ITB Asia exceeds expectations
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The inaugural ITB Asia in Singapore has proved a success, according to organiser Meese Berlin. After three years of planning this week’s event welcomed 651 exhibiting companies and organisations from 58 countries and territories worldwide, “comfortably exceeding our initial 500-exhibitor target,” according to Messe Berlin’s Chief Executive Officer, Raimund Hosch.
ITB Asia exhibitor space sold out in just nine months, with the number of buyers attending announced at 812, as well as more than 1,000 trade visitors.
“We believe ITB Asia delegates correctly saw this week as their chance to come together from all corners of the industry to discuss proactive policies and plans for the recovery to come,” Hosch said.
Both Messe Berlin and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), its strategic partner in the new venture believe the staging of ITB Asia has proved timely. Due to the current uncertain economic climate, ITB Asia is being seen as a barometer of business confidence in the future of travel and tourism.
“The staging of ITB Asia here comes at a time when the global tourism and economic markets face an uncertain future,” said Lim Neo Chian, Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive of the STB. “However, as a marketplace, ITB Asia will allow Asian and global players to explore new business opportunities, build relationships and network more.”
Certainly if the attendance figures and enthusiasm with which ITB Asia has been received are a true reflection on business confidence as we move into 2009, the tourism industry across Asia has every reason to be hopeful that the good times will return.
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