Visitors TO get latest updates on travel and inflight catering AT ITCA Dubai 2007
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: The second edition of the ITCA Dubai Exhibition and Conference - the region's largest and most specialised travel catering and in-flight service exhibition and conference - will be held at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC) from 11 - 13 December. 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 that "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.
-Ends-
ITCA Dubai 2007 - the 2nd Travel Catering and Inflight Service Exhibition and Conference for the Middle East, Africa and Indian Subcontinent takes place from 11 - 13 December 2007 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai, UAE. For more details about the exhibition, please visit www.itcadubai.com or contact Bilal Al-Rais on +971 4 308 6062 or travel.catering@dwtc.com. The exhibition will be held alongside the 2 day ITCA Dubai 2007 Conference taking place from 12 - 13 December 2007. For more information on the Conference, please visit www.itcanet.com or contact ITCA UK at (+44) 1483 419449 or itca@associationservices.co.uk. Delegates can register on site.
About ITCA Dubai 2007
Website: www.itcadubai.com
Last year, ITCA Dubai (the inaugural event) featured more than 100 companies representing 25 countries while attracting over 1,000 travel catering decision makers from 50 countries. Meanwhile the industry focused Conference welcomed more than 200 delegates.
About Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC)
Website: www.dwtc.com
As the organiser of ITCA Dubai 2007, 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 15 of the largest and most successful international and regional shows in Middle East, providing an ideal platform for business development in the region.
The company 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 leading trade bodies and industry associations to ensure that all exhibitions deliver full value and are built upon the real needs of their specific sector.
© Press Release 2007
