BITTM (the Beijing International Travel and Tourism Market), the only business-to-business event dedicated to outbound travel and tourism in China, has changed to its brand name. The show will be known from October 2006 as the China Outbound Travel & Tourism Market (COTTM). The next COTTM will take place from 14 – 16 May 2007 at the China World Trade Center in Beijing (CWTC).

After extensive consultation with customers, partners and other key industry stakeholders, the organization has rebranded the show’s name in order to more accurately reflect the large scope of the event. COTTM helps travel professionals across the world to identify new business opportunities with the Chinese outbound tourism industry. In addition, the show provides the Chinese travel trade with a platform to set up cross-border business partnerships and exchange creative ideas. The show also provides an educational platform for travel professionals to learn about the latest trends and opportunities in this dynamic global industry. The outbound tourism market in China is experiencing massive year-on-year growth with 100 million departures expected by 2020, according to the World Tourism Organization.

Matt Thompson, COTTM Project Director, commented: “We’re very excited about next year’s event and the rebranding will more clearly reflect the extensive reach of this unique business-to-business outbound travel show. We’ve received an overwhelmingly positive response to the show from existing and new exhibitors, trade media and previous visitors and we look forward to working closely with them over the next year to make the event even bigger and better. We’re on course for selling all exhibitor space.”

The event has partnered with all of the main Chinese trade media for next year’s show, these include: China Tourism News, TTG China, TTN China, Travel Weekly China and Travel Agent Magazine. Established and emerging destinations are already on board as exhibitors, including representation from: France, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Iran, Tanzania, Egypt, Dubai and Malaysia.

COTTM will be exhibiting at this year’s World Travel Market where it will unveil its new branding.