ITB Asia registrations defy downturn
SINGAPORE – Exhibitor registrations for ITB Asia are up 20 percent compared to same period last year.
However, the current economic recession has hit small and medium-sized enterprises. Their bookings for ITB Asia 2009 are down 25 percent.
Hotel bookings for the show, which takes place October 21-23 in Singapore, are down seven percent.
Nevertheless, some big hotel companies have bucked the trend and increased their presence. These include WORLDHOTELS (up 100%), Moevenpick Hotels (up 100%), Carlson Hotels (up 50%) and Park Hotels (up 39%).
With three months to the show, new exhibiting organisations include the Japan National Tourism Organisation, THAI Airways International, Qatar Airways and Sharjah Tourism.
The city tourism bodies of Shanghai, Osaka and Busan have united to promote their own unique “Golden Triangle†at ITB Asia for the first time.
National Tourism Organisations have also increased stand space. Cambodia, Dubai, Maldives, Myanmar, Sarawak, Slovenia and Tanzania have doubled their exposure compared to last year.
General manager of Messe Berlin (Singapore), Whey Whey Ng, said: “Ahead of the economic upturn expected next year, exhibitors and buyers are choosing ITB Asia because it is a travel trade show they can rely on to deliver results in trying times.â€
Ian Jarrett
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