The organisers of World Travel Catering & Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) have launched a new feature for this year’s show (Hamburg Messe, 6-8 June): the ‘Wellbeing Walk-Through’, which will bring attention to exhibitors showing products and services that cater to passenger wellbeing needs.
The Wellbeing Walk-Through will feature 32 exhibitors specialising in products and services that will enhance passengers’ comfort, health and overall travel experience. These options will include anything from active noise-cancelling headphones, jet lag solutions, amenity kits and luxurious bedding, to food and drink offerings, as well as eco-friendly beauty and oral care products.
Visitors will be able to navigate the Wellbeing Walk-Through at the event by following the stickers on exhibitor stands, or by consulting the WTCE Mobile App and Expo floorplans.
A taste of wellness in the air
Consumers are increasingly expecting a varied menu onboard that caters to their different health and wellbeing requirements, so it’s important that airlines and rail operators explore how they can meet these expectations if they are to earn brand loyalty and repeat custom. The food and drink companies within the Wellbeing Walk-Through are aiming to help meet these expectations.
Catering for the vegan market and for health-conscious passengers onboard, start-up business Elevate Granola will be exhibiting its Gourmet Granola for a healthy breakfast and snacking option, while 5th Season Fruit will be showcasing its freeze-dried nutritious snacks.
Manufacturers of gluten-free, vegan, halal and Hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) options will be on the show floor, including Skinny Genie Gluten Free, which will showcase its range of sweet and savoury snacks that include pre-prepared meals and sandwiches, energy bars, snack boxes and other healthy offerings for those following a gluten-free diet.
Serving up memorable meals, the Cuisine Solutions stand will be giving live chef demonstrations to showcase nutritious and flavourful recipes that can be served onboard.
WTCE’s Taste of Travel Theatre is another great chance to catch up with inflight catering trends
Catering for a sober-curious market
Visitors to the Wellbeing Walk-Through journey will also come across a variety of exhibitors specialising in no/low-alcoholic beverages, including premium non-alcoholic sparkling drinks brand, So Jennie Paris. The company produces sparkling wines hand-blended from grape musts, which are low in calories and 0% alcohol.
Additionally, exhibiting at WTCE for the first time, natural juice and smoothie manufacturer, Innocent Drinks, will showcase its range of nutritional juices to offer passengers a healthier soft drink option. James White Drinks will also take to the WTCE show floor for the first time, to introduce its organic and classic fruit and vegetable juices, and WTCE visitors might enjoy a sample of its new Zinger shots, packed full of health benefits.
Eliminating stress onboard
Research by the WTCE organisers, RX (Reed Exhibitions), has found that 33% – 40% of all people experience some form of anxiety when it comes to flying, so the demand for products that can reduce passenger stress onboard is strong. Azusa Corporation, a supplier of inflight products to the industry for 20 years, will be demonstrating how its range of noise-cancelling headphones can help passengers enjoy the sensory experience of music and food together to bring out the flavour while enjoying a more relaxing inflight atmosphere.
Another supplier of premium inflight products, Formia, will return to show attendees its latest variety of comfort items, cosmetics, toiletries and amenity kits, all created with conscious design and responsible production methods to enhance the passenger experience.
Formia offers a range of passenger wellbeing and amenity kit items
Another exhibitor, the Sonisk oral care brand, is planning to show its range of portable electric toothbrushes, named the Sonisk Pulse. Attendees will be able to view the latest amenity kit solution for oral care hygiene onboard, as backed by entrepreneur, Touker Suleyman, from TV show Dragon’s Den. Also revolutionising health and wellness onboard by providing eco-friendly and innovative products, The Humble Co will enable visitors to source sustainable oral care products to help passengers maintain their oral hygiene routines whilst travelling.
Commenting on the ‘Wellbeing Walk-Through’, WTCE event director, Polly Magraw said: “It’s clear that the industry is making progress when it comes to wellness onboard, and the introduction of the Wellbeing Walk-Through will help guide visitors on a path to discovering the latest products in this space. As a concept, mental and physical wellbeing in the air has certainly gained traction in recent years, with passengers expecting an enjoyable, comfortable and, where possible, healthy journey when travelling.
“As a result, the responsibility is on the airlines to source the innovations that will facilitate this, and ultimately deliver an onboard experience that sets them apart from the competition. We have a lot of exhibitors offering products in the wellness space throughout the Wellbeing Walk-Through and I’m very much looking forward to seeing our visitors making the most of the new feature.”
For further information or to register for the event, visit: https://www.worldtravelcateringexpo.com
