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The microfarm, inspired by dnata’s catering facility in Melbourne allows culinary teams to cultivate herbs onsite and use them in menu development. The microfarm concept will be expanded to other catering facilities in 2026, including Brisbane, Sydney and Perth. Building on its success, dnata is set to expand the microfarm concept to additional catering facilities in 2026, including Brisbane, Sydney and Perth.At WTCE, the live installation will feature a 96-punnet microfarm cabinet, demonstrating how chefs integrate freshly harvested ingredients into menu design, with approximately 60 dishes already influenced by the initiative.Robin Padgett, CEO of dnata Catering & Retail, said: “As passenger expectations continue to evolve, airlines are placing greater emphasis on freshness, creativity and inclusivity in onboard dining.ADVERTISEMENT”Our presence at WTCE highlights how dnata is responding through initiatives such as our microfarm and the continued evolution of special meals, working closely with our partners to enhance both the quality and relevance of the onboard experience.”Elevating special meals and passenger experienceSpecial meals are a key factor in shaping passengers’ perceptions of onboard eating and can be a great way to improve overall satisfaction. dnata supports 20 special meal categories. At WTCE, attendees will experience a curated collection of dishes demonstrating culinary precision, culinary creativity and the operational expertise needed to deliver special meals consistently on a global scale. Some dishes include:Slow-cooked vegetable tagine, Freekeh pilaf and preserved lemon and date chutney.

Crab ravioli, whipped ricotta with fennel salad, kombu beurre Blanc (SFML,MOML)*

Chicken with lemon garlic and sumac, green beans, braised lentils, macadamia dukkah, and cherry tomato confit. (HNML*, MOML*, DBML*)

Sweetcorn pannacotta with charred roasted corn, miso butterscotch, and croute. (VLMV*, GFML*, MOML*)

Catering and retail solutions integrated

dnata’s onboard retail solution will also be showcased, highlighting how integrated retail and catering solutions can support airline differentiation, unlock ancillary revenue and enhance airline differentiation. The company currently supports five major airline retailers globally, providing end-to-end program management, backed by market-leading analytics and data. dnata’s strategic supply chain teams manage over US$200m in retail stock and power more than 40m transactions annually across all of its retail programmes.

WTCE is a leading industry event.

WTCE is a leading global event for travel catering, onboard retail and passenger comfort industries. The event will take place in Hamburg, Germany, between 14-16 April 2026.

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Etihad Airways is the national airline of UAE and has made it easier for guests to travel their pets. The airline introduced a special promotion for its existing Pets Onboard services. In Economy, pets can be accommodated in a carrier placed under the seat directly in front of them. Those who want more space for their pets can book an additional seat. In Business, pets will still be accommodated by an extra seat. This reflects Etihad’s commitment in ensuring pets’ safety and wellbeing throughout the flight. “For many of our customers, pets are a part of the family and we understand the importance of traveling together.” The service allows small cats and dogs to travel in the aircraft cabin alongside their owners, helping reduce stress for pets while allowing guests to keep their pets close throughout the journey” said Arik De, Etihad’s Chief Revenue and Commercial, “By making our Pets Onboard service more accessible, we hope to welcome even more guests travelling with their pets while continuing to offer the warmth, care and peace of mind that define the Etihad experience.”ADVERTISEMENTBehind the scenes, Etihad continues to ensure the journey remains smooth and reassuring for guests travelling with pets. Etihad continues to ensure that the journey is smooth and reassuring for guests travelling with pets.

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The blend is a carefully roasted blend of three Brazilian estates. It delivers a full-bodied, rich flavour in each cup. The airline’s First class passengers will be offered Grind’s popular dark espresso-based coffee. They can choose to have it prepared using Grind’s signature house blend, or decaffeinated capsules. The dark roast blend with notes of almond, caramel, and chocolate will be available in the airline’s UK Lounges, giving customers a complete bean-to-brew experience. The dark roast blends were carefully selected to suit each stage of the journey. Whether it’s a caffeine boost in the lounges, awakening your senses in flight, or offering a cup of comfort before landing, the blends are designed to suit. This is another step to championing British Quality as we continue to enhance our beverage portfolio. More will be added as part of our multimillion-pound investment in this year.” David Abrahamovitch said, “We are extremely proud to extend our relationship with British Airways. An iconic British brand, British Airways represents the best of British service and quality. Values that are deeply important to our team as a London-born British brand.” It is a great moment for the Grind team to have gone from a single coffee shop in Shoreditch, to being the premium coffee partner of British Airways worldwide in just over a decade. We’ve had an incredible two years on board European flights already, and we hope that British Airways customers in lounges and on board long-haul flights will love the new blends we have created just as much.”ADVERTISEMENTBuilding on the success of British Airways’ existing buy-on-board partnership with Grind, customers travelling in Euro Traveller (short-haul economy) can continue to enjoy a wide range of Grind products available to purchase through the airline’s High Life Cafe on board every short-haul flight. These include Iced Black Coffee, Flat White, Black Coffee, and Decaf Black Coffee. British Airways launched a new wine programme earlier this year that featured a variety of new additions. Rock Angel was previously available in First but is now available in Club World. The airline showcases a new destination every quarter to offer its premium customers more variety and choice. This season, British Airways is showcasing Lisbon, Southern Portugal and offering notable wines like Herdade do Mochao in First, and Cartuxa Colheita Branco Evora, which highlights producers from this emerging area. British Airways also offers a rotating selection for First class customers of prestige cuvee champagnes, starting the year with Charles Heidsieck’s Blanc des Millenaires and Rare.

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Cavendish Maxwell, a leading property and real estate consultancy, estimates that Oman’s annual hotel revenues will reach OMR297.3 (US$772m) in 2025. This is a new record and represents a 22% increase year-on-year. Oman’s hotels hosted 2.4 million guests in 2018, an increase of nearly 11% from 2024. According to Cavendish Maxwell’s latest analysis on Oman’s hospitality sector, the average occupancy rate grew by 13.6%, reaching almost 57%. The average room rate increased by 4.7% to almost OMR49 ($127), a rise of almost 4.7%. Oman opened 900 hotel rooms in 2025. This brings the total room inventory up to 36,800. In addition to 2,400 new rooms, 900 more are expected to be added to the market in 2027. Khalil al Zadjali said that Oman’s hospitality industry has entered the year with a strong momentum after a robust and record-breaking performance. We are now in the phase of sustained growth, backed by a more diverse mix of source markets and rising domestic demand. “While geopolitical developments in the region are important, Oman’s status as a culturally rich destination, coupled with proactive tourism campaigns, and continued infrastructure investments, is expected to support Oman’s appeal as a major destination for domestic and international travelers,” he added. ADVERTISEMENTOman welcomed under 15 million passengers in 2018, an increase of 2.8% over 2024. The year-round traffic was constant, but August was the busiest month, with 1.66 millions visitors pouring into Oman for the Khareef festival in Salalah. Muscat International Airport, which handled 13.2 million passengers in 2008 and 88% of the total traffic, remained Oman’s backbone for air connectivity. Salalah International Airport was the best performer among secondary hubs with passenger numbers increasing almost 10% to 1.7 millions. The research, which is focused on Oman’s hotels of 3-5 stars, also shows that there are 11,200 people working in the hotel industry. This represents an increase of 7.3% from a year ago. As the sector grows, new jobs are created. Omani nationals will account for more than 36% (up from 33.8%) of hotel guests in 2025. This is a significant increase over the 33.8% recorded the previous year. This highlights the growing importance of domestic tourism to the country’s hospitality industry. The number of European guests increased by 22%, to nearly 28%. Asian guests ranked third with 14.5%. Other source markets include GCC, Arab countries, Americans and Oceanians.

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As Oahu continues to recover from recent events, the Ritz-Carlton O’ahu Turtle Bay invites travelers to enjoy a summer filled with exploration and adventure. The resort is fully operational, offering all amenities and activities. The ocean waters on the North Shore are safe for swimming, surfing and coastal exploration. While some communities across the island continue recovery and cleanup efforts, the region’s most beloved attractions–including Hale`iwa, Waimea Valley, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and the region’s famous food trucks–are open and thoughtfully welcoming visitors throughout the Spring and Summer seasons. The resort remains a convenient way to travel to and from all parts of Oahu. “Our community has shown incredible resilience over the past few weeks, and we’re proud to stand alongside our neighbors as the North Shore is restored to its vibrant self,” said Doug Chang. Maintaining your travel plans is a great way to contribute to Oahu’s recovery. By choosing the North Shore for the summer, guests can support local recovery efforts and enjoy the resort as well as the surrounding community. To officially kick off the Spring and Summer seasons, the resort has introduced brand new signature programming, including:New Programming at The Ritz-Carlton O`ahu, Turtle Bay:ADVERTISEMENT”Town & Country” Chef Series: Kicking off on May 23, this new culinary series features the resort’s Executive Chef Daniel Quintero, signature restaurant Alia’s new Chef de Cuisine David Fernandez and Top Chef star Sheldon Simeon, blending Maui’s Wailuku Town gastronomy with the North Shore’s “country” soul. Chef Hui will receive a portion of the proceeds to help farmers affected by the hurricane. Reservations are available here.Sunset Sessions with Local Musicians – Starting on June 5, Sunset Sessions will be the newest series to hit the resort this summer. It will take place every Friday and Sunday at Sunset Bar and benefit Henry Kapono’s On the Rise Program for up and coming Hawaii musicians. The program will bring local musicians from Oahu, and neighboring islands, to perform for Ritz-Carlton guests as well as kamaaina.

Sand in My Boots (4th of July): The resort will host a Fourth of July barbecue at Kuilima Point Lawn on Independence Day. There will be live music, dining stations “Taste of the North Shore”, and an evening drone show. Details, including a charitable component, will be released soon.

The resort continues to offer its hallmark experiences that define the North Shore Lifestyle:The Jamie O’Brien Surf Experience – Summer offers the perfect opportunity for beginners and their families to learn from professionals in the calm, turquoise waters at Turtle Bay.

The Stables. From sunset horseback riding along five miles of secluded coast to pony meet-and greets for children, the resort’s Equestrian Center remains a focal point of the North Shore experience.

Paniolo, a Hawaiian Cowboy Lau: This outdoor show honors Hawaiis cowboy heritage, with a sumptuous meal, which includes a pig roast and fresh salads. Desserts include a variety of desserts, topped off by the opportunity to make classic S’mores over a campfire. Guests of any age can also participate in cultural activities such as learning how to throw a rope, weave coconut leaves, and make a lei wristlet.

Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Tours – Take to the skies and get a bird’s eye view of this legendary surfing destination. The pilots will share fascinating information about the history and natural beauty of the region as guests marvel at the stunning coast, lush landscapes and iconic surf breaks.

Wellness & Spa : Nalu Spa is a Hawaiian healing sanctuary, offering oceanfront treatments and a full-service hair salon. A robust wellness program includes everything from sunset yoga classes to HIIT or Pilates classes.

Golf: The resort has the Arnold Palmer Championship Course.

Hawaiian Cultural & Heritage : The resort offers authentic connections to the island with curated cultural programs, including traditional hula workshops and lei-making, and educational experiences on the resort’s onsite Kuilima Farm.

FAQ: North Shore Safety and Travel: Is the North Shore open to visitors following the storms?

Yes. The North Shore is open. All major visitor areas are accessible by road, resorts and tourism infrastructure.

Is it safe for me to swim and surf at the North Shore?

The ocean conditions are stable with clear water, allowing for safe swimming, surfing and coastal activities.

Are the major attractions of the North Shore open?

Yes. Yes.

How can visiting local recovery efforts help?

Visitors’ spending helps local businesses, employees and community organizations stabilize the regional economy in recovery.

Are there still areas affected by storm damage?

Some residential areas continue to clean up, but this does not affect travel routes or visitor destinations.

The Ritz-Carlton O’ahu Turtle Bay is located on 57-091 Kamehameha Highway in Kahuku, Hawaii. Visit the website for more information and follow The Ritz-Carlton O’ahu Turtle Bay on Instagram or Facebook.