The organiser of Aircraft Interiors Expo has acquired Europe’s largest travel catering exhibition from ITCA – the International Travel Catering Association. The ITCA event will be renamed World Travel Catering Expo and will take place in Hamburg from 27-29 March 2012, co-locating with Reed Exhibitions’ highly successful Aircraft Interiors Expo that already attracts senior buyers from over 200 of the world’s major airlines.

The re-branded event, World Travel Catering Expo, will address the needs of food, beverage and amenity buyers across not just the airlines but also rail and leisure sea travel operators.

Justin Tadman, Divisional Managing Director at Reed Exhibitions, said: “Reed Exhibitions has gained a reputation for its expertise in delivering successful events across many fields – including travel and the food industry – so we are looking forward to working with ITCA exhibitors and visitors to further enhance this event.

“Acquiring the event from ITCA is strategically important and enables us to provide the travel catering industry with a quality event dedicated to their sector. World Travel Catering Expo will focus on the needs of travel passengers’ in terms of comfort, menu and amenities.”

Stephen White, President of ITCA, added: “ITCA is continuing to listen to its members and it makes absolute sense to co-locate the biggest European onboard service sector event with the world’s largest dedicated cabin interiors exhibition.  Our Dubai ITCA event, as well as our other member services, will continue as normal.”

Food on the move is a complex but flourishing arena. The airline sector, for example, employs a wide variety of catering strategies to differentiate airline brands. And with the expectations of many travellers, from budget airlines right up to VVIP passengers, on the increase this is an excellent time to be addressing a market that is actively seeking out innovation. According to ITCA, the market is currently worth $15bn and growing at about 5 per cent each year.