The 17th International Travel Expo Hong Kong (ITE) is expected to create unprecedented success with its launch on September 25 at Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
Almost all exhibition space has already been sold out.
To date, the show has recorded a 30-per-cent rise in exhibitor number compared to its last edition held in June 2. With the participation of around 600 exhibitors from over 90 countries/regions, ITE is undoubtedly one of the largest travel shows in Asia post-SARS.
Apart from the continuous support from its frequent participants, such as China, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan, Taiwan, Malaysia, Korea, Philippines, and India, ITE also attracts a number of newcomers from different dimensions of the travel trade sector.
National/regional tourism organisations of Kenya, Nepal, and Canada as well as airlines including American Airlines, Kenya Airways and Mekong Air are fresh to the show.
ITE was postponed from June 3 to September 25-28 due to SARS. The long-awaited ITE receives even greater demand from the travel trade sector in the post-SARS period.
In order to boost tourism, exhibitors including Hong Kong, Macau and Kenya requested a much larger exhibition space. Other participants followed suit but were disappointed due to space limitations.
The increasing number of exhibitors is expected to be a magnet for quality trade visitors. Pre-registered trade visitors can enjoy free admission whilst walk-in trade visitors will be charged HK$30.
Interested trade visitors can simply enter the ITE website (www.itehk.com) for registration and will then receive an online e-ticket which will entitle them to free admission. The first two days of the show are designated exclusively for trade visitors.