Singapore signs MoU to Host Asian Edition of ITB

Messe Berlin, organizer of the world’s largest travel trade show, the ITB, and the Singapore Tourism Board signed a deal on Wednesday that will see Singapore host the show’s first-ever Asian Edition annually from October 2008 onwards.

Mr Lim Neo Chian, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board and Mr Raimund Hosch, President and CEO of Messe Berlin, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at an inauguration ceremony held at Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre. The signing of the MOU was witnessed by Senator Harald Wolf, Senator for Economics, Technology and Women’s Issues and the Mayor of Berlin and Dr. Martin Buck, Director of ITB Berlin.

Mr Raimund Hosch, President and CEO of Messe Berlin, commented on the move saying, “We are very pleased to be hosting ITB’s first Asian edition in Singapore. It is Asia’s top convention city for the past 23 consecutive years according to the Union of International Associations Global Rankings, as well as the world’s leading business city, so it provides us with the optimal, strategic platform to host this event, and hopefully many others drawn from the stable of events organised by Messe Berlin.”

“Singapore is also a critical hub for business exchange as well as inter-regional and intra-regional trade. With 2.8 billion people within a 7-hour flight radius, it is ideally positioned to attract the largest regional audience. Having embarked on the development of appealing and exciting attractions, lifestyle and entertainment offerings of world-class stature such as the two Integrated Resorts, Singapore is able to continue to offer business visitors an exhilarating blend of leisure activities which has been a major determinant in its ability to draw discerning business travellers from all over the world,” Mr Hosch added.

The organizers’ decision was also positively influenced by Singapore’s track record and proven ability to hold large-scale and major business events, as well as its dynamic and exciting range of entertainment and leisure options, offering business visitors a holistic and uniquely enriching experience.

“ITB Asia 2008 will draw some 10,000 overseas delegates, contributing significantly to our Tourism 2015 targets and vision. Over 500 exhibitors from more than 50 countries are expected to participate in the inaugural event. It will augment our calendar of business events, and reinforce Singapore’s reputation as an exchange capital of the world that catalyses business success for event organizers and business visitors. We hope to work with Messe Berlin to anchor more events from their stable of branded international events here, and to attract more mega shows and companies to base themselves in Singapore,” said Mr Lim Neo Chian, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive of Singapore Tourism Board.

The inaugural ITB Asia will be held from 22-24 October, 2008. The initial focus will be on buyers and sellers in the region, but as the event grows, it aims to attract tourism exhibitors, buyers and trade visitors from all over the world and across the full spectrum of the tourism industry, including tour operators, airlines and hotels.

Messe Berlin will set up a Singapore subsidiary to manage ITB Asia. The primary activity of the office will be to plan and organize ITB Asia in Singapore. In addition, the Singapore office will promote attendance for Messe Berlin’s portfolio of events worldwide.

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