The organisers of World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE), an event focused on inflight catering, onboard services and passenger comfort, has revealed details of its 2024 Wellbeing Walk-through. This feature at the show is dedicated to passenger wellbeing, showcasing innovations from exhibitors.
The Wellbeing Walk-through is curated and supported by the event’s Ambassadors, namely Julianne Ponan, CEO of Creative Nature and an allergies campaigner who is advising on special diets; travel dietitian and nutritionist Melissa Adamski who is advising on travel nutrition; and Kelly Stevenson, former global wine and beverage manager at British Airways and current CEO of JetVine, who is advising on inflight beverages. WTCE visitors can walk the show floor trail and see more than 20 exhibits showcasing food, drink, beauty and amenity products that can improve a passenger’s health, wellbeing and comfort onboard.
The idea behind the feature is that, with mental and physical wellbeing onboard becoming increasingly important to passengers, brands should work closely with air and rail operators to create innovative products that help passengers feel their best onboard, through measures such as a varied nutritional food and beverage menu, digital entertainment tools, or sustainable amenity kits.
Healthy, natural and nutritious
WTCE visitors can stray from the Wellbeing Walk-through and embark on a wellbeing journey of their own on the show floor, visiting a wide range of food and drink companies that are disrupting the markets with their latest nutritional offerings.
Onsite in Hamburg Messe, printed floorplans and markers will signpost the companies involved, while pre-show, visitors can access information on the exhibitors taking part in the Wellbeing Walk-through via the website and app. These include 4700BC Popcorn, which offers healthier snack options including its Crunchy Corn, Protein Pops, Chips and Rice Crackers; and Poshi, which will be showing visitors its freshly marinated vegetable snacks and meals, including its Oloves olive snacks, Air Cheese 100% Crispy Cheese, Dipin Dips and Spreads.
Visitors might fancy a healthy drink after sampling the snacks, and they can try Curameo AG’s healthy, vegan, and organic ginger shots, or Vithit Drinks’ nutritious drinks range, with all products low in calories and sugar, and containing 100% of the recommended daily allowance of eight essential vitamins.
Other food and beverage companies with healthy inflight offerings include Sanday’s Bakeries, the Netherlands’ leading supplier and manufacturer of traditionally produced fresh food-to-go, and plant-based food manufacturer, BeanStalk Foods, which will highlight its high protein and fibre-rich food options that are full of flavour. Other options include products from Nordic Breakfast, Koppert Cress BV, Intervine, Inflight Initiatives, Foodcase International BV, Soothing Solutions and more.
Greener inflight products
This year’s Wellbeing Walk-through also includes wellness products with sustainable properties that will contribute to a more environmentally friendly travel experience for passengers.
As a global leader in the travel amenity industry, Formia will feature on the trail, showing its bespoke, premium airline amenity concepts ranging from bags and cosmetics, to comfort items and children’s products, all responsibly made and curated.
Linstol will debut its brand-new expo stand design, along with new innovations in a variety of categories, including sustainable products, headsets, amenities, textiles, and brand partnerships.
Plane Talking Products will showcase its full range of luxurious textiles, high-quality bone china, cosy fleece blankets, meal service solutions, amenity packs and crew service items.
Other highlights will include textiles supplier John Horsfall & Sons, and bedding company Paradies GmbH, who aim to help enable restful sleep onboard.
Wellbeing at Taste of Travel
A full programme of sessions has been curated in collaboration with the WTCE Ambassadors for the Taste of Travel Theatre. The dedicated area in Hall A1 will focus on special diets, nutrition, allergy-free foods, and how onboard trends can positively impact passengers’ mental health and wellbeing.
Commenting on the Wellbeing Walk-through, WTCE event director, Polly Magraw, said: “In today’s climate where passenger mental health and wellbeing is such an important consideration, brands must innovate their onboard services to align with evolving consumer needs. That is why our Wellbeing Walk-through feature promises a comprehensive view of the latest products designed to prioritise passenger wellbeing as well as sustainability. WTCE is committed to driving innovation and excellence in the industry and we can’t wait to welcome attendees to experience this immersive showcase of products in Hamburg this year.”
WTCE will be co-located with Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX). Both shows will be taking place at the Hamburg Messe from 28-30 May 2024, and will come together to provide passenger experience professionals with the opportunity to network and explore new products, services, and solutions. WTCE badge holders can also gain free access to AIX in the B Halls of the venue.
For more information on World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo 2024 and to register for free, please visit: https://www.worldtravelcateringexpo.com/en-gb.html
