International travel catering industry generates new business opportunities in UAE

The three-day show, which was opened by His Excellency Khalid Ahmed bin Sulayem, Director General, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), is the only dedicated travel catering services exhibition in the Middle East, Africa and Indian sub-continent providing opportunities for companies to generate new business and drive growth in the region's travel industry.

A recent report from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) stated that the contribution of travel and tourism to the UAE's GDP is expected to stabilise at 20.2% in 2009, a value of Dhs178.7bn.

The ITCA Dubai Exhibition takes place at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre until 18 November 2009.

"We would like to thank His Excellency Khalid Ahmed bin Sulayem for inaugurating this year's show and setting the tone for a busy three days of serious business and knowledge exchange which will help invigorate the travel catering industry in the Middle East,"

said Helal Saeed Almarri, CEO, Dubai World Trade Centre.

Nearly 50 companies from 18 countries are exhibiting at this year's show from across the travel catering market looking to cement lasting trade relations and generate new business in the Middle East's booming travel sector.

The show also includes the prestigious ITCA Dubai Conference, organised by the International Catering Association (ITCA).

"It is interesting to note that the association has chosen the theme 'Green Shoots in the Desert' for the ITCA Dubai Conference this year. It is a clear acknowledgment that the region is delivering positive growth and remains one of the most important markets for suppliers, especially as trading conditions are so fragile in the rest of the world," he added.

Key speakers at this year's event include Terry Daly, Division Senior Vice President, Service Delivery, Emirates, who will be speaking on the latest upgrades which will be made to the A380; David Young, President, ITCA; Neil James, Executive Director, Corp Sales & Product Management, Panasonic and Basel Arrar, Chairman & CEO, Royal Wings Aviation Services.

Now in its fourth year, ITCA Dubai has rapidly expanded in recent years to bring together the entire travel catering market, representing Airline, Cruise, Ferry and Railway hospitality industries from across the Middle East, Africa, and Indian Subcontinent.

The ITCA Dubai Exhibition is for Trade and Business Professionals only. The show is proudly supported by Emirates Airlines as official sponsor, and presented in conjunction with the prestigious ITCA Dubai Conference taking place until 18 November 2009.