This year’s ITB Asia travel trade show will feature a new layout.
According to the event’s organiser, Messe Berlin, the new layout, which includes a main central walkway, is intended to “help visitors navigate the event with even more ease and [provide] increase exposure for exhibitors”. This year’s event will be held in a new venue, The Sands Expo and Convention Center, due to the refurbishment of Suntec Singapore.
The show has now sold-out following the close of exhibitor applications in May, five months ahead of the event.
“Each year the show gets bigger and better. We increased capacity by 20% after a record performance in 2011 and with five months to go until ITB Asia 2012, we’ve not only filled the venue but there’s already a waiting list of companies still interested in participating this year,” said Nino Gruettke, Executive Director of ITB Asia.
“We’ve also decided to give the show a refreshed look to accommodate the growing number of visitors and exhibitors we expect to see at ITB Asia 2012. There will be a new central walkway which will enable visitors to navigate the different exhibiting regions with ease and exhibitors can also expect maximum exposure with the new layout,” he added.
This year’s show is expected to see a strong presence from emerging markets, including South America and Southern Africa. South American exhibitors have doubled their floor space this year, with Peru’s tourism board returning to the show after a three-year absence, and a new pavilion collectively set up by the tourism boards of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia and Venezuela. Southern African exhibitors will take up 2.5 times more floor space this year, compared to 2011.
“Asia Pacific is definitely one of the engines driving global tourism forward. Both inbound and outbound travel from this region is increasing steadily year on year and these figures confirm the optimism that international exhibitors are already demonstrating at this year’s ITB Asia,” said Gruettke.
Another region with increased floor space bookings is Southeast Asia. Thailand has increased booth space, with the tourism boards of Phuket and Hua Hin setting up dedicated pavilions at this year’s show. Philippine Department Of Tourism also returns to ITB Asia 2012 after a three-year absence.
ITB Asia has also attracted a number of international hotel groups this year including Starwood Asia Pacific, Fairmont Raffles Hotels and Hilton Worldwide. Pan Pacific Singapore, a first time exhibitor, will be the Official Partner Hotel for ITB Asia 2012.
Last year the show attracted more than 7,500 attendees, an increase of around 14% from 2010, representing more than 90 countries – 50% more than 2010.
ITB Asia 2012 will be held from 17-19 October at The Sands Expo and Convention Center, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.
