THE International Tourism Trade Fairs Association (ITTFA), has launched an innovative programme to support and develop new travel trade shows around the globe.
ITTFA is dedicated to the continual development of the travel trade show industry, increasing participation and setting high standards across Europe and worldwide. Changes to entry requirements and the annual fee structure over the past few years have meant that membership is more accessible to smaller and developing shows, as well as established ones. However, the Association has now gone one step further and introduced ITTFA Incubator which offers new shows an opportunity to benefit from the backing of the association and the experience and expertise of its members for minimum outlay.
To encourage the growth of new shows, particularly in emerging markets, will strengthen the industry at grass roots level and provide new opportunities for all. ITTFA hopes to help set good standards from the outset, offering advice and support with models of good practice from its own members.
Tom Nutley, who has been chairman of ITTFA since he helped to establish the original association in 1992, said: “Growth markets are an integral part of the future development and success of travel exhibitions and I am delighted that we now have an opportunity to assist new shows by providing them with a voice and an arena to promote their event, supported by tried and trusted organisational methods.
“As many travel enterprises struggle to maintain their markets, it is even more important to have the support and backing of other industry colleagues. Even long-standing shows in traditional markets are re-thinking their operational methods and one key benefit of ITTFA is that members can swop advice and ideas and discuss methods that are already up and running in other markets. Encouraging new and improved relationships in the international tourism trade fair industry is a key objective for the association which will further enable all of our members to obtain maximum benefit from opportunities worldwide”.
Akwaaba: African Travel Market (AfTM) is currently a member of ITTFA and now in its sixth year and is the only international travel fair in West Africa, an area with a population of 270 million people and 15 countries. Over the last few years AfTM has become the most important travel marketing platform in the region drawing attendance from more than 20 countries and is now a major fixture in the events calendar for Africa.
Ikechi Uko, CEO of the organising company said: “Membership offers us an opportunity to network, learn and operate amongst shows of the highest standards. It offers us the opportunity to provide our audience with the combined experience of our peers in the association thus bringing to the shores of West Africa global best practices in the exhibition business. Membership of this well-respected group will further position AfTM as an international event.”