Singapore (October 24, 2008). After 42 years in Berlin, the first ITB (International Tourism Fair) outside Germany and Europe opened this week. The first "ITB Asia" received a favourable welcome in Singapore. The B2B fair began on Wednesday with 651 exhibitors from 58 countries. By way of comparison: in 1966 in Berlin, 12 exhibitors from seven countries held stands - and this year, the world`s largest tourism fair in Berlin counted 11,000 exhibitors from 186 destinations. By the end of the fair this Friday night, an expected 50,000 visitors will have attended the event in Singapore. Messe Berlin, which organises the event, reaffirmed its intention to create a fixed place for the ITB Asia in the industry`s appointment calendar. "We want to move closer to the Asian markets," Raimund Hosch, head of Messe Berlin explained of the decision. In Berlin, around one third of visitors are from Asia; the potential for Singapore (and Berlin) is therefore high.
For the Singapore Tourist Board, which supported Messe Berlin in the "Hosted Buyer Program", the ITB Asia sits well together with its tourism master plan of turning Singapore into a tropical shopping paradise, a convention hub and city with exciting attractions such as the recent night-time Formula 1 event. Politicians from all Germany`s main political parties flew to Singapore to attend the opening of the event. More on the ITB and the current mood in Asia next week. - The photo shows (from left) Raimund Hosch, President and CEO of Messe Berlin; Lim Neo Chian, CEO Tourism Singapore Board; Ernst Hinsken, Federal Govenment Commissioner for Tourism in Germany; and Martin Buck, Director Messe Berlin (Singapore). / map
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