ITB Asia 2016 projects numerous firsts


By Gina Sin on 20/10/2016


Singapore - The ninth and biggest ITB Asia trade show yet kicked off at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, on October 19, 2016, with record high pre-matched appointments, new partnerships and a comprehensive content lineup.

More than 15,000 mutually matched appointments between exhibitors and buyers were secured prior to the show, with over 60 percent of confirmed buyers recommended through exhibitors and trade show partners, according to Katrina Leung, Executive Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore).

Google and Booking.com kicked off the three-day event sharing about the impact of digital disruption and trends driving the travel experience.

In addition, a stimulating panel discussion by some of ITB Asia’s new partners such as CrescentRating and International SOS provided insights into key corporate trends affecting the travel industry in Asia Pacific and how businesses can effectively engage with the different generation of travellers. With business travellers making up 20 percent of the travel market and three times the spend as compared to leisure travellers, the panel urged businesses to not only focus on investing in the infrastructure, but also invest in technologies and activities that encourage two-way engagement.

FAST FACTS:

  • Keynote sessions stretched across all three days, with the inaugural MICE Day on October 20 extended to a full-day conference lineup
  • New partnerships with prominent industry bodies such as the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) and the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS), and renewed agreement with the Incentive Conference & Event Society Asia Pacific (ICESAP)
  • Indonesia, Finland and Japan have increased their exhibition space by more than 60 percent this year, with Indonesia making a record-breaking booth space of 400 sq m and 90 suppliers on its exhibition stand
  • Newcomers exhibiting include Panama and Taiwan
  • An increase in show presence from airlines such as Singapore Airlines, Qatar Airways, Air Berlin and Finnair


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