ITB Asia, ‘Asia’s Leading Travel Trade Show’, came to a close today at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, having attracted a record number of 13,000 attendees from 132 countries and territories. The show saw strong participation this year with over 1,300 exhibitors and more than 1,250 buyers. The three-day exhibition also saw more than 27,000 business appointments made, a 7.4% year-on-year growth.
In its twelfth year running, this year’s conference programme brought together thought leaders from across the MICE, Leisure, Corporate, and Travel Tech sectors to explore how businesses can turn creative ideas into bold, yet practical, initiatives to keep pace with technological developments in the travel industry. Across the three days of the conference, attendees were able to hear from more than 270 speakers, including Booking.com, Expedia, IBM, OYO China, TripAdvisor, Tujia and more. For the first time, attendees also got a chance to gain detailed understanding of some of the most important practices and trends that are defining the future of MICE events at ITB Asia’s inaugural MICE Show Asia. With a turnout that exceeded expectations, the successful debut gives grounds for optimism for the future expansion of this dedicated marketplace.
Dr. Christian Göke, Chief Executive Officer, Messe Berlin said: “After 12 years, ITB Asia experienced strong growth again. This new record clearly demonstrates that the show is well accepted by the industry around the world as the must-attend event in Asia. Messe Berlin is delighted to continue the strategic partnership with Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) from 2020 to 2022. We very quickly realized that not only could we benefit from the extension, but that the whole of the global travel industry stood to benefit as well. I am also pleased to know that every year the team and all partners involved work hard to design ITB Asia to go right to the heart of the industry. At ITB, we build unforgettable emotions that link our industry with its people. Attendees can walk away with new inspiration, cultivating relationships and tangible takeaways.”
Marina Bay Sands will see a renewal of its partnership with Messe Berlin (Singapore) as the show’s official partner hotel while the extension of the relationship with STB will see Singapore as the host country for ITB Asia for the next three years of the show.
Mr Keith Tan, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “Since its inaugural show in 2008, ITB Asia has strengthened the travel industry in Asia. It has introduced new ideas, challenged prevailing mindsets, and provoked countless important connections and discussions. The travel industry in Singapore and throughout Asia has benefited immeasurably from ITB Asia. With the extension of our partnership with Messe Berlin (Singapore), STB looks forward to growing ITB Asia even further and making it even more relevant to Asia’s travel trade.”
Mr George Tanasijevich, President and Chief Executive Officer, Marina Bay Sands, said: “Building communities is core to what we do at Marina Bay Sands. We are privileged to have contributed to the success of ITB Asia, which has been staged at Marina Bay Sands since 2014. We look forward to another three years of partnership with Messe Berlin, offering creative solutions and flexible venue spaces to elevate the show experience and to enable deeper engagements for all delegates.”
The next three editions of ITB Asia will take place from 21 to 23 October 2020, 27 to 29 October 2021 and 19 to 21 October 2022.
Great interest is already being expressed for ITB Asia’s 2020 edition with more than 3,500 square metres of exhibition space being booked for next year’s show. Among others, these will include Korea Tourism Organization, Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, Singapore Tourism Board, Spain Tourism Board and Visit Finland. In addition, ITB Asia 2020 will be introducing Travel Tech Asia as a new show under ITB Asia’s umbrella of events. Travel Tech Asia will provide the travel-tech community with a platform to connect, create and enhance the way people travel, meet and do business, with technology.
