The countdown for the new market place for the global travel industry has now begun. October 2008 will mark the debut of ITB Asia, aimed primarily at buyers from the Asian-Pacific region and taking place annually in Singapore as the Asian meeting platform for the travel industry. It will be held at the Suntec Exhibition and Convention Centre. The three-day B2B trade show will be accompanied by a convention and take place from 22 to 24 October 2008.

ITB Asia offers a highly attractive product for small and medium-sized companies of the Asian travel industry. Provided they are not state-owned or part of a franchise, companies with up to 50 employees can present their innovative products and services at special rates.

In addition to traditional travel products, ITB Asia will also focus on the rapidly expanding areas of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Events) as well as business travel. International exhibitors from all parts of the value-added chain will be represented at ITB Asia, including the main destinations of all continents, international tour operators, airlines and hotels, as well as online and other reservation systems. This presentation of the entire spectrum of the global travel industry at ITB Asia will enable buyers from Asia to search for new products in order to market them throughout Asia and the world, as well as assisting international sellers to expand into new markets.

One of the main features of ITB Asia will be the conference taking place at the same time. Based on the successful ITB Berlin Convention “Market, Trends & Innovations”, which has now evolved into the largest event of its kind in Europe, the ITB Asia Convention is also tailored to meet the needs of the new generation of Asian travel entrepreneurs.

Dr. Martin Buck, Vice President CompetenceCenter Travel & Logistics of Messe Berlin: “Asia is already the continent that is driving the global economy. For many Asian countries, tourism is not only an important industry but, as a result of the growing economies of these regions, it is enabling growing numbers of people from Asia to travel, not only within Asia, but also to other parts of the world. With our expertise of over forty years of ITB Berlin, and together with Singapore as the ideal venue for buyers from all over Asia, we believe that ITB Asia will provide a market place for the travel industry of the future, which accurately reflects the importance of this continent both as a destination and as a source of tourists.”