THE launch edition of International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Japan which took place in Kyoto from March 11 to 13, 2013, facilitated over 2,500 business meetings when it took place over the last three days in Kyoto.
ILTM Japan 2013 welcomed over 100 buyers and exhibitors in an agenda of one to one appointments – pre‐selected by both exhibitor and buyer to maximise business – during this dedicated Japan event. Following the traditional ILTM format, both buyers and exhibitors were required to follow a strict accreditation process in order to participate.
Alison Gilmore, exhibition director, ILTM Portfolio commented: “ILTM Japan is the first of our market specific events and was launched with two clear objectives: to introduce the international luxury travel agent to the modern Japan of today – still considered an untapped luxury tourism destination – and to nurture an understanding of the culture of Japanese high-end travellers.”
According to a recent study by the Development Bank of Japan, the number of tourists visiting Japan from other Asian countries by 2017 is forecast to be 41 per cent higher than last year’s total. The Japanese government is targeting an annual total of 25 million foreign visitors by 2020.
“ILTM Japan has given us a wonderful opportunity to grow our network: we have met with a significant number of decision makers representing our target audience – high-end VIP visitors to Japan,” commented Hideharu Ohta, president of the Daishichi Sake Brewery in Japan.
Japanese buyer Tatsuya Masubuchi of Roots & Partners said, “ILTM Japan has been fantastic for both buyers and exhibitors as it matches us according to our needs – it fits my business and our high-end clients who are travelling globally. It is great to have an ILTM event exclusively focussed on Japan.”
ILTM AFRICA
The second country specific event in the ILTM global portfolio, ILTM Africa 2013 taking place from April 8-9, 2013 in Cape Town will also include the first ILTM Africa Forum – a live debate led by some of Africa’s leading industry figures who will discuss the rise of luxury travel, the issues that this has brought to the continent, and how safari tourism has moved upmarket.
The Forum, facilitated by international African Travel Writer, Graham Boynton will take place on April 8 at the Mount Nelson Hotel, the same venue as the ILTM Africa showcase, will give an insight into the infrastructure and tourism assets of his region and beyond.
Boynton will then facilitate a lively debate on “The Issues Facing the Luxury Travel Market” looking at perception versus reality – how the outside world sees Africa – and the impact of recent changes that have taken place in the market, plus how the luxury African product has evolved and the key issue of intra-country air connections.
In its first year, ILTM Africa 2013 will be the first invitation only event in Africa to showcase 70 exclusively African travel experiences who will meet with 70 international Hosted Buyers, dedicated to creating and planning luxury travel inbound to Africa.