ITB Asia most important travel event in Asia
Almasalla Travel News – Ashraf El gedawy – ITB Asia has proved to be the most attended event in Asia, said Dr Christian Goke, CEO Messe Berlin, organiser of ITB Asia, addressing the opening press conference of ITB Asia 2013 Wednesday.
The support of the emerging economic powerhouses like China, India and Southeast Asia, the region has confirmed itself as one of the driving forces in world travel and has set another all-time record. The Asia Pacific travel market overtook Europe to become the world’s biggest regional travel market in 2012, earning gross bookings of $326.2 billion and the impressive figure is expected to grow another 8 per cent in 2013.
“What we are doing now is bringing East and West together,” he said. Asia Pacific has become the world’s largest travel market and is expected to reach US$351.9 billion this year according to industry research authority, PhoCusWright. These latest figures were released at the sixth edition of ITB Asia,The Trade Show for the Asian Travel Market, which takes place at the Suntec Singapore Exhibition and Convention Centre till Friday, October 25.
The positive growth numbers on the travel market are reflected at this year’s show as ITB Asia also reports a strong showing of 825 exhibiting companies from 73 countries. The show completely sold out four months ahead with many exhibitors increasing their presence.
Nations represented among the record 50 international pavilions includes first time exhibitors Greece and Russia, clear evidence of the importance that these key emerging players place on ITB Asia as a gateway to the Asian travel market.
This year’s show also sees the largest representation ever from the United States taking up an increase of 90% of booth space with 30% more exhibitors compared to 2012. Exhibitors from Europe have also taken 20% more floor space this year and there are almost 60% per cent more first time exhibitors representing emerging markets in 2013.
More important than the number of delegates, ITB Asia maintains its strong focus on ensuring a well-balanced mix of geographical markets and sectors such as MICE, leisure, and corporate travel to uphold the quality of buyer-seller experience.
Source:- ITB-Asia
