Face-to-Face: Nino Gruettke, ITB Asia
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Nino Gruettke, Executive Director, ITB Asia
1) What are your early predictions for exhibitor numbers at this year’s ITB Asia?
As compared to the same period last year, our bookings are up by 15% in terms of square meters and numbers. We are confident that the figures will continue to grow at this encouraging rate as we draw closer to the show in October.
2) Have you managed to attract any new exhibitors for 2011, and what trends are you noticing in terms of the average floor-space being booked?
Yes, one notable new exhibitor is Hilton Worldwide, the leading global hospitality company with an impressive portfolio of 10 award winning hotel brands. Hilton Worldwide has not only taken up a prime exhibition spot, but also became ITB Asia’s first ever ‘Official Partner Hotel 2011’, hosting buyers and organising exclusive events to showcase their distinctive brand of quality service during the show.
Boosted by last year’s strong performance, we have also seen several new and existing exhibitors expand their presence at the show this year with increased booth sizes, which goes to show that ITB Asia is indeed an effective platform for doing business.
3) How many hosted buyer applications have you seen since registration opened?
With more than six months to go before ITB Asia, we are already seeing stronger registration numbers as compared to the same time last year. However, it is important to note that our focus is on building a quality group of hosted buyers, so we will evaluate the registrations based on the calibre of the buyers and not numbers alone, particularly those who have demonstrated strengths in the MICE and business travel sectors.
4) One interesting concept at this year’s event is the ‘partial-hosted buyer’ initiative. What level of response have you seen/are you expecting for this?
The response has been great so far and the feedback is that people appreciate the flexibility that this latest initiative offers. Many of our buyers are corporate travellers who are provided company travel subsidies and thus most likely prefer this option as it enables them the flexibility to schedule conferences during the show.
5) What other new events and initiatives are planned for ITB Asia 2011?
We will continue to do what worked well last year, such as Associations Day first introduced in 2010 and WIT. One of the new initiatives we recently announced for ITB Asia 2011 is the TTG Asia Travel Agents Conference and more will follow shortly.
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