EIBTM 2004 was attended by buyers from 75 countries when it made its debut in Barcelona. 

A 47 per cent increase in visitor numbers reflected a more than healthy growth in international buyers from countries as far apart as Australia and Czech Republic to Hong Kong and the US. A key reason for moving the event to Barcelona was to attract industry buyers from a greater variety of European countries as well as to tap into the growing Spanish, Portuguese and Brazilian markets, all showing a significant increase at EIBTM 2004. 
This year, the organisers are confident, EIBTM, which will be held from November 29 to December 1 at Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, will become bigger and better.
“I believe that EIBTM has established itself as the world’s international meeting place with our first event in Barcelona reinforcing this,” said Paul Kennedy MBE, group exhibition director. “We want to ensure that EIBTM continues to grow and become ever more truly representative of the industry it serves.
“We will be working more closely this year with hotels and agencies to coordinate buyer groups through streamlined and faster online processes. A number of key new initiatives will also be announced this year that will further develop and enhance  the quality of EIBTM in order to grow our status within the industry and help developing markets expand. Barcelona is set to become the annual focus where the world will meet to discuss, plan and debate key issues as well as do business with a truly international audience – watch this space!”