The GCC travel catering market is expected to witness an annual growth rate of five per cent, a recent report said.

This is due to the rapid increase in passenger volumes, expansion of GCC airline fleets and the high priority given to the tourism sector by the region’s governments, it said.

The global travel catering market is estimated at $15 billion.

A major expo reflecting on the strong growth opportunities for the travel catering industry in the Middle East will be held in Dubai, UAE, early next year.

The second edition of Travel Catering Expo (TCE), will be held from May 10 to 12, 2015, at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

The forum will also focus on the crucial role the travel catering industry plays in enabling airports, airlines, hotels and restaurants to differentiate themselves against competition and increase their customers’ loyalty.

Reed Exhibitions Middle East, organisers of TCE, said: “Building on the success of the inaugural edition last year, TCE 2015 is expected to attract 65 exhibitors compared with last year’s 43, a 51 per cent increase.”

Bringing the latest services, products and technologies related to travel catering under one roof, the niche trade show’s visitors are set to increase by more than 100 per cent, from 1,000 last year to more than 2,000 in 2015, it said.

Daniyal Qureshi, group exhibition director at Reed Exhibitions Middle East, said: “The huge growth in the regional aviation industry has opened the doors wide open for further commercial opportunities in the travel catering industry.”

“The expo not only demonstrates our commitment to bring the latest technology and expertise to the region, but also provide airports and airlines with an ideal platform to explore the latest services, products and technologies that will enable them to meet passengers’ expectations and arm them with an excellent tool to differentiate their brands with others in the face of fierce competition,” he added.

An enlarged hosted buyers programme is one of the main developments for this year’s expo. More than 45 buyers are expected to benefit from the programme compared with 27 buyers last year, representing a 67 per cent increase, it said. – TradeArabia News Service