MENA Travel Catering Exhibition opens in Dubai

The global interest and potential of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market has also led to the International Travel Catering Association (ITCA) holding its Middle East conference alongside the exhibition. The two-day ITCA Middle East conference 'Dubai - a Vision Realised' opens today, looking at key regional topics including The Airline today and tomorrow, The importance of the region, An Airport's perspective and Cultural challenges of operating in the region.

Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre, said:

"This prestigious exhibition and conference highlights the huge international interest in the travel catering sector here in the UAE and the region. We are delighted to host the event and are extremely confident of its success."

In total 123 companies from 25 countries are exhibiting at the three-day MENA Travel Catering 2006 exhibition, with nearly three quarters of the stands taken by international suppliers from outside the region. The exhibition brings together professionals from air, cruise and rail operators from the Middle East, Africa and the Indian Subcontinent.

"I'm very satisfied with the quality of the MENA Travel Catering Exhibition. I could have gone home after lunch yesterday based on the business conducted in the first morning," commented James Gray, Director of Canary Enterprises. "I've met with four key airline caterers, seen two out of five distributors I was supposed to, as well as many senior officials from specific airlines in the region," he added.

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% between 2005-2009, with average growth predicated at 5.7%.

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.