ALTM will be held in Shanghai from June 16 to 19, 2008. It is the only event in the Asia Pacific region aimed exclusively for the luxury travel industry. It will be held at the Shanghai Exhibition Centre, following the resounding success of its inaugural event in June 2007.
The invitation only event showcases leading luxury travel suppliers to fully hosted VIP travel buyers. ALTM works on a pre arranged appointment system between buyers and sellers. Jay Martens, event director, said that the Asia Pacific market now has 2.3 million high net worth individuals which is equal to the USA, and accounts for over 50 per cent of the consumption of the $80 billion global luxury goods and services industry.
China is already the world's fourth largest economy and is growing at a much faster rate than markets such as Korea and Japan did at the same point in their history, according to Martens. However, not only new markets in the region are of significance - the wealth disparity in many Asian economies also creates a super rich who have the means and the desire to travel at only the most luxurious end of the market.
One of the exhibitors will be Kempinski Hotels. Christian Renz, vice president global sales, said, “The Asia Pacific region is becoming more and more important to Kempinski and we see a tremendous potential for our expanding portfolio. Not only our new Asian hotels and the Tangula Luxury Train managed by Kempinski, which will start operations as of September 1, are benefiting from this region but also our new hotels in Europe, such as Bruges or Prague as well as the Middle East and Africa, in Soma Bay, Aqaba and Morroco, Tanzania and Namibia.”
VIP buyer Susette van der Linden, regional director, Australia/New Zealand, HelmsBriscoe International said, “The Asia Pacific region is a growing region for HelmsBriscoe. As we build strength and grow in this region it is important that we provide the best information possible to our high-end clients around the world. ALTM allows us to research properties in a focused and most time efficient manner along with developing the relationships with suppliers all the while ensuring our continued success.”
Key exhibitors this year include the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Anantara Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, the Government of Dubai, Jumeirah Group, Kempinski Hotels, Langham Hotels International,Lufthansa German Airlines, Maldives Tourism Promotion Board, Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces, The Leading Hotels of the World, The Oberoi Group, Tiara Hotels, Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve and Wilderness Australia.