What novelties have you prepared for this 2019 edition?
For the first time this year, ITB Asia will be organizing the inaugural MICE Show Asia 2019, which will focus on Asia Pacific’s burgeoning MICE sector. Highlight topics that will be discussed during MICE Show Asia include 2020 forecasts for the global meeting and events and the digital transformation of the meeting and events industries.
ITB Asia has also introduced a new Buyers Elite Partner Programme (BEPP) this year. Under this new initiative, every partner that recommends 15 successful buyers to attend the show will be able to receive complimentary hosting by ITB Asia.
The event presents a multifaceted programme with workshops at ITB Asia, and special events. Which of the activities do you think are a must for the visitor or which of them do you highlight?
2019’s programme will kick-start with a series of keynote sessions that will focus on sharing innovative ideas, where attendees can expect to gain knowledge on practical applications to keep pace with industry changes. Recognising the revolutionary impact of technology on the travel industry, speakers from leading online travel agencies (OTA), travel-related partners and technology companies will share their perspectives on how businesses can innovate and leverage on technology as they tackle the challenges of this era. Prominent keynoters include senior representatives from the likes of Booking.com, Expedia, Google, IBM, OYO Hotels & Homes, TripAdvisor, Tujia, Wego and more.
Aside from the keynote sessions, ITB Asia 2019’s conference will also deliver a series of themed sessions, including Corporate Travel, Destination Marketing, Muslim Travel and Travel Technology where attendees will have the opportunity to experience over 200 sessions led by more than 260 speakers. Alongside this event, attendees will get to hear about forecasts for the global meeting and events industries in 2020, and how the industry is transforming at MICE Show Asia.
The MICE Show Asia’s conferences will feature a stellar line-up of speakers from top-tier brands including American Express Meetings & Events, Group GmbH and Cvent. Some of the topics that will be discussed at the travel trade show include 2020 forecasts for the global meeting and events industries, the digital transformation of the meeting and events industries, and the innovative use of technology to captivate event-attendees.
What are the advantages of exhibiting at ITB Asia?
With over 127 countries represented at the event, ITB Asia is the most international travel trade show in the region. Building on its success of past year’s connections, ITB Asia 2019 has already seen a 35% increase in approved buyers. We have buyers coming from across the world, specifically from high-growth markets such as Southeast Asia, China and India. By working closely with both buyers and exhibitors, we look forward to spurring more business opportunities for both parties.
Can you give some tips for those exhibiting for the first time and specifically at ITB Asia? (venue rules, customs, business etiquette...)
Singapore is an award-winning business events destination, clinching the 2018 Best Convention Bureau by CEI Asia Pacific, the 2018 Top Asia-Pacific Meeting City for 17 consecutive years by the International Congress and Convention Association and the 2018 Top International Meeting Country based on the Union of International Associations Global Rankings. Exhibitors not only have access to a suite of attractions and activities in Singapore, the city also boosts strong flight connectivity, a fast and efficient public transport system, strong digital infrastructure and sustainable venues to offset the event’s carbon footprint.
ITB Asia 2019 will be held at Sands Expo & Convention Centre, strategically located in the heart of Singapore’s central business district area with world-class conferencing facilities. ITB Asia 2019 is an Approved International Fair (AIF), an endorsement by the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB) attesting to the quality and international appeal of our show.
Exhibitors attending this year’s show will be able to select from an array of exhibition packages that best serve their business needs to showcase their products, services and destinations.
Can anybody attend ITB Asia? How to register?
Attendees can be part of ITB Asia as a trade visitor, exhibitor or buyer. Trade visitors can learn, network and conduct business with travel trade professionals across the various tourism industry sectors. The registration link for trade visitors can be found over the website.
Current and potential exhibitors can register, gain more information on the stand registration rates and view key exhibition highlights at the ITB Asia website.
Buyers (including C-level executives, corporate companies with incentive programmes, event planners, meeting planners and travel agents) can explore new business frontiers, sign deals, explore travel products and negotiate price packages with exhibitors.
This year, more than 58 National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) and Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) from Asia, Russia and Europe have registered, a year-on-year growth of 23.8% and 25% respectively. We also anticipate an increase in MICE exhibitors, with the launch of the inaugural MICE Show Asia this year.
What is the visitor profile?
Trade visitors, exhibitors and buyers attending ITB Asia come from all corners of the world. For instance, 85% of exhibitors came from the Asian region, while the others represent the remaining key travel markets including Europe, America, Africa, Oceania and the Middle East. With regards to buyers, over 70% of our buyers are based in Asia.
Our visitors also span across various industry sectors such as travel agents, hotel, MICE, Attractions, Airlines, Travel Technology and Destination Management Companies.
Which are the more relevant tradeshows in the sector?
In addition to ITB Asia, visitors can look forward to ITB India, an annual 3-day business-to-business trade show and convention curated to connect one to the Indian Travel Market. The inaugural show will be held in Mumbai, India in 2020. The trade show strives to bring together key travel industry leaders and international exhibitors from the fast-growing Indian and South Asian Markets to forge new partnerships and strengthen existing business relations with the most important players in India.
Similarly, there is also ITB China. The show will be exclusively focused on the Chinese Travel Market, taking place at Shanghai on the 13-15 May 2020. ITB China strives to bring together more than 850 top and hand selected buyers from Greater China to connect with industry professional worldwide. Coinciding with ITB’s travel fair, the ITB China tourism conference will provide information on the latest Chinese travel market trends, enabling unprecedented knowledge transfer throughout the travel exhibition.
The four ITB brands complement each other by catering to the four biggest markets in the world, namely Europe, Asia, China and India, with ITB Asia being the premier meeting place for the travel trade industry to forge new partnerships and strengthen existing business relationships with players in the region.
Can you give us some participation results from the last edition?
In 2018, a record-breaking number of 11,000 delegates from over 127 countries spanning across the MICE, Corporate and Leisure sectors attended ITB Asia. Over 1,000 buyers were present, with a 49% increase in MICE and corporate buyers from 2017. The 2018 edition also registered over 1,000 exhibitors from over 127 countries, with more than 25,000 business appointments secured and a 7.6% increase from 2017 in terms of number of exhibitors showcased. This included new National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) and Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) exhibitors such as Abu Dhabi, Botswana, Canton Sarajevo, Croatia, Fukuoka, Kansai, Mauritius, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Rovaniemi, Slovakia and Ukraine among many others.
