Opportunities knock at WTCE 2020
Trends such as health and wellbeing, premiumisation and sustainability are steering consumption habits in a new direction, and this year’s World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) will reflect this direction by introducing a range of new and exciting flavours and formats, all targeted for service on air, rail and cruise.
Research from the show organisers shows over 40% of VIP visitors attending the show will be looking to source non-alcoholic drinks, bakery and patisserie products, frozen foods, cutlery and disposable crockery or galley goods, trolleys and trays.
Trends to tap
There are some 6.1 million adults in Great Britain alone who don’t drink alcohol – an increase of +59% year-on-year and non-alcoholic choices are increasingly popular with younger adults: 46% of people under the age of 35 are likely to order a mocktail versus just 16% of over-35s. Ethical, craftsmanship, personalisation and freshness are four of nine key trends driving bakery and patisserie products worldwide; while frozen food offers are increasingly recognised as offering locked in freshness as well as convenience for onboard caterers.
Exhibitors already confirmed to attend this year with solutions to meet these trends include: SkyTender Solutions – the first and only certified, intelligent, non-alcoholic onboard beverage platform, which will be showcasing its SkyBarista coffee trolleys; and Radnor Hills, the spring water and soft drinks brand based in Mid-Wales, which specialises in 125ml tetra prisma fruit juices and 250ml tetra water options for airline catering. BestPartner Food and Foodcase International will showcase their frozen, chilled and ambient specialisms; while Royer Corporation – the world’s leading supplier of wooden and bamboo picks and sticks, and Guangxi Nanning Flight Supply Trading Co Ltd, supplier of serving trays and biodegradable tableware will look to meet equipment needs.
Archana Sharma, exhibition director of WTCE, said: “We’ve spoken to our VIP visitors and know exactly the kinds of products they are looking for, so the show is essential for any brands in these categories wanting to break into onboard travel hospitality or with new products and services to showcase.”
