This year’s ITB Singapore travel trade show got underway yesterday at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore.
Exhibitors showing a strong presence this year include the Spain Tourism Board, Brand USA as well as the Philippines Tourism Board and Indonesia’s flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia.
At the opening press conference, Dr Christian Goke, CEO of Messe Berlin, the organiser of ITB Asia, said; “This year’s ITB is more international than last year and has a better buyer-to-seller ration than ever before. We have had a 14% increase in buyers, and 35% of these have come from outside Asia.
“The evolution of the business travel sector in Asia Pacific is leading key industry players from across the world to focus more intensely on this market,” he added.
This year’s conference includes a conference track for Chinese language visitors for the first time, and ITB also flew in a number of Chinese buyers to the event.
“The MICE sector in particular is growing exceptionally, accounting for over half of the total business travel market. It is a very resilient segment that is outpacing traditional corporate travel,” continued Goke.
“The progress of Asia’s travel and tourism markets, fuelled by the rising BRIC economies, testifies once again to the region’s immense potential for growth,” said Neeta Lachmandas, assistant chief executive of the Singapore Tourism Board. “Now, more so than ever, we need to encourage greater strategic collaboration among the leaders of the industry.”
ITB Asia will run from 29-31 October.
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