MESSE Berlin (Singapore), organiser of ITB Asia, has announced that all available booth space for this year’s show has been completely sold-out four months ahead of the event in October.
Many exhibitors have also taken advantage of a new two-year contract scheme to snap up 14 per cent of the prime booth space in 2012.
“Asia Pacific is the fastest growing travel market in the world and with close to 800 exhibiting companies from 60 countries participating, it is clear that ITB Asia is a must-attend event for companies looking to establish a strong presence here. The exceptional sales performance demonstrates the show’s growing importance and is a validation from our peers that ITB Asia is indeed an effective and critical platform for marketing, networking and learning all about the Asian travel market,” said Nino Gruettke, executive director of ITB Asia.
More than a third of the exhibitors are first time participants such as Guam Visitors Bureau, Wyndham Hotels and the Majestic Hotel Group. A notable new exhibitor is Hilton Worldwide, the leading global hospitality company with an impressive portfolio of 10 award-winning hotel brands. Hilton Worldwide has not only taken up a prime exhibition spot, but is also ITB Asia’s first ever ‘Official Partner Hotel 2011’, hosting buyers and organising exclusive events to showcase its distinctive brand of quality hospitality during the show.
Around 20 per cent of returning exhibitors have also bolstered their presence at the show by increasing booth space, particularly those from national tourism organisations.
Returning exhibitor Korea National Tourism Organisation has expanded its floor space nine-fold and the booth sizes of the tourism ministries from Indonesia and Israel have also increased 40 per cent.
Some 10 per cent of exhibitors who used to co-share a booth in the past have converted to taking independent stands. This demonstrates that participation in ITB Asia in past years has clearly reaped good return on investment.