Inaugural ITB Asia Launched Successfully in Singapore

17 Nov 2008 2098 | World Travel News

651 travel exhibitor companies from 58 countries and territories converged to Singapore on Wednesday for the launch of the inaugural ITB Asia travel tradeshow (22-24 October).

10,600 square metres of space at the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre has been allocated to the three-day B2B event which sold out more than three months ago.

ITB Asia began on Wednesday morning with an official opening ceremony were CEO Messe Berlin, Mr Raimund Hosch, the organizer of ITB Berlin, spoke about the company?s foray into Singapore. ?ITB Asia is our first brand extension of ITB Berlin,? Mr Hosch said.

?ITB Asia is a very robust new travel tradeshow. It has come at the right time,? he said.

Minister for Trade & Industry, Mr Lim Kiang also spoke about the future plans of ITB Asia before the famous Singaporean group T?ang Quartet treated the audience to a symphony of classical tunes.

This was followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony presided over by Mr Kiang, Mr Hosch and Mr Ernest Hinsken, Federal Government Commissioner of Tourism Germany which marked the official launch of the trade show.

A media conference was held later on in the morning to discuss the travel industry?s positive response to ITB Asia and the impact which the economic crisis has had on the industry. ?
Mr Hosch said that the catastrophic state of the global economy may have added impetus and importance to the event.

?The world?s travel professionals have turned out in force, despite or even because of, economic uncertainties. Indeed, ITB Asia is the perfect platform to discuss future paths, policies and plans and prepare for the recovery to come,? he said.

Mr Lim Neo Chian, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board said: ?On behalf of the Singapore Tourism Board, I would like to congratulate Messe Berlin for staging the inaugural ITB Asia, the fruition of our vision for an Asian edition of the world?s largest tourism tradeshow to create an international platform with a strong focus on Asian buyers and sellers.

?The overwhelming response from the international travel industry to the first edition of ITB Asia is testament to the Asian region?s strong demand for leisure, business and niche travel products.?

Mr Lim concluded, ?I hope that our international visitors and delegates will find ITB Asia a prime platform in this current uncertain economic climate to explore business opportunities, connect with Asian travel industry players and tap into Asia?s strong propensity for travel.?

Mr Hosch expressed his hopes that ITB Asia will be as successful as its sister show, ITB Berlin, the world?s largest travel trade show.

ITB Berlin which began humbly in 1966 with just 12 exhibitors from seven countries has transformed into an indestructible force, with 11,000 exhibitors from 185 countries recorded at its last event.

ITB Asia has built a strong foundation to one day achieve the same level of success as ITB Berlin.

The inaugural ITB Asia attracted 652 travel exhibitors which included 280 accommodation entities (43% of all exhibitors), 178 tour operator/travel agencies (27%), 81 government tourism organizations or associations (12%), 29 travel technology companies (4%), 26 transport/carrier companies (4%), 22 business travel/MICE service suppliers (3%), 12 consultancies (2%), 10 media exhibitors (2%) and 13 others.

Source = e-Travel Blackboard: C.F