GROWING consumer affluence in Asia Pacific has played a key role in the robust expansion of Food & Hotel Asia (FHA), a biennial food & hospitality trade event in Singapore that combines elements of exhibition, conference and culinary competition.

Comprising five specialised trade shows – FoodAsia, Bakery&Pastry, HotelAsia, HospitalityStyleAsia and Hospitality Technology – FHA2012 will span across nine halls at Singapore Expo, featuring 52 international pavilions and more than 2,600 exhibitors from 65 countries/regions, up from 2,400 in 2010.

More than 54,000 government and trade representatives from 90 countries/regions are expected to attend the event, which runs from April 17-20.

Speaking to TTG Asia e-Daily, FHA organiser Singapore Exhibition Services chief executive, Stephen Tan, said: “Even with the growth of FHA this year, we have not even reached the ceiling.”

“Consumer affluence (has been) creeping into countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines, and numerous states or provinces in China in the last few years, shifting the trend towards a desire for imported food and quality restaurants. That affluence has also created demand for better hotel services.”

“Wine & Sprits Asia, which broke off from FHA in the last edition and is now run independently alongside FHA, is seeing 20 per cent more exhibitors,” he added.

When asked if the event would need to be shifted to a larger venue in 2014, Tan said: “We have an understanding with Singapore Expo that Hall 10 will be at our disposal for the 2014 edition, which means we will have an additional capacity for 10,000 pax. Plus, we can utilise Singapore Expo’s new MAX Atria.”

“Frankly, there are no alternative venues for FHA. Even if we were to combine (spaces at) Marina Bay Sands and Suntec (Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre), they would still not be able to support FHA.”