What’s on the menu at WTCE Virtual 2021?

The World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) is the world’s leading event for the travel catering, onboard retail and passenger comfort industries, and is set to host a stellar line-up of the industry’s biggest players at its virtual expo running from 14-16 September 2021.

Taking place digitally for the first time, WTCE Virtual will welcome buyers and exhibitors from the aviation and rail industry from around the globe, bringing them together for three full days to discover the latest products and services from the entire onboard catering supply chain alongside three conference streams.

Representatives from many of the world’s biggest airlines and onboard service providers have already registered for WTCE, including Air France, Delta Air Lines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Etihad Airways, SAS Scandinavian Airlines and Ryanair, as well as Gate Group and Rail Gourmet Ltd.

David Young, former Executive Manager, Sustainability and Future Planet at Qantas, says WTCE has always been a key event in the travel catering and onboard services calendar, providing an important opportunity for buyers and suppliers in the sector to meet, exchange ideas, catch up on the latest industry trends, learn about ground-breaking innovations and ultimately do business. “In the current climate, where the whole aviation sector is looking for ways to accelerate the post-pandemic recovery, I think the event will be more important than ever,” he adds.

Featuring a virtual show floor for the first time in the event’s history, buyers from the world’s major airlines and rail operators can meet and interact with leading exhibitors to discover the latest launches and innovations in food and drink products, alongside new retail solutions, while learning about key trends in onboard hospitality.

Making their WTCE debut are ECO Wheat, a natural straws and speciality chemical solutions supplier, eco-friendly amenity kit provider GUDRUN Group Chocolates, award winning Australian winery Dandelion Vineyards and speciality Italian food supplier Dolceria Carollo.

With sustainability such a hot topic, a range of exhibitors will be sharing their solutions. The Bamboovement’s range of customisable amenity kits consist entirely of plastic-free personal care products including FSC-certified bamboo products and plastic-free cosmetics. They also actively support tree-planting projects.

Also offering sustainability alongside better-for-you ingredients is PLAYin CHOC, a range of chocolate products that has scooped an impressive 19 awards since its launch in 2018. Perfect for airlines looking to a more sustainable and ethical future, the packaging is 100% recyclable and plastic-free. All the ingredients are natural organic, Soil Association-certified, vegan and free-from 14 of the main allergens, making them suitable for almost everyone.

Gourmet snack manufacturer, NibNibs, will showcase its range of savoury and sweet solutions baked specifically for the travel catering industry. Listing US carriers United Airlines and Delta amongst its customers, it will spotlight its newly launched Telstar Heavenly Cookies, which it bills as “a perfect accompaniment to coffee or tea onboard”. With 30% less sugar, and no artificial sweeteners, colours or preservatives, NibNibs offer “all the taste, less of the naughty”.

Monty’s Bakehouse will highlight its brand-new Snack Pack, a unique culinary innovation designed to provide passengers with a delicious light meal onboard. The Snack Pack also boasts strong sustainability credentials, whilst offering maximum convenience and low-touch solutions for the crew. Each Snack Pack contains two components including a delicate, soft roll and a moist sweet sponge – currently available in a choice of four flavours.

Other brands set to exhibit are galley equipment manufacturers Egret Aviation, Sola Airline Cutlery, Callington and Coffee Planet, with a range of coffee solutions, including beans, ground and single serve.

Polly Magraw, Event Director at Reed Exhibitions, said: “Health, wellbeing and sustainability are essential elements in any onboard catering and services offer. We know that airlines and rail operators are keen to understand how suppliers are working to meet ever tighter industry standards as traveller expectations of quality, teamed with health and sustainability, are increasingly important. WTCE will help operators understand how they can switch-up their offers to cater for travellers in a post-pandemic world.”

WTCE and AIX Virtual replace the live editions, which will not take place in 2021 due to the ongoing challenges and global restrictions on international travel. WTCE and AIX will return to Hamburg from 14-16 June 2022 at the Hamburg Messe. For more information on the Virtual events, visit https://www.worldtravelcateringexpo.com/