ITB Asia Returns with Its Highest Ever Number of Participating National Tourism Organisations
Press Room > 2019
The Messe Berlin’s travel trade show has seen a 24.4 percent increase in exhibition demand from National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) and Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) compared to 2018.
Four months to go before ITB Asia opens its doors on October 16 and it has already, attracted a total of 58 NTOs and RTOs – representing a year-on-year growth of 23.8 percent (NTOs) and 25 percent (RTOs) in the securing of exhibition space compared to 2018 – surpassing previous levels set for ITB Asia.
This year’s event will see at least 19 new NTOs and RTOs. Thus far, the three contingents with the largest exhibition spaces registered are from Indonesia, Russia and South Korea.
The strongest participation comes from Asia with Southeast Asia well represented, and newcomers Myanmar and Jakarta taking part. North Asia will see an expanded South Korean contingent with RTOs from Gyeonggi, Jeju and Seoul securing their own booths. South Asia will also see a larger presence as new exhibitors such as Bhutan, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka join India, while Central Asia is represented by Uzbekistan which will be taking part for the first time.
From Europe, the show has seen, a 37.8 percent increase in the number exhibitors buoyed by an increase in interest from Southern and Eastern Europe. The Balkan states of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia will be taking part for the first time along with the Czech Republic and Estonia. Compared to previous years, Hungary and Russia will also bring larger contingents. New RTOs from East Bavaria, Franconia, Frankfurt and Magdeburg will also be part of a larger German contingent with existing destinations like Berlin and Saxony.
“We had a remarkable turnout in 2018 and all the signs point to ITB Asia 2019 being even more successful. NTOs and RTOs are the backbone for creating established inbound and outbound travel. The increased interest and high confirmed demand for exhibition space from NTOs and RTOs at ITB Asia 2019 affirms the value associated with ITB Asia as the leading travel trade show for Asia and beyond,” said Katrina Leung, Managing Director, Messe Berlin (Singapore), organiser of ITB Asia.
The stunning growth in exhibitor demand is fuelled by growth in tourism globally. The World Tourism Organization (UNTWO) highlighted that, tourism is one of the most powerful drivers of economic growth and development. The predicted target of 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals by 2020 was reached in 2018. The Asia-Pacific region contributed 343 million international tourist arrivals into the region for 2018, a growth of six percent compared to the previous year.
ITB Asia 2019 will return to its familiar venue of the Sands Expo & Convention Centre as part of its partnership with Marina Bay Sands as the official partner hotel. This year will see oneworld taking part as the official airline alliance for the first time.