World Travel Catering & Onboard Services 2024

Travel Catering Expo thrives in being the largest dedicated platform for the travel catering industry in the Middle East, Africa and Indian Sub-Continent. This trade show is an ideal gateway for the global suppliers, caterers and experts of the field to expand their business and talk about the current challenges that this industry faces.

As the great minds get together to brainstorm in exclusive discussion panels and in-depth seminars, about 7,000 like-minded trade visitors come together to promote and network at this three day event. The stand designs are colorful and full of picturesque backdrops, they are also avid competitors among one other to get the stakeholders attention.

World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo, as its name indicates, is an exhibition dedicated to the products and services in the airport and airport catering industry. Held annually in Dubai, is the perfect platform in the Middle East, Africa and Indian Sub-Continent to meet the leading suppliers, caterers and experts. Last Week took place 2016 edition (May 9-11) so we have interviewed the organisers in order to know more about the novelties and details of this international event.

What stands out World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo Middle East above other similar fairs?

World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo Middle East is the largest dedicated platform for the travel catering industry in the Middle East, Africa and Indian Sub-Continent. The show provides a valuable interface for global suppliers to meet with the fastest growing airlines in the world, understand their growth ambitions and buying procedures and develop a valuable business development opportunity. The show also provides an unparalleled pre-scheduled meetings programme that guarantees meetings with buyers for all the exhibitors - 981 meetings were arranged for exhibitors at WTCEME 2016 across the three days.

The Show connects the leading global suppliers, caterers and experts under the same roof, what represents World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo Middle East in the annual calendar of the field?

WTCEME is an extension of the leading global World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo event that takes place in Hamburg each year. This gives our customers the choice to attend WTCE Middle East if they are looking to expand in this rapidly growing market as well as attending the original event in Hamburg, thus opening new opportunities for them in fast-growing markets.

What novelties will we see on 2016's edition?

The 2016 event attracted 55 companies from 19 countries, including the latest products and technologies in gourmet food, beverages, tableware, commercial catering equipment, comfort products, food packaging and processing and much more. The event also featured live cooking stations, food sampling areas and an exclusive wine tasting area with leading global brands.

An exhibition like World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo Middle East attracts companies from Middle East, Africa and Indian Sub-Continent... Can you give some tips for those exhibiting in Dubai for the first time?

Dubai is a modern, international city that hosts some of the world’s leading sports, entertainment and lifestyle events, and offers tourists a host of activities all year round. The city offers a wide range of hotel and dining options, white beaches with excellent water sports activities, extraordinary shopping opportunities and enough activities to keep you busy for months. Dubai also has excellent public transport, with more than 50 bus lines, easily available taxis, water transport and a Metro.

World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo Middle East will be held at the impressive Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre (DICEC) previously called Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC). Its new Trade Centre Plaza connects Dubai World Trade Centre metro station with DICEC. The Plaza features world-class amenities including retail outlets, restaurants and coffee shops.

Who must attend the show?

World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo Middle East is attended by catering and hospitality professionals, amongst them: representatives from airlines, airports, chefs, consultants, F&B managers, In-Flight service managers, catering companies, cruise operator and purchasing managers.

Give us some reasons why we cannot miss World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo Middle East.

WTCEME is the region’s largest dedicated platform for the travel catering industry. Bringing international exhibitors and high-quality visitors and buyers under the same roof create opportunities which cannot be seen at other events. Take part of the business matching programme called Business Connect and interact with the buyers that would usually be out of reach.

Finally, can you give us some participation results from the last edition?

The 2016 edition saw the participation of 55 exhibiting companies from 19 countries; 1,453 attendees from 59 countries; 50 Hosted Buyers from 14 countries; representing over 23 aviation authorities.

Travel Catering Expo (TCE), within a year of its launch, has emerged as the Middle East’s largest dedicated exhibition for the products, services and technologies required for the travel catering industry.

What are the novelties of the next edition?

As a co-located event of the 15th Airport Show, the B2B platform will focus on the catering requirements at regional airports, featuring a full range of products and services relevant to the travel catering industry - from catering, packaging, transportation and refrigeration equipment to crockery, cutlery, food, snack foods and beverages.

A bigger line-up of new entrants and established companies are showcasing products and services essential to the region’s growing travel catering sector.

3 reasons to visit Travel Catering Expo

Travel Catering Expo 2015 features more innovative, Halal, gourmet and artisan products designed specifically for on-board catering to serve passengers with diverse cultures and high expectations flying through the region.

• Look for global brands that could help your airline stack up to the competition and entice new passengers.

• Experience the latest products and services that match and enhance your airline’s signature passenger experience.

• Find regional distributors to better manage the flow of your supplies.

What are the benefits of exhibit here?

Take advantage of our tailored networking platform designed to maximize your business opportunities. Pre-event, you will be able to match your specific requirements with exhibitor products and services and arrange your business meetings-giving you direct access to a targeted set of companies.

• Connect with global companies and suppliers before the show.

• Book meetings with key exhibitors with the help of a business matchmaking professional.

• Meet, Connect and Do business at Travel Catering Expo 2015.

Some participation results from the last edition

• 40 exhibitors

• 27 hosted buyers from 14 countries

Participation forecasts

• 1,800 sqm

• 3 Networking Platforms

• 2,000 trade visitors from 20 countries

• 36 hosted buyers

• 19 authorities from 14 countries