Strong Demand for inaugural ITB Asia

Since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Messe Berlin, organizer of the world’s largest travel trade show, ITB Berlin, and the Singapore Tourism Board in April 2007 for Singapore to host the show’s first-ever Asian edition of ITB, significant progress has been made, reflecting the show’s popular appeal among key global travel trade industry players.

Organised by Messe Berlin, and to be held at Suntec Singapore from 22 to 24 October 2008, ITB Asia has seen stronger than expected demand from the international travel industry, reflecting the buoyant outlook of the Asian outbound travel and the growth potential of the travel trade in the region.

Martin Buck, Director of Messe Berlin Singapore said, “We are pleased to have confirmed more than a hundred exhibitors from 32 countries, more than ten months in advance of the event.”

Exhibitors include some 30 National Tourism Organisations including those of Germany, Maldives, Spain and Singapore; major travel organisations such as Silversea Cruises, Orient Express Travels & Tours, Commonwealth Travel Service and Hong Thai Travel; leading accommodation providers including Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Marina Bay Sands Pte Ltd, Millenium & Copthorne International, Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & Resorts Pte Ltd, Swissotel Hotels & Resorts, and Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces; as well as important online industry players like HRS.

“Obviously the vision and format of ITB Asia meet the zeitgeist (ethos) of the travel industry. Besides focusing on the Asian travel source markets without neglecting key buyers from other important markets, ITB Asia concentrates on small and medium size enterprises that cater to the rising travel demand for innovative niche products and it promises to be the platform not only for leisure buyers but also for meeting planners and corporate travel managers,” said Dr Buck.

Mr Aloysius Arlando, Assistant Chief Executive of the Business Travel and MICE Group, Singapore Tourism Board, said, “We are heartened to see such an encouraging response to the inaugural ITB Asia. It indeed reflects the global industry's focus on seizing the travel and tourism opportunities in Asia Pacific brought about by the region's growing economies and propensity to travel. We are confident that ITB Asia will provide a conducive platform for Asia's travel industry to forge new business partnerships; spot new trends; and discover travel solutions for the Asian visitor. We look forward to a successful show next year, and in welcoming all delegates and visitors to Uniquely Singapore.”

Feedbacks from exhibitors also echo the vision for the show. As Frank Trampert, VP Distribution Services & IT, Carlson Group puts it: “Asia deserves an ITB.” Eric Bello, VP Sales, Las Vegas Sands Corporation, added: “ITB Asia may be the dominant travel trade show of Asia.”

The inaugural ITB Asia is expected to attract around 5,000 delegates, including tourism exhibitors and trade visitors from around the world, especially travel trade players in Asia, such as airlines, tour and hotel operators.

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