More than 400 exhibitors from 45 countries took part in the Hong Kong's only travel show, the 15th International Travel Expo held last month.

The show was opened by Hong Kong's tourism commissioner, Rebecca Lai, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The annual event occupied a floor space of more than 12,000 square metres, an increase of 20 per cent over the last year.

China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), again, had the biggest pavilion at the show.

Malaysia, Bahrain, Thailand, Philippines, Taiwan and Japan all expanded their presence this year, according to the organisers, Asdale Exhibition Services.

In addition to the substantial number of anchor exhibitors, national and regional tourism organisations (NTOs) from Brunei, Poland, Finland, Switzerland, Germany, India, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Chicago, Montana, Idaho and Canada took part for the first time.