ITB Asia Exceeds Performances of Past Years, Sets Dates for Next Three Editions

ITB Asia, Asia’s Leading Travel Trade Show, came to a close on Friday at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, having attracted a record number of 13,000 attendees from 132 countries and territories.

The 2019 show saw strong participation this year with over 1,300 exhibitors and more than 1,250 buyers. The three-day exhibition also saw more than 27,000 business appointments made, a 7.4 percent year-on-year growth.

In its twelfth year running, this year’s conference programme brought together thought leaders from across the MICE, Leisure, Corporate, and Travel Tech sectors to explore how businesses can turn creative ideas into bold, yet practical, initiatives to keep pace with technological developments in the travel industry.

Across the three days of the conference, attendees were able to hear from more than 270 speakers, including Booking.com, Expedia, IBM, OYO China, TripAdvisor, Tujia and more.

“After 12 years, ITB Asia experienced strong growth again. This new record clearly demonstrates that the show is well accepted by the industry around the world as the must-attend event in Asia,” Dr. Christian Göke, Chief Executive Officer, Messe Berlin said.

MICE Show Asia

For the first time, attendees also got a chance to gain detailed understanding of some of the most important practices and trends that are defining the future of MICE events at ITB Asia’s inaugural MICE Show Asia. With a turnout that exceeded expectations, the successful debut gives grounds for optimism for the future expansion of this dedicated marketplace.

Singapore host country for ITB Asia for next three years

Dr Christian Göke, Chief Executive Officer, Messe Berlin and Keith Tan, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board at the signing of the MOU.

During ITB Asia 2019, Marina Bay Sands saw a renewal of its partnership with Messe Berlin (Singapore) as the show’s official partner hotel while the extension of the relationship with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) will see Singapore as the host country for ITB Asia for the next three years of the show.

“Messe Berlin is delighted to continue the strategic partnership with Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Tourism Board from 2020 to 2022. We very quickly realized that not only could we benefit from the extension, but that the whole of the global travel industry stood to benefit as well,” Dr. Göke said.

Dr Martin Buck, Senior Vice President Travel & Logistics, Messe Berlin GmbH; Katrina Leung, Managing Director, Messe Berlin (Singapore); Dr Christian Göke, Chief Executive Officer, Messe Berlin GmbH; Mike Lee, Vice President, Marina Bay Sands and Ong Wee Min, Vice President of Conventions & Exhibitions, Marina Bay Sands, commemorating the signing of the MOU with MBS.

The next three editions of ITB Asia will take place from 21 to 23 October 2020, 27 to 29 October 2021 and 19 to 21 October 2022.

According to Messe Berlin (Singapore), great interest is already being expressed for ITB Asia’s 2020 edition with more than 3,500 square metres of exhibition space being booked for next year’s show.

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) was a media partner of ITB Asia 2019.