With a higher volume of travellers visiting and passing through the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) than ever before, international catering companies believe the region is ripe for sustained investment, according to experts gathering for a major international exhibition and conference.
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), International passenger forecasts place the Middle East as the largest region for growth worldwide. Forecasts indicate an increase of 6.7 percent from 2005-2009, with average growth of 5.7 percent per year.
Organised by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), the Inaugural MENA Travel Catering Exhibition is a major success even before its doors open on September 4, with a significant number of exhibitors participating. While the exhibition’s primary focus is travel catering, the profile also includes travel amenities and accessories.
In total, 123 companies from 25 countries will be exhibiting at the show, with 72 percent of stands taken by international suppliers from outside the region. The geographic profile of visitors at the exhibition will cover markets in the Middle East extending into North Africa, the Indian subcontinent and Eastern Europe.
Such is the high level of international interest in the regional market, a number of companies are aiming to use the exhibition to launch new products, including Godiva Chocolatier and Suzumo Technical Supplies and Services Company of Japan.
The opportunity for travel catering suppliers has expanded in recent years with the launch of new airlines and major investment in the service levels of existing aviation groups. Coupled with the proposed growth of ferry and cruise traffic and the increasing interconnections of rail and road networks, industry experts believe that the Middle East is set to be the world’s next major growth market.
For the aviation industry alone, recent research from PAX International suggests that overall spending will be US$500 million per annum for 2006. The development of international airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Muscat, Kuwait City, Manama and Jeddah will grow the market further over the next decade.
In addition, the redevelopment of cruise and ferry terminals, furthered by an increase in routes between India, Europe and the Middle East, is seeing an increasing number of catering companies launch operations in the region.
As well as the ongoing expansion in the numbers of travellers through the region, rising expectations surrounding the quality of food and service provided for premier-class travellers has also increased the profit potential of the market. Cruise and aviation companies have recognised that food plays an important role in attracting high-end customers, and are investing accordingly.
Such is the global interest in the MENA market, the International Travel Catering Association (ITCA) has opted to hold its Middle East conference alongside the exhibition, discussing the regions rapidly-growing market. ITCA events have already been established in Europe and Asia Pacific.
“We believe that both the exhibition and conference are occurring at the optimum time for companies looking to increase their presence in the Middle East, African and Indian markets, and our members have responded extremely positively to both the location and the content,” said Lee Walton, Company Secretary, International Travel Catering Association (ITCA).
The conference has attracted experts from leading companies including Emirates, Kuwait Aviation Services, Dubai Tourism and the Sharjah Airport Authority who will present and discuss various regional issues on the 5 - 6 September.
“As an inaugural exhibition, MENA Travel Catering 2006 has definitely responded to a strong need in the market, bringing together major international suppliers with local partners and shining a light on the rapid growth of markets like Dubai,” said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre.
“We look forward to welcoming exhibitors, visitors and conference delegates to this fascinating event, and feel confident that this will be a prestigious industry exhibition for the travel catering sector,” he concluded.
MENA Travel Catering 2006 is sponsored by Emirates (key sponsor), Al Accad Group (platinum sponsor) and Adel Abuljadayel Flight Catering (gold sponsor). Emirates are the Official ITCA Carrier for the ITCA Middle East 2006 Conference.
The MENA Travel Catering 2006 Exhibition takes place from 4-6 September 2006 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai, UAE. For more details on MENA Travel Catering, please visit www.itcadubai.com or contact Bilal Al-Rais on +971 4 308 6062 or [email protected]. The exhibition is combined with ITCA Middle East Conference taking place from the 5-6 September 2006. For information on the ITCA Middle East Conference, please visit www.itcanet.com or contact ITCA Office on +44 (0)1483 419449 or [email protected]
Photo caption: (left to right) Bilal Al-Rais, Asst. International Project Manager, Dubai World Trade Centre; Abdullah Qassem, General Manager Venue, DWTC; Helal Saaed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre; Trixee Loh, General Manager – Exhibitions, Dubai World Trade Centre.
About Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)
www.dwtc.com
As the organiser of MENA Travel Catering 2006, Dubai World Trade Centre offers over 27 years’ experience of delivering world-class events in the Middle East, providing local, regional and international exhibitors with unmatched expertise and in-depth market knowledge. Our team organises 14 of the largest and most successful international and regional shows in Middle East, providing an ideal platform for business development in the region.
Our commitment to ongoing innovation within the exhibition industry has supported the rapid growth and development of a wide range of business-to-business and business-to-consumer shows, and delivered consistent satisfaction to exhibitors and visitors. DWTC works with the region’s leading trade bodies and industry associations to ensure that all conferences deliver full value and are built upon the real needs of their specific sector.
