Travel catering players to launch new products at WTCEME during Airport Show 2017

Global travel and onboard catering products and service providers will launch and showcase a wide range of their new and innovative products at the fourth edition of World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo Middle East (WTCEME), to be held from 15^th to 17^th May, 2017, which they consider an ideal launchpad and a platform that provides them tremendous opportunities to connect with aviation industry players worldwide. 
 
Co-located with the Airport Show 2017, WTCEME, held under the Patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, will offer its largest ever platform to global travel catering players with an expected over 70 exhibitors and more than 15 per cent increase in the number of visitors this year.
 
Demand for travel catering and onboard services in the Middle East continues to increase backed by the consistent and strong growth in the region’s aviation sector. 
 
Saeed Mohammed, CEO, Emirates Flight Catering, EKFC, said: “We are excited about the potential for growth in the Middle East travel catering segment. The rise of low-cost carriers and stability of our main carriers means Dubai and the broader region is more accessible and affordable to visit than ever before, and we’re seeing that positively reflected in visitor numbers to Dubai.” 
 
The growing interest in the region as a tourism destination, particularly with the launch of new attractions, necessitates a deeper understanding of the needs and preferences of airline passengers and drives companies to introduce new and innovative inflight products and services. 
 
“There has also been a shift in focus in terms of the type of holidays offered in the region, and the vast range of things visitors can do while here. Dubai, for example, now offers a huge range of family friendly attractions - Dubai Parks and Resorts, IMG World and the many waterparks, to name a few. All of this adds to the attraction of the region,” said Saeed.
 
“For us, turning this potential into results means deeply understanding what our airline customers value and expect, and delivering a memorable product and service that leaves a lasting impression on them and their customers,” he added.
 
In its 4^th edition, WTCEME will bring together over 70 exhibitors. The expo will also benefit from access to over 7,500 trade visitors who attend the Airport Show and Global Airport Leaders’ Forum. 
 
“We are proud to support a growing, local event like WTCEME, to help to bring the local industry together and encourage business from outside the region”, said Penny Butler, Radnor Hills International Sales Manager. “We are one of the first to introduce this brand-new drinks concept to the on-board hospitality market. Our pure juice range Fruella and the UK’s leading School Compliant drinks range Radnor Fruits are all ideal new options for caterers on-board and we will be introducing this new format at this year’s WTCEME. 
 
WTCEME provides us the perfect platform to launch our brand-new pack formats specifically designed for on-board consumption. Being able to meet with local buyers for this fast-growing industry is extremely exciting for us.’’
 
The growth of aviation industry in the Middle East has been generating tremendous interest from international players. The Middle East is estimated to record an annual growth of 5 per cent and see an extra 258 million passengers a year on routes to, from and within the region by 2035, according to the latest statistics from International Air Transport Association (IATA). 
 
Airlines in the region are also actively pursuing expansion. The growth of the sector will fuel opportunities for the travel catering segment. The region is also expected to be the fastest-growing in the world for the airline industry this year, according to Moody’s recent forecasts. An increase of 10 per cent is expected in the number of seats in the region, which will increase demand for travel catering requirements.
 
Anaïs Maillard, Export Business Developer, France-based PLEIN NORD/ BAYART INNOVATIONS, said: “We are highly optimistic on the potential of travel catering industry in the Middle East countries. We have indeed observed a growth in the airline sector and have received many more requests from Middle East customers recently, which is why participating in WTCEME is very important for us. Through WTCEME we will benefit from direct proximity with airlines companies, discuss about new projects and to know better their needs. It's a real opportunity to show them our latest collection. WTCEME is the leading global travel catering event and we consider it a must to be there to further build our business network.”
 
Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Exhibitions Middle East, said: “WTCEME has established itself as an ideal platform that connects travel catering and onboard services providers from across the world, while offering tremendous opportunities to tap into the growing travel catering requirements in the Middle East. Being co-located with another leading aviation event like Airport Show further increases business opportunities for our exhibitors.”
Exhibitors will highlight a wide range of travel catering services and solutions, including food, snacks, beverages, food packaging, processing, preparation and preservation equipment, tableware and chinaware, accessories, toiletries and travel amenities at WTCEME. 
 
The expo’s visitors will include chefs, consultants, food & beverage managers, health & safety managers, in-flight service managers, operations managers, procurement managers, production managers and purchasing managers from airports, hospitality, airlines, charter and business jet operators, cruise operators, flight catering and large scale catering companies.