The Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE) was successfully held for the 12th time at the China National Convention Centre. Covering an area of approximately 22,000 square metres, the three-day mega event involved more than 5,000 exhibitors and buyers from 81 countries and regions, as well as 27 municipalities, provinces and autonomous regions within China. Of these, four countries – Algeria, Bangladesh, Côte d’Ivoire and Mauritius – made their début at BITE 2015. The Expo also attracted over 120,000 visitors, and showcased a diverse range of new travel products and services, as well as unique and exotic destinations.
Attended by government officials, diplomats, exhibitors and other high-profile guests, the curtain was raised for BITE 2015 on Friday, 26 June, through an official Opening Ceremony graced by VIPs and key national tourism representatives such as Mr Roger Kacou, Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Tourism. The grand Opening Ceremony also provided exhibitors and buyers with a valuable opportunity for engagements and interactions in a casual setting.
With an array of exciting activities laid out, BITE 2015 surpassed its predecessor with a series of new breakthroughs and additions. Firstly, to welcome exhibitors and buyers, a Welcome Reception was held for the first time at the Marco Polo Parkside Hotel. Secondly, to provide exhibitors and buyers with key insights into the tourism industry, BITE 2015 held the inaugural Tourism Industry Seminar Series. The seminar session invited leaders from the tourism industry such as Ms Li Ranzi from the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute and Mr Kevin Cheong, Chairman of the Association of Singapore Attractions, to share their experiences and knowledge on the tourism industry.
Thirdly, BITE 2015 provided a bigger platform for meetings between local and international buyers and sellers. Over 3,000 of such meetings were held over three days, with business transactions reaching more than 5.6 billion yuan in value – an increase by 6% as compared to last year.
Fourthly, BITE 2015 offered greater emphasis on on-site sales promotions, with 33 travel agencies receiving travel reservations from about 32,000 customers, as well as revenue from tourism products and services totalling 82.53 million yuan – an increase by 31% compared to last year.
Lastly, BITE 2015 enhanced its service offerings by recruiting more volunteers to assist exhibitors at their booths, and provided quality facilities such as media zones and lounges for exhibitors and buyers.
Apart from the above highlights, the International Hall was highly vibrant and bustling with life. Countries such as Peru, Thailand and India offered an interesting variety of entertainment and performances for visitors. These included Peruvian and Thai dances, a cross-cultural martial arts performance showcasing Indian kalaripayattu and Chinese wushu, a chocolate fountain at the Côte d’Ivoire booth, cosplay and photoshoot opportunities at the Japanese and Korean pavilions, as well as models in ethnic costumes parading around the exhibition hall to promote their travel destinations. Moreover, attractive prizes such as a three-night hotel stay in Dubai sponsored by Abatera Tourism and a round-trip air ticket to Kuala Lumpur sponsored by AirAsia were given out through lucky draws at BITE 2015.
Apart from the interesting showcase, the International Hall at BITE 2015 helped to serve as an ideal platform to facilitate international and regional travel collaborations through various activities. For example, Buyers and Sellers’ Meetings were organised on the eve of the exhibition’s official launch to provide a conducive environment for international exhibitors to engage in one-on-one discussions with local buyers.
Destination Presentation sessions were also scheduled on the first day of the exhibition to help international exhibitors promote their travel packages and destinations to all interested trade buyers. Participating exhibitors for the sessions included the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Brand USA, Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Greek National Tourism Organisation, European Tourist Union, Côte d’Ivoire Tourisme, and Moscow Exhibition & Convention Agency.
To conclude BITE 2015 on a high note, a special awards ceremony was held on the last day of the three-day event to celebrate yet another year of success, as well as to recognise the efforts of exhibitors in showcasing their countries and destinations. The awards included “Most Organised Booth”, “Best Exhibition Booth”, “Best Designed Booth”, “Most Creative Booth”, “Most Popular Booth” and “Best Product Sales Booth”.
Jointly organised by the Singapore-based Conference & Exhibition Management Services (CEMS), Beijing Relation Conference & Exhibition Services, and Beijing Municipal Commission of Tourism Development, BITE 2015 upheld its image as a robust and colourful presentation of travel products and services
The next instalment of the BITE series will be held in June 2016 at the China National Convention Centre.
2015北京国际旅游博览会颁发名单
BITE15 award List
最佳展台奖Most Popular Booth
1， 阿尔及利亚国家旅游局 NATIONAL TOURISM BOARD OF ALGERIA
2， 欧洲旅游联盟 EU Tourist Union
3， 马来西亚旅游促进局 Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board
4， 孟加拉旅游局 Bangladesh Tourism Board
5， 荷兰至活旅游 GEG Travel
最佳人气Most Popular Booth
1， 日本展团Japan National Tourism Organisation
2， 韩国旅游发展局Korea Tourism Organisation
3， 泰国国家旅游局 Tourism Authority of Thailand
4， 斯里兰卡旅游促进局 Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau
5， 捷克旅游局 Czech Tourism
最佳设计Best Designed Booth
1， 俄罗斯旅游局 Visit Russia
2， 美国旅游推广局 Brand USA
3， 亚洲航空 Air Asia X
4， 曼谷旅游局 Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Tourism Division
5， Royal Plaza Hotel & Casino
6， 多米尼加旅游局 Ministry of Tourism of the Dominica Republic
最佳组织Most Organized Booth
1， 土耳其大使馆文化与新闻处Turkish Embassy, Culture & Information Section
2， 希腊国家旅游组织 Greek National Tourism Organisation
3， 科特迪瓦旅游局 Cote D’ivoire Tourism
4， 毛里求斯旅游局 MTPA
5， 喀拉拉邦旅游局 Kerala Tourism
6， 墨西哥旅游局 Mexico Tourism Board
7， 瑞士国家旅游局 Switzerland Tourism
最佳创意Most Creative Booth
1， 俄罗斯联邦旅游机构 The Federal Agency for Tourism, Russia
2， 摩洛哥国家旅游局 Moroccan Government Tourist Offices
3， 塞舌尔旅游局 Seychelles Tourism Board
4， 印度旅游局 India Tourism Beijing Office
5， 柬埔寨旅游局 Ministry of Tourism Cambodia
