Since its launch three years ago, WTCE has established itself as an international hub where the airline and rail elite can come together to discuss the travel catering and onboard services industry’s most significant evolutions.
The World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) is set to return to Hamburg on 14 – 16th April 2015. The world-class exhibition will boast plenty of opportunities for professionals from across the air and rail industry to network and discuss new business partnerships. In 2015 there will be exciting new content, as well as a host of first-time exhibitors offering visitors plenty of food for thought.
In a recent report, Oxford Economics predicts that over the next decade the global travel industry will grow at 5.4% year on year – faster than world GDP. Additionally, Mintel’s annual comparative audit report of American lifestyles suggests that renewed consumer spending is in line with pre-recession trends. With the report outlining that vacations and tourism is one of the spending categories poised to show the greatest growth over the next five years, increasing by an estimated 27.3%, WTCE – the world’s largest event dedicated to travel catering, passenger comfort and buy-on-board products – is the principal global meeting place at a key time for the US market; when the onboard services sector is booming.
Reflecting this boom, the onboard services industry is constantly evolving to keep pace with changing consumer preferences. Meal personalization and celebrity endorsed recipes, clever packaging, ethically sourced cups and cutlery, and a wide-ranging retail offering are just some areas where operators can add value to boost profits and gain a competitive edge.
Since its launch three years ago, WTCE has established itself as an international hub where the airline and rail elite can come together to discuss the travel catering and onboard services industry’s most significant evolutions. The 2015 show will bring together professionals specializing in a wide variety of products and services from across North America such as Freshorize Limited, Global Inflight Products and new exhibitors Sky Cuisine and RMT Global Partners. Visitors can enjoy the offerings of exhibitors from a range of countries as diverse as Lithuania, New Zealand, South Africa, Thailand and the UK. Suppliers will display the full range of catering and onboard services including food and drink, passenger comfort, hygiene products, travel retail, packaging, galley equipment and more. With 41 new exhibitors already confirmed, visitors will be able to even further expand their networks and discover fresh ideas for the onboard offering.
Mark Russell, Vice President of returning US exhibitor, Linstol commented, “WTCE Hamburg provides a unique global platform for Linstol to network and exhibit enhancements made to our line of headsets and other cabin comfort products. Teams from each of our international offices attend year after year because we get so much in return. As we continually strive to innovate, the feedback we receive as well as the face-to-face interaction with both old friends and new holds enormous value.”
In 2015, WTCE will expand its remit with the launch of the new Travel Retail Zone, reflecting the huge growth this sector has experienced in recent years. In this area buyers can meet with suppliers of sale-on-board items and discuss how they can boost their offering to appeal to the modern traveller. A product trail will also lead attendees to other exhibitors at the show with a travel retail offering, making it easy for them to target their visit and come away with plenty of inspiration.
Visitors can also take advantage of the Taste of Travel theatre where they can stay up to date with advancements in onboard services and travel catering. Some of the industry’s most sought after names will host interactive sessions including culinary demonstrations, product tastings and insights into key topics, including vegetarian and vegan meals onboard, a tea masterclass and African cuisine.
Archana Sharma, WTCE Event Manager commented: “The US on-board services industry is poised for considerable growth as passenger numbers on air, rail and cruise all increase. WTCE has become the global meeting place for the travel catering and onboard services industry and there’s no doubt that the show will offer US and Canadian visitors an unrivalled opportunity to discuss the latest industry issues, as well as the latest developments in the industry on the show floor.
“Our visitors hail from all four corners of the globe and use the exhibition as a way to meet with colleagues, discuss business deals and stay up to date with the latest trends and innovations. This year we’ve added a new dimension with the introduction of the Travel Retail Zone, allowing our visitors to gain an overview of the entire onboard services industry.”
In addition to the exhibition, the highly regarded Passenger Experience Conference runs on Monday 13th April, the day before the exhibition opens. Acting as the industry’s premier networking and business forum, the core theme for 2015 will be on building flexibility into the cabin experience to satisfy passenger needs and expectations. A dedicated session on hospitality, service and retail will explore how airlines can improve their offering and stay in line with trends on the ground.
After an information-packed day at the conference, delegates can join exhibitors and visitors at the Industry Networking Party where an evening of entertainment and cocktails will allow them to network in a relaxed environment.
WTCE is co-located with Aircraft Interiors Expo, the world’s largest event dedicated to sourcing the latest innovations, technologies and products for the cabin interiors, inflight entertainment and passenger comfort industries.
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
