Thailand has reaffirmed its status as Asia’s leading hub for the hotel, restaurant, café, and catering (HoReCa) industry with the successful completion of THAIFEX – HOREC ASIA 2025.
Held from March 5–7 at IMPACT Exhibition Center, Muang Thong Thani, the event was inaugurated by Mr. Pichai Naripthaphan, Minister of Commerce, and jointly organized by the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), and Koelnmesse (KM) from Germany.
Now in its second edition, the trade show exceeded expectations, generating over 4 billion baht in trade value and attracting more than 20,000 visitors, buyers, and industry professionals from around the world.
Driving Growth in Thailand’s HoReCa Industry
During the opening ceremony, Minister Pichai highlighted the continued expansion of Thailand’s hospitality sector, crediting the country’s strong tourism industry and post-pandemic recovery. He emphasized that THAIFEX – HOREC ASIA 2025 provided an essential platform for businesses across the entire HoReCa supply chain, enabling them to showcase innovations, form strategic partnerships, and explore new market opportunities.
The Thai government has been actively strengthening international trade through new and expanded Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). The recent THAI-EFTA FTA, Thailand’s first FTA with the European Union, along with the THAI-Bhutan FTA, are expected to enhance trade prospects.
Additionally, Thailand is in the final stages of securing FTAs with Israel, the UAE, South Korea, Canada, and the UK, which will further attract foreign investment and benefit the HoReCa sector.
A Comprehensive Showcase of HoReCa Innovations
Spanning 27,000 sq.m. of exhibition space, this year’s event featured over 460 exhibitors from 25 countries, making it even larger than the inaugural edition. The exhibition covered all key aspects of the industry, including bakery and ice cream, café and bar, cleaning and laundry, dining, furnishing, kitchen equipment, services, technology, and wellness, with a special HoReCa Food zone showcasing the latest culinary innovations.
Exciting Competitions and Industry Highlights
The event also hosted a series of engaging competitions and industry showcases. The ASEAN Barista Team Championship brought together top baristas from across the region, while the Thailand Ultimate Housekeeping Challenge tested the skills and efficiency of hospitality professionals. The THAIFEX – HOREC Xperiential Zone provided attendees with insights into emerging industry trends, and the Asian Pizza Show Academy featured live demonstrations from renowned pizza chefs.
The THAIFEX – HOREC Academy was another key highlight, offering expert-led seminars, workshops, live cooking demonstrations, and interactive sessions covering a wide range of industry topics. These sessions provided valuable insights into the latest developments in hospitality, food service, and technology.
International Media Participation
As part of its global media outreach, the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce, Thailand, hosted a select group of international journalists to provide worldwide coverage of THAIFEX – HOREC ASIA 2025.
Among them was M. Matt, Editor of Food Business Gulf & Middle East , who was invited from the United Arab Emirates to attend and report on the event. His live digital coverage offered industry professionals valuable insights into the latest advancements in the HoReCa sector, further reinforcing the publication’s role in connecting businesses across international markets.
The event also featured high-level business engagements and strategic trade deals, further solidifying Thailand’s reputation as a regional leader in the hospitality and food service industries.
THAIFEX – HOREC ASIA 2025 concluded on a high note, paving the way for continued growth and innovation in the years ahead.
THAIFEX – HOREC ASIA 2026 will take place in Bangkok from 11-13 March 2026.
