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Tourism is a global business, and it is worth watching how travel exhibitions are developing to appreciate the importance of emerging markets.
MITT 2004 – the Moscow International Travel and Tourism Exhibition, from March 24-27 – is a prime example. Last year it attracted 2,500 companies from 106 countries, with 125,000 visitors.
The Russian outbound market has bounced back strongly from the economic problems of five years ago, with a 13 per cent increase to over 20 million holiday or business travellers in 2002. The first Moscow Incentive and Business Travel Forum takes place during MITT on March 26, as confidence returns to this sector.
The message Moscow sends out to the rest of the world is that everyone involved in inbound tourism must get ready to welcome the Russians. According to theWorld Tourism Organisation (WTO), Russia is already the 10th biggest spender on international tourism, with $12 billion paid out in 2002.
MITT is organised by ITE Travel Exhibitions whose director, Stanislava Blagoeva-Duschell, is also president of ETTFA. UITT 2004 (the Ukraine International Travel and Tourism Exhibition, in Kiev from March 31-April 3) is another ITE show.
“MITT is the largest tourism exhibition in Central and Eastern Europe, and the market is really growing again after the set-backs of 1998,” she says.
“I have recently visited China, where the outbound travel market is the fastest growing in the world. Any country with ‘Approved Destination Status’ from the Chinese government can see the benefits, including the whole of the EU.”
The WTO predicts that China will be the sixth largest outbound market with 100 million by 2020, and it will be the top inbound market worldwide with 130 million arrivals compared to only 37 million in 2002.
ETTFA may one day expand to become a global organisation to include exhibitions in countries such as China, but in the meantime shows in emerging markets in Europe are benefiting from being members.
The International Fair of Tourism and Sailing (IFT) in Belgrade is well established, and is now growing again following the end of political upheavals in the region. It is being staged for the 26th time from April 16-18, and exhibition space has doubled over last year.
Over 4,000 trade visitors and 50,000 consumers are expected, focusing on Serbia and Montenegro as destinations, and the outbound market. River tourism is a strong feature this year, with a focus on the Danube as international tourist artery.
IFT spokesman Ivana Stankovic says Greece and Turkey are the top outbound destinations, with Bulgaria being new and growing fast. Between 650,000 and 800,000 travel abroad each year, with Spain and Italy being in demand but held back by visa problems.
IFT confirmed its status by joining ETTFA this year, while Slovakiatour in Bratislava is also a member and celebrates its 10th anniversary on January 15-18. It attracted 350 exhibitors from 20 countries last year, with 33,250 visitors.
More than 26 million foreign visitors came to Slovakia in 2002, a figure set to grow in 2004 with open-air access and through joining the EU.
“IFT’s membership of ETTFA is a sign that Serbia is back in the international community,” says Stanislava Blagoeva-Duschell. “ETTFA gives its members a lot of knowledge and information, because exhibitors are the same clients around the world.
“You don’t see the same co-operation among exhibitors in other industries.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
