ITCA Dubai 2007 taps into booming travel catering sector in Gulf region

Partnering with the International Travel Catering Association (ITCA) and sponsored by Emirates, ITCA Dubai 2007 is organised by Dubai World Trade Centre and is designed to introduce food, foodservice, hospitality, in-flight suppliers to airline, airport, cruise caterers and operators.

The exhibitors comprise 123 participating companies from 23 countries and visitors to the event will represent key markets in the Middle East, North Africa and the Indian subcontinent. Accompanying the ITCA Dubai exhibition will be the ITCA Dubai conference entitled "The Middle East - the new market" and a dedicated HACCP programme.

Addressing a press conference today to announce details of the event, Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of Dubai World Trade Centre, the organiser of the show said, "Opportunities for travel catering have not just expanded, but have multiplied in recent years. We are confident that the Middle East will continue to grab international attention specially within the travel catering industry."

In 2007, in-flight catering was pegged at a staggering $18bn worldwide industry that employs up to 200,000 people. In the UAE, Dhs132bn investments were made by the Dubai aviation sector that experienced a 14.4% growth rate in passenger traffic. The increasing volume of people moving through the Middle East coupled with the UAE's emergence as a central travel hub have combined to make the region vitally important for travel catering companies.

"If you take into consideration the launch of new airlines, the major investments within existing aviation groups and airports, announcements in cruise movements, and developments of rail and road networks - it is no surprise that the Middle East is considered as the world's next major travel growth market," Mr Al Marri continued.

ITCA Dubai has drawn interest from companies and countries, both as exhibitors and delegates who are keen on harnessing the vast potential of this region. Companies being represented include Gate Gourmet, Hobart, Del Monte, Servair, Bestpartner World Wide Food Supply and Driessen Aerospace Group.

"ITCA Dubai taps into the potential and possibilities of this market by bridging the needs and demands of the industry. The exhibition aims to support the regional growth of the travel catering sector and its service providers, while specifically appealing to Procurement, In-flight Service, Purchasing Mangers and CEOs from the regional airline and cruiseline sectors,"

he stated.

The ITCA Dubai 2007 Conference titled "The Middle East - The New Market" will be taking place alongside the exhibition and is organised by the International Travel Catering Association (ITCA). Speakers at the conference include Camille Ducharme - Global Channel and Customer Development Director at Nestle Switzerland, Duncan Davis - General Manager of Emirates Flight Catering's Airport Catering Services, Haroon Siddiqii - EVP and CEO of Emirates Flight Catering, David Young - President of ITCA, and Bob Kirby - Managing Director of ITW Envopak. Networking opportunities will be available at the Cocktail Reception, Bedouin Dinner and the site tour of Emirates Flight Kitchen.

In addition, health and safety professionals can also get updated with the latest regulations and best practices at the two-day Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point or HACCP system course. Delegates attending the Programme will have the opportunity to take the examination for the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health's Level Two Award in Food Safety in Catering.

ITCA Dubai exhibition Platinum Sponsor is Meat and Livestock Australia and the Official Media Partner is PAX International with Emirates as the Official Carrier. ITCA Dubai looks forward to welcoming exhibitors, visitors and delegates to the Exhibition and Conference next week.