SINGAPORE, 18 October 2018: The 11th ITB Asia 2018 kicked off claiming a record-breaking number of exhibitors and buyers.
Exhibition space was sold out by mid-August with 1,000 exhibitors registered, who were given appointments with 1,000 buyers.
ITB officials said there was a 20% increase in new exhibitors signing up for this year’s show, but no information was provided on the buyer breakdown, or the number of new buyers at the show. Figures are not independently verified or audited.
But ITB Asia’s management team said there was a 125% increase in hotel groups signing up for the Buyers Programme Partners, which gave them the right to present lists of recommended buyers as part of ITB’s prequalified buyer initiative.
The show is being held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore through to Friday 19 October.
Under the overarching theme, “Travel Reimagined”, industry leaders will deliver insights on the key trends provoking disruption across the travel industry and how brands are innovating to stay competitive.
“ITB Asia continues to maintain its position as the leading travel trade show in Asia. It remains one of the top business platforms for connecting exhibitors and partners with key decision makers in the MICE, Corporate and Leisure travel industry. Working in close collaboration with our partners and exhibitors, we are delighted to unveil one of our most engaging and exciting programmes yet. We look forward to welcoming visitors to this year’s show,” said Messe Berlin (Singapore), managing director Katrina Leung, the organiser of ITB Asia.
During the opening day conference sessions, Microsoft and Google provided insights on what will disrupt and change the way we travel and do business, while Ctrip shed light on challenging the international travel market.
Today, Thursday 18 October, leading companies will discuss the future of travel distribution. The line-up includes Booking.com, Hotelbeds Group, Jacobs Media Group, KAYAK, Skyscanner and Triptease.
On Friday, the final day of the show, Thomas Cook, Mileslife, Tujia, Fliggy & Dragon Trail Interactive will discuss how Chinese travellers are changing the world and how brands can win them over.
The number of corporate and MICE participants at ITB Asia has increased by 49% compared to last year.
To reflect this strong support and an increased focus in this area, ITB Asia will launch several new initiatives for the MICE and corporate segments, including gathering industry leaders at the newly launched MICE & Corporate Hub.
Confirmed partners and speakers include Airbnb for Work, CWT Meetings & Events, site and Troovo.
Other new initiatives include the dedicated MICE & Corporate Speed Networking sessions and the MICE Tech Showcase, which will feature innovations that are helping to solve today’s complex issues in the MICE industry.
The show has seen a 20% increase, including registrations from National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) and Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs). ITB Asia has also welcomed new NTO exhibitors from Abu Dhabi, Botswana, Croatia, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea as well as RTO exhibitors such as Fukuoka, Kansai and Rovaniemi.
Asian exhibitors continue to dominate the show floor this year, but there has been an increase in European exhibitors participating in the show for the first time.
These include the Ministry of Transport & Construction of the Slovak Republic, Polish Tourism Organisation, Tourism Association of Canton Sarajevo and Visit Ukraine.
The launch of a dedicated Muslim Pavilion, housing the Muslim Travel Showcase sees Muslim travel as a key theme for ITB Asia this year. With the release of the Mastercard-Halal Trip Digital Muslim Travel Report (DMTR) 2018, the latest insights and in-depth analysis into the Muslim travel market and behaviours when it comes to trip planning, research and engagement in the digital space will be revealed. CrescentRating will present its ‘Halal in Travel Asia Summit’ focusing on the key theme of ‘Innovation & Technology in the Muslim Travel Space’ as it continues its partnership for the third year running.
