Over 800 buyers registered for ITB Asia

Over 800 travel buyers have been qualified and confirmed as hosted buyers for the inaugural ITB Asia travel show, October 22 to 24 in Singapore.

"The response means that ITB Asia has quickly become the trade show for the Asian travel market," said Messe Berlin (Singapore) general manager Whey Whey Ng. "The proven ITB brand from Europe is now working its magic for exhibitors and buyers in the Asian travel trade."

Buyers at ITB Asia will conduct business with exhibitors from over 50 countries. All 500 units of booth space in Halls 601-603 at Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre have been sold out since July.

Almost 70% of the buyers at ITB Asia come from Asia where populations are increasingly keen to experience travel experiences around the world. Europe, the Middle East and Oceania (including Australia and New Zealand) will each supply about 10% of total buyers.

Buyers and sellers have been requesting appointments for weeks on ITB Asia's virtual marketplace. The confirmation of appointments has been active since 10 September.

Messe Berlin will also start a process of matchmaking between buyers and sellers to fill up all the available appointment slots during the show.

Members of the travel trade who are neither exhibitors nor hosted buyers can still attend ITB Asia.

Trade visitor registration is available online for US$80 for registrations before October 15 and US$120 for registrations onsite.

Trade visitor status gives full access for three days to the ITB Asia trade floor, the ITB Asia Convention and selected social events.

Trade visitors are also eligible for special rates to attend specialist travel events for corporate travel, the meetings industry and web technology in travel, that are taking place in and around ITB Asia at Suntec.