BEIRUT, 10 November 2026 – HORECA Lebanon opened today at Seaside Arena, launching its 30th edition and marking three decades as the annual business meeting place for the region’s hospitality and foodservice industries.
Organized by Hospitality Services, the milestone edition brings together more than 400 exhibitors and 2,500 brands across three halls and 13,000 sqm. Over four days, it expects 24,000 professional visitors, including chefs, restaurateurs, producers, distributors, architects, interior designers and industry leaders.
The opening ceremony was attended by Minister of Tourism H.E. Laura Lahoud, Minister of Agriculture H.E. Dr. Nizar Hani, Head of the Lebanese Economic Bodies and former minister Mohammad Choucair, Beirut Governor Judge Marwan Abboud, and a number of ambassadors and presidents of chambers, associations, councils and syndicates, alongside industry leaders, business professionals and media. The ceremony was hosted by journalist Lea Fayad.
Joumana Dammous-Salamé, co-founder and CEO of Hospitality Services, delivered a speech in which she said: “Today is a special moment in a journey that spans thirty years. We are not simply opening a new edition of HORECA; we are celebrating thirty years as the meeting place of the hospitality sector. When we launched HORECA in 1994, we had a clear vision: to create a place where hospitality, foodservice and food industries meet to exchange ideas, build relationships and prepare for the future together. We started in Lebanon, but we exported HORECA’s success and the expertise of the Lebanese industry to the entire region.”
She added: “HORECA has never been just an exhibition. It is the annual business meeting place of our sector, a launchpad, a place of learning and, for many, the beginning of an entire professional career. Despite the very difficult circumstances we are living through, nothing could stop us from organizing HORECA. We kept the flame lit. This edition has its eyes on tomorrow: celebrating our history means continuing to challenge ourselves and opening the doors to the future. In honor of my father, Nouhad Dammous, my mentor and the mentor of many, I am pleased to announce the launch of the Nouhad Dammous Award for Excellence.”
In her speech, Minister of Tourism H.E. Laura Lahoud said: “HORECA has become a place where hoteliers, restaurateurs, tourism professionals, producers, suppliers and chefs meet, and where the Lebanese showcase what they create and export to the region. It has also become an essential reference for us in understanding the sector: where it is growing, where it is struggling and what it needs. The message has always been clear: the state must be present alongside those who continue to work and invest in the most difficult circumstances. HORECA is one of the best examples of this capacity: thirty editions of meetings, business and ideas, and a Lebanese brand that has also travelled to other Arab markets. Our mission is to protect this capacity and give it security, management and policies.”
Minister of Agriculture H.E. Dr. Nizar Hani said: “Wherever we go abroad, most recently in the Sultanate of Oman, the Ministry of Agriculture and everyone we meet are proud of HORECA and consider it an important stop in their countries. The Ministry of Agriculture takes an active part in HORECA, together with the cooperatives, in a number of events, and we launch initiatives from HORECA. Tourism and progress in the country need stability.”
Speaking about the vision for the sector, journalist and economic expert Maurice Matta said: “HORECA is not just an exhibition; it is a platform that brings the people of the sector together under one roof. Thirty years is the result of effort and hard work, and HORECA has become a product exported to Riyadh, Oman, Kuwait and Jordan. In 2025, tourism contributed more than 20 percent of GDP and was linked to 357,000 direct and indirect jobs. The basic answer comes down to two words, trust and stability, because stability protects investment. And our people, not the dollar, remain our main capital.”
For the first time, three curated spaces bring creatives into HORECA, connecting the craft behind the plate and the room with the professionals who build them. In From Soil to Table, ceramists showcase contemporary craftsmanship. Chair Mania sees designers reimagine the chair through Lebanese heritage and modern design. Anatomy of a Meal has contemporary photographers capture the art of cooking.
Made-in-Lebanon products take the spotlight at HORECA Innovations, curated by a panel of experts, which presents more than 25 products across food, beverage, equipment and services. The Rising Stars category pays tribute to smaller producers making an impact, while Judges’ Picks are selected and a People’s Choice Award is also announced.
The Hosted Buyers’ Program welcomes 25 influential buyers from the region seeking Lebanese products and partnerships, while the Job Meeting Point connects hoteliers, restaurateurs and recruiters with professionals looking for new opportunities.
HORECA Talks gathers more than 100 guest speakers for daily panel discussions on the trends, opportunities and challenges shaping the industry in Lebanon and the region, and HORECA Studio adds masterclasses and sessions with renowned chefs and experts, as well as book signings and discussions.
Talent is in the spotlight throughout, with more than 200 participants competing before over 35 international judges, experts and celebrity guests across the four days. The Hospitality Salon Culinaire and the Junior Chef Competition take place at the HORECA Stage. The HORECA Theatre hosts the HORECA Barista Competition, recently certified by the Specialty Coffee Association, as well as the Latte Art Competition, the Lebanese Bartenders Competition and the Mocktail Competition.
Across the halls, visitors will find food and beverage products, from meat, seafood, dairy and bakery to coffee, wine, spirits and soft drinks, alongside hotel and kitchen equipment, furniture and interior design, tableware, linens, technology, packaging, and consultancy, recruitment and education services.
HORECA Lebanon is supported by the Ministries of Tourism, Economy and Trade, Industry and Agriculture, the Association of Lebanese Industrialists, the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, the Syndicate of Restaurant Owners, the Syndicate of Hotel Owners and the Lebanese Franchise Association.
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HORECA Lebanon | 10–13 November 2026 | 3:00–9:00 PM | Seaside Arena, Beirut. Program, registration and updates are available on horecashow.com and the official HORECA Lebanon mobile app.
About Hospitality Services: Founded over 30 years ago, Hospitality Services organizes hospitality and foodservice exhibitions and events across the Middle East and beyond, including HORECA Lebanon, HORECA Jordan, HORECA Kuwait, HORECA Riyadh, HORECA Oman, Salon du Chocolat et de la Pâtisserie (Dubai and Riyadh) and Whisky Live Beirut. Its publishing and media platforms include Hospitality News Middle East, Lebanon Traveler and Taste & Flavors.