• Hostelco 2026 will intensify its strategy to attract buyers in European and Latin American countries. 
• It has just revalidated its collaboration agreement with CEHAT to boost the competitiveness of the hotel industry. 

From 23 to 26 March 2026, Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue will host the 22nd edition of Hostelco, the International Trade Fair for Hospitality, Catering, and Community Equipment. It returns with Alimentaria to take another step forward and become the only trade fair platform representing the entire retail and food service value chain. A call to action that seeks to respond to the needs of the industry and multiply business opportunities for all productive segments that make up the Horeca and Hospitality ecosystem.  

Thus, in this upcoming edition, Hostelco strengthens its international leadership by evolving alongside Alimentaria, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, to become the only global platform that comprehensively addresses all the needs of the retail, hospitality, and food service ecosystem, covering the entire value chain: from food production and distribution to equipment, technology, and services for the modern hospitality industry. Under the banner “Focus on Foodservice Business,” Hostelco 2026 reaffirms its roadmap based on two strategic pillars: the development of the hospitality industry and its potential international projection.  

The show will once again structure its offering around five key sectors for the hospitality industry: Fully Equipped with equipment, machinery, and accessories; Setting (tableware and service); Atmosphere (interior design, decoration, textile, furniture, and wellness solutions); Tech(technology, software, and entertainment); and Coffee, Bakery, and Pastry, a sector shared with Alimentaria and which, following the success of its first edition, intends to double its exhibition space. 

Thus, Hostelco 2026 will once again feature the industry’s most prominent companies, offering a representative sample of the diverse, productive, and service sectors within it. Some of the companies that have already confirmed their participation are Mainho, Pira Charcoal Ovens and Barbecues S.L., Welbilt, Petit Forestier España, S.L., Josper, Mibrasa, Unox Profesional, Industrias Betik, S.A., Talgast SP. Z.O.O., Giorik Spa, Chabas Frio SLU, Agua Km Zero, Repa a parts Town Unlimited Company, Socamel España, Gresilva, innovations in grills, and Mimcook, among many others.  

Celine Pérez, the event’s director, emphasizes that “the main objective is to make Hostelco the essential meeting point for the entire hospitality, retail, and foodservice ecosystem. To this end, we rely on the collaboration of the main sector associations and institutions that act as drivers for the most representative firms in the industry”. 

Great alliances

In addition to its significant corporate participation, another example of Hostelco’s leadership is its ability to build alliances with major national and international associations and institutions. In this regard, the trade fair has just reaffirmed its collaboration agreement with CEHAT (Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation), with the aim of continuing to boost the competitiveness of the hotel industry. 

It also has the support of key entities such as Hostelería de España, Instituto Tecnológico Hotelero (ITH), Food Service España, Food Service Institute, FEDIS Horeca, Asociación Española del Café, Fórum Café, AECOC, Restauración Colectiva, Caterdata, Marcas de Restauración, Club Clave Food & Beverage, European FoodService Summit, and FACYRE, among others. 

In line with its goal of boosting business growth and facilitating the expansion of new markets, Hostelco 2026 will intensify its strategy to attract buyers in European and Latin American countries. At the same time, it will boost business opportunities for the national channel with tools such as the new “Distributor Guide”, conceived as the largest professional directory in the sector in Spain. 

Speaker trends and challenges 

In terms of activities, The Horeca Hub will bring together leading experts in the sector to share knowledge, generate inspiration, and anticipate changes and developments in the industry. In addition to being a unique space for creating business opportunities for distributors. 

Hostelco 2026 will also offer insight into the challenges facing the sector in an increasingly interconnected and digitalized world where artificial intelligence and robotics are beginning to play a key role in cooking and service. The shortage of qualified personnel and talent retention, along with sustainability, will also play a fundamental role in the present and future of the sector, driving companies to rethink their management models to remain competitive. 

Hospitality, an economic and social engine

Accounting for 6.7 percent of national GDP in 2023, the hospitality sector is a key component of the Spanish economic fabric. In a context marked by more conscious consumers, a demanding regulatory environment, and the need for sustainable digital transformation, Hostelco offers the keys to rethinking the entire value chain and turning challenges into opportunities. 

The last edition of Alimentaria & Hostelco, held in March 2024, was attended by more than 3,200 exhibiting companies from 68 countries, and was attended by 107,900 visiting professionals from 120 countries.