Singapore (October 30, 2009). As shortly reported last week, ITB Asia closed with a solid result. 6,149 attendees joined the second tourism trade show in Asia, only a few people less compared to last year while the number of exhibitors increased.
Dr Martin Buck, Messe Berlin (Singapore) Director, said: “The result is solid considering the nature of 2009. The performance is a strong base which promises real growth in 2010.” The number of exhibiting organisation slightly increased to 679 present companies in 2009 compared to 651 in 2008. Invited buyers declined from 812 last year to 553 because Messe Berlin implemented higher vetting standards. However, the policy “quality over quantity” paid off.
Stefan Luzar, CEO, Triple MPR Group in Germany, confirmed it: “ITB Asia was very helpful and it is as good as IT&CMA for MICE - but also better because it gives a good combination of leisure travel and MICE.” Messe Berlin (Singapore) introduced one-day trade visitor passes this year for the first time. Many trade visitors took advantage of it as it gave show floor access for only USD 50.
A preliminary onsite trade visitor survey conducted by Gelszus Messe-Marktforschung, a market research company based in Germany, showed that overall trade visitor approval ratings for the 2009 show were 80.2%. Some 85.6% of trade visitors said they would recommend ITB Asia to colleagues and business partners. In the survey, 87.2% said they would attend ITB Asia next year.
ITB Asia’s partnership with Web In Travel technology, marketing and distribution conference deepened. As a value added offer to ITB Asia guests, the Web in Travel Ideas Lab on 22 and 23 October was free to ITB Asia delegates. There were 280 attendees on day one and 166 on day 2. Some 384 attendees joined Web In Travel for the first part of the conference 20 and 21 October.
ITB Asia 2009 has solidified its status as one of the leading tourism trade shows in Asia-Pacific. / kn
Oct 23, 2009 ITB Asia sends positive signals
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