Hotels on Show

The first Hotel Show Ethiopia, organised by Ozzie Trading and Consult, was held at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) from October 10 to 12, 2013.  The event, officially opened by Tadelech Dalecho, the state minister of Culture and Tourism, inspired by the Hotelex Shanghai Expo, and was attended by 65 organisations. They set up booths, 25 of which were hotels, with the rest consisting of companies that supply a variety of goods for the hospitality industry. There were suppliers for safety gear, kitchen and bedroom amenities, furniture, software and security products. In addition, representatives from tourism and hospitality schools, as well as tourism associations, were present. Artists also displayed and sold paintings at the event, with prices ranging from 3,000 Br to 100,000 Br. Kumneger Teketel, managing director of Ozzie, indicated the exhibition took one year and 1.5 million Br to organise, including rent for the hall and security. More than 3,000 people arrived for the first day of the exhibit, with a total of 15,000 visitors expected over the three days of the event. Entrance was free for visitors, though invitation cards were required. The next Hotel Expo Show will be held in May 2014 at the Millennium Hall and registration is already underway. Ozzie plans to make the exhibition a biannual event.