Hostelco, organized by Fira de Barcelona and FELAC - Spanish Federation of Associations of Manufacturers of Machinery for Hospitality, Collectivities and Related Industries, has become one of the most recognized events in the sector in Spain and Europe.
In the 2006 version, more than 2,300 companies attended, which occupied 64,000 m² of the Montjuïc site. 80% of the 2,300 exhibitors came from Spain, and the remaining 20% from 40 countries with Italy at the head, followed by Portugal and France. 10% of the more than 98,000 visitors were foreigners, coming from 104 countries. 79.5% came from the EU, with France in first place, followed by Portugal, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany.
This year, the Salon will present attendees with equipment and machinery for the hospitality industry; tableware and table service; management, control, IT and security; textiles and uniforms; furniture and decoration, in addition, four spaces will be given a special role: Expolimp, dedicated to professional cleaning; Coffee area, with the most complete offer of products and services; Intervending, with the most innovative proposals of automatic distribution and Food Service, food sector for the Horeca channel (Hospitality, Catering and Catering).
In Hostelco 2008 different activities are planned for all attendees and their tastes. The Salon will present the new space "Hotel Universe" where you can see the latest in hospitality on five continents through exhibitions and audiovisuals, in addition to teaching the different aspects that make up the concept of hote: the universality of the hotel, design, technology, sustainability and the human being.
Hostelco 2008 will also host the second edition of the European Pizza Championship, where almost 40 participants, from all over Europe, will develop different tests to achieve the title of Champion. There will also be the final of the National Barista Competition, organized by the Coffee Cultural Forum; and the Window Cleaner Contest, among other innovative and entertaining activities, as well as an extensive program of technical conferences related to each sector.
Additionally, the different actors of the hospitality industry will be able to know first line the trends of the sector and its advances such as: faster machinery and with a higher level of productivity, optimization of spaces thanks to compact equipment, energy efficiency through energy consumption economizer systems, water and decreased sound levels, among others.
According to a study carried out by FELAC, the 168 companies that make up the federation invoiced 2,190 million euros in 2007, 6.9% more than in 2006. Exports grew by more than 710 million euros and increasing by 12.4% compared to the previous year.
