SINGAPORE, 18 October 2019: ITB Asia concludes today at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore claiming an attendance of 1,300 exhibitors and 1,250 travel buyers.
Over three days from 16 to 18 October the show confirmed face-to-face negotiations and networking are still alive and well in the travel industry all there is considerable pressure for shows to deal with a massive carbon footprint and cut the mountain of garbage and waste left behind.
Commenting on this year’s show, ITB Asia’s organiser Messe Berlin (Singapore) managing director Katrina Leung said: “ITB Asia continues to maintain its position as the leading travel trade show in the region. With the expansion of the show and the launch of MICE Show Asia, we’re delighted to welcome our visitors to this 2019’s edition!”
Now in its 12th year, ITB Asia has expanded its space to occupy two floors of the Sands Expo and Convention Centre.
Emphasising the global reach of ITB Asia, this year’s show has attracted ever-widening international interest and participation. Over 110 National Tourism Organisations (NTO) and Regional Tourism Organisations (RTO) are exhibiting this year, including first-time appearances for NTOs from Armenia, Czech Republic, Malta, Russia and the Balkan States – Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, and RTOs from Busan, Frankfurt, Los Angeles and more.
In addition, with the fast-growing demands of the MICE and corporate travel sectors, ITB Asia launched the inaugural MICE Show Asia, a MICE-dedicated show to which all ITB Asia attendees have full access. Launched by Messe Berlin (Singapore), the team behind ITB Asia, it should strengthen the MICE component of the show. Attendees gained insights and forecasts for the global meeting and events industries in 2020, as well as how digital transformation is impacting the industry.
Under the overarching theme of “Bold Thoughts, Bold Moves,” key industry leaders shared innovative ideas and knowledge on practical applications to keep pace with industry changes.
There was strong participation from online travel agencies such as Booking.com Agoda, Expedia and search and review Google and TripAdvisor. Today will see presentations on the sidelines of the exhibition from Booking.com, OYO China, and Tujia will lead the conversation on maximising opportunities to meet the needs of a new generation of Chinese travellers.
In the Muslim Travel track, CrescentRating, in its fourth year of partnership with ITB Asia, presented “Halal In Travel Asia Summit”.
Attendees gained key insights from the official release of Mastercard and CrescentRating’s Muslim Women in Travel Report, and CrescentRating’s report on Gen Z Muslim Travelers.
New initiatives in response to the travel industry’s ever-growing demands
In addition to the launch of MICE Show Asia, ITB Asia 2019 also introduced the Buyers Elite Partner Programme. In involved 41 partners that provided a forum to develop stronger trade ties with recommended buyers and to maximise business opportunities together.
ITB Asia has announced that it will launch Travel Tech Asia in 2020. A complement to the existing ITB Asia and MICE Show Asia, it will be part of Asia Pacific’s largest travel trade show dedicated to travel-technology.
New buyers in charge of purchasing travel technology will be introduced to the latest innovations, emerging trends, leading industry brands and innovative startups that are gathered at one place to create new possibilities of travel.
