The 2nd ITB Asia closed in Singapore with 6,149 attendees joining the three-day event, compared to 6,208 last year. Messe Berlin (Singapore) Director, Dr Martin Buck, said: “The result is solid considering the nature of 2009. The performance is a strong base which promises real growth in 2010.”

While the number of exhibiting organizations increased to 679 compared to 651 last year, companies sent fewer representatives. Invited buyers declined from 812 last year to 553 because Messe Berlin implemented higher vetting standards. It was a policy that paid off.

Stefan Luzar, CEO, Triple MPR Group in Germany, said: “ITB Asia was very helpful and it is as good as IT&CMA for MICE – but also better because it gives a good combination of leisure travel and MICE.”

Messe Berlin (Singapore) introduced one-day trade visitor passes this year for the first time. Many trade visitors took advantage of it as it gave show floor access for only US$50. Trade visitor attendance on the last day rose 52% compared to last year.

A preliminary onsite trade visitor survey conducted by Gelszus Messe-Marktforschung, a market research company based in Germany, showed that overall trade visitor approval ratings for the 2009 show were 80.2%. Some 85.6% of trade visitors said they would recommend ITB Asia to colleagues and business partners. In the survey, 87.2% said they would attend ITB Asia next year.

Before the Opening Ceremony at a small talk
Guest of Honour Mr Lim Hng Khiang Minister for Trade & Industry, Singapore and Mr Raimund Hosch, CEO of Messe Berlin (left)

Charlie De Lorme, Director Economic Development & Visitor Services, Utah Office & Tourism, said: “We have interest from Singapore, India, Korea, Russia, China and Australia. We are very pleased with the quality of the leads and contacts, especially from the MICE segment. In fact, we forwarded some inquiries to our suppliers in Utah and they are already in touch with these contacts.”

Frans Betgem, Co-Founder of Bangkok based Khiri Travel, said: “We will be back next year. Singapore is a great destination for this show.”

ITB Asia’s partnership with Web In Travel technology, marketing and distribution conference deepened. As a value added offer to ITB Asia guests, the Web in Travel Ideas Lab on 22 and 23 October was free to ITB Asia delegates. There were 280 attendees on day one and 166 on day 2. Some 384 attendees joined Web In Travel for the first part of the conference 20 and 21 October.

ITB Asia was supported by Singapore Tourism Board (STB). Melissa Ow, Assistant Chief Executive, Business Travel & MICE Group, STB, said: We are heartened by the robust attendance and exhibitor representation which was achieved at this second edition of ITB Asia, reflecting the improving economic situation globally. Over 6,000 delegates attended ITB Asia this year and the number of exhibitors exceeded 650. Bolstered by this performance, ITB Asia has solidified its status as one of the region’s top tourism trade shows, and has proven its strong appeal for travel trade providers, professionals and experts from around the world. This testifies to the resilience of the travel and tourism industry in Asia-Pacific, and with Asia being poised to lead a worldwide economy recovery that is now underway, we are confident that ITB Asia is well-placed to fuel the continued growth of the region’s travel industry.”

VIP Guided Tour: Mr Raimund Hosch, CEO , Messe Berlin (o.t.r.) and Guest of Honour Mr Lim Hng Khiang Minister for Trade & Industry, Singapore