World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE), the world’s leading event for the inflight catering, onboard services and passenger comfort industries, has revealed details of its 2024 Wellbeing Walk-through – the show’s feature exclusively dedicated to passenger wellbeing.
Curated and supported by the event’s Ambassadors – Julianne Ponan, MBE, CEO of Creative Nature and passionate allergies campaigner who is advising on Special Diets; leading 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 Beverages – the show floor trail will highlight over 20 innovative companies exhibiting food, drink, beauty and amenity products that can improve a passenger’s health, wellbeing and comfort onboard.
With mental and physical wellbeing onboard becoming increasingly important to passengers, it is essential for brands to work closely with air and rail operators to create exciting, innovative products that enable passengers to feel their best onboard, be it through a varied nutritional food and beverage menu, digital entertainment tools, or sustainable amenity kits.
The feature will ensure that visitors gain a well-rounded understanding of passenger wellbeing and mental health, as well as an insight into some of the most exciting and innovative products available.
Healthy, natural and nutritious
Visitors will have the opportunity to embark on a wellbeing journey of their own on the show floor, with a diverse range of food and drink companies who are disrupting the markets with their latest nutritional offerings to improve the way people feel while travelling.
Onsite, 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, who will be providing passengers with better-for-you snack options including its Crunchy Corn, Protein Pops, Chips and Rice Crackers and leading innovator brand, Poshi, who will impress visitors with its freshly marinated vegetable snacks and meals, including its Oloves olive snacks, Air Cheese 100% Crispy Cheese, Dipin Dips and Spreads.
Leaving visitors on WTCE’s Wellbeing Walk-through with an unforgettable taste experience will be curameo AG, with its healthy, vegan, and organic ginger shots. Also tending to the needs of passengers looking for a healthy soft drink option, VITHIT DRINKS will exhibit its nutritious drinks range, with all products low in calories, low sugar, and including 100% of the recommended daily allowance of eight essential vitamins.
Other food and beverage companies on the trail include the Netherlands’ top leading fresh supplier and manufacturer of traditionally produced fresh food-to-go, Sanday’s Bakeries. Plant-based food manufacturer, BeanStalk Foods, will highlight how its innovative food solutions meet evolving customer food expectations through its high protein and fibre rich food options that are full of flavour. Attendees can also sample products from Nordic Breakfast, Koppert Cress B.V., Intervine, Inflight Initiatives Ltd, Foodcase International BV and Soothing Solutions and more.
Greener inflight products
This year’s Wellbeing Walk-through also includes wellness products with sustainable features 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, bringing its bespoke, premium airline amenity concepts. From bags and cosmetics to comfort items and children’s products, the company’s diverse and responsibly curated product range will ensure an impactful experience for travellers throughout their journey.
Linstol will debut a brand-new stand, 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, innovative meal service solutions, amenity packs and crew service items – all of which are designed and developed with the passenger in mind to support wellbeing and comfort onboard.
Also featuring on the Wellbeing Walk-through will be textiles supplier John Horsfall & Sons and high-quality bedding company Paradies GmbH for a healthy, restful sleep onboard.
Wellbeing at Taste of Travel
A full programme of insightful sessions has been curated in collaboration with the WTCE Ambassadors for the Taste of Travel Theatre. Produced in association with Onboard Hospitality Magazine and sponsored this year by En Route, the dedicated area in Hall A1 will focus on special diets, nutrition, allergy-free foods, and how onboard trends can positively impact passenger 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 the industry-renowned Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX). Both shows will be taking place at the Hamburg Messe from 28-30 May 2024.