ITB Asia Buyer Registration Now Open Online

Online registration for buyers wanting to attend ITB Asia 2009 has opened. Travel industry executives who are responsible for organising, negotiating or purchasing business travel, conferences, meetings, incentive trips, leisure groups or special events, are qualified to apply for hosted buyer status at ITB Asia 2009.

The 2nd ITB Asia will take place 21-23 October at Suntec in Singapore.

To register for the buyers' programme, applicants simply select and complete the relevant online registration form – for either MICE, corporate travel or leisure.

Each applicant will be subject to a rigorous validation process led by Ms Siti Banding, Assistant Director-Buyers Programme for Messe Berlin (Singapore).

1 July is the deadline for buyer registration submissions. Online applications for buyers can be made here.

“Our strategic objective this year is to increase the quality and quantity of MICE, corporate travel, and group leisure buyers,” said Ms Banding. “We would particularly like to encourage buyer applications from China, Taiwan, Korea, Japan and the Middle East.”

Buyers who pass the validation process will be eligible for varying degrees of logistical support, mostly in transport and accommodation. In addition, they will have full access to all official ITB Asia events and social functions.

Over 800 buyers will be invited to attend ITB Asia this year. This includes 350 top performers from last year and hundreds of new ones. Buyers represent the MICE, leisure and corporate travel markets.

Messe Berlin (Singapore) has hired Ace:Daytons Direct as the hosted buyers’ secretariat and housing bureau. The company will be responsible for handling the air ticketing, hotel and transfer arrangements of validated buyers.

“Exhibitor registration is proceeding well,” said Ms Banding. “We aim to ensure that the quality and quantity of buyers meets and surpasses exhibitor needs. The nature of negotiations between buyers and exhibitors at ITB Asia will tell us if 2010 is going to be a year of recovery in the industry.”

The inaugural ITB Asia 2008 attracted 6,208 attendees and 651 exhibitor companies from 90 countries who met with buyers and trade visitors from 70 countries and territories.

ITB Asia takes place alongside Web in Travel (20-23 October), a travel distribution, marketing and technology conference. There are special rates for travel industry members attending both events. Web in Travel includes The WIT Conference (20-21 October) and The WIT Ideas Lab (9-11am, 22 & 23 October).

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