The world-class exhibition offers a unique platform for professionals from across the air and rail industry to meet over 300 suppliers, source the latest products, attend a wide range of networking events and view demonstrations from world-class chefs.
LONDON – Meeting modern day passenger needs through a personalized travel experience will be one of the key topics up for discussion at the World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) when it returns to Hamburg on 5-7th April 2016. The world-class exhibition offers a unique platform for professionals from across the air and rail industry to meet over 300 suppliers, source the latest products, attend a wide range of networking events and view demonstrations from world-class chefs.
WTCE is part of Passenger Experience Week 2016, which kicks off with the highly regarded Passenger Experience Conference on Monday 4 April. Speaking at the conference, Mark Allen, Vice President, Business Development and Operations for US company Air Meals, will explore the challenges of creating a more personalized journey for passengers and how technology is aiding service delivery.
A sneak preview of the discussion focusing on service fulfilment has revealed why the airline industry needs an exchange platform to connect customized offerings to travellers.
“Airline guests increasingly want to customize their journey by pre-purchasing meals, amenities and duty free retail products. Airline ancillary revenue is set to reach $59.2 billion worldwide in 2016, representing an increase of 163% since 2010. In previous years, this revenue has been generated from non-ticket sales of hotel and rental car bookings. Today, we’re increasingly treating the travel experience as a concierge might. Examples of this include: UAL, which aids travellers by providing access to Uber via mobile, and Air Baltic, which vends everything from roses to chocolates onboard through to taxis or bike rentals on arrival; not to mention Turkish Airlines which now provides access to bus tours of Istanbul for travellers with a longer layover!“
Now celebrating its fifth year, WTCE will bring together professionals specializing in a wide variety of products and services from across North America such as returning exhibitors, Freshorize Limited and Global Inflight Products and new exhibitors Buddy’s Kitchen Inc, Classic City Bakeries and Intervine Inc.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
