Mideast aviation catering sector fastest-growing

DUBAI — The growing volume of travellers passing through the Middle East together with the UAE's emergence as a hub for marine and aviation traffic have combined to make the region an area of key interest for international catering companies, according to industry experts.

By A Staff Reporter

Published: Wed 2 Aug 2006, 10:02 AM

Last updated: Sat 4 Apr 2015, 2:02 PM

Aviation catering stands out as the fastest-growing sector, with over 13.76 million passengers passing through Dubai International Airport in the first half of 2006 alone. Recent research from Bahrain Airport Services and PAX International estimated that the Middle East airline catering industry is worth close to $500 million per annum, while the value of ferry and cruise line hospitality has grown exponentially in recent years.

Seeing this boom, Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) will organise the region's first ever MENA Travel Catering 2006 exhibition from September 4 to 6, alongside the ITCA Middle East Conference at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

The exhibition brings together exhibitors in the airline, cruise line, ferry, railway and hospitality industries from over 22 countries. Leading international suppliers looking to capitalise on this booming market include Nestle Foodservices, LSG Sky Chefs, Orvec International, Hero Group and Sabre Airline Solutions. The decision by International Travel Catering Association (ITCA) to also host their inaugural conference in the region further underscores the global interest in this fast-developing market.

Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre, said, “DWTC is delighted to host and work with ITCA, whose inaugural conference will run alongside a key exhibition to support the regional growth of the transport catering sector and its service providers. The fact that we have also been selected to host the key conference of such a respected international trade exhibition underlines both the strategic positioning of the region in this fast-growing industry, as well as the attractiveness of DICEC as a venue for major meetings.’’

The exhibition, whose platinum sponsor is Al Accad Hotel Supplies, represents a diverse range of companies, including food and beverage suppliers, food packaging, chinaware and disposable crockery, through to in-flight retailing, entertainment systems and toiletry companies.