Euromonitor forecasts that global consumer foodservice is to grow by 24 per cent to US$3.7 trillion by 2023. The Asia Pacific markets are expected to make up half of that. Once a pipe dream for businesses in the region, digitalisation and automation are now impacting consumer experience in a big way, from enhancing business efficiency to completely changing the guest experience as we know it. New at FHA-HoReCa, held March 3 to 6,  2020 at Singapore Expo, the Hospitality 4.0 pavilion will be a platform for solution providers and start-ups to demonstrate innovative technologies, and visitors to learn best practices from subject experts.

Overview of Hospitality 4.0 pavilion design (Photo: FHA)

A showcase of the future, the Hospitality 4.0 pavilion conceptualised by WY-TO is a human-centric, sustainable vision of how disruptive technologies, robotics, VR (virtual reality), and AI (artificial intelligence) will be seamlessly integrated to enhance the personal experience.

Designed with organic shapes, smooth circulations, see-through systems and natural materials, this highly crafted ensemble is perceived as a ‘Forest’. This feeling is strengthened by the start-up pods, envisioned as the ‘seeds of tomorrow’ growing along the visitor’s journey through the area. The vertical rhythm given by the wooden elements through the entire pavilion reminds the visitors of a walk in the woods, passing by a forest clearing as well as three singular shelters – highlighting top and trending innovations from across the globe for the hospitality sector.

The biophilic and futuristic design of the Hospitality 4.0 pavilion is inspired from nature and offers a whole range of diverse spaces and experiences:

• Start-up Village – a community of creators and innovative businesses displaying new solutions such as 3D food printing, self-service equipment, waste management systems and more within the HoReCa sector.
• Showcase areas – product and service demonstrations such as service robots, AR menus to remote controlled kitchens within the Hotel, Kitchen and Restaurant segments.
• Dreamcatcher Theatre – industry thought leaders will share insights on topics ranging from design to new technologies, sustainability to market opportunities and trends. Confirmed speakers include senior representatives from ASOLIDPLAN,  Fairmont Singapore & Swissôtel The Stamford, Ovum, Sodexo, The Ritz-Carlton, TripAdvisor and WWF to name a few.

Inaugural Hotel Innovation Challenge Asia 2020

For the first time, FHA and the Singapore Hotel Association, with strong support from the Singapore Tourism Board, will be organising the Hotel Innovation Challenge Asia 2020. Start-ups and entrepreneurs will get to pitch their proposed solutions to potential adopters on the show floor. The challenge seeks to solve perennial issues such as housekeeping, manpower crunch, service delivery and sustainability faced by the hotel sector through innovation.

“With the extensive outreach of FHA, we hope that the Hotel Innovation Challenge Asia 2020 will see many new and exciting ideas and solutions that the industry can adopt to enhance guest experience and help hotels meet the manpower shortage. We look forward to seeing the shortlisted submissions being presented and shared at FHA-HoReCa,” said Ms. Margaret Heng, Executive Director, Singapore Hotel Association.

“Technology advancement has made it possible to fast track ideas that normally take decades to bear fruit. Noting the importance for industry professionals to have their fingers on the pulse of innovation, we implemented Hospitality 4.0 zone for the very purpose of demonstrating the ways advancements in technology can make a difference in the foodservice and hospitality value chain,” said Mr. Martyn Cox, Event Director, Hospitality, Food & Beverage, Informa Markets, organiser of FHA-HoReCa.