The first edition of ITB China kicked off today in Shanghai with a strong turnout of around 600 companies, destinations, organisations and travel service providers, representing nearly 70 countries.
The three-day show, organised by Messe Berlin, will take place annually at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Conference Centre.
Exhibitor profiles
Of the 600 exhibitors:
- 28 per cent are offering MICE products
- 34 per cent leisure
- 31 per cent corporate
- 7 per cent travel technology solutions
More than one third of the exhibitors have come from Asia; around 40 per cent from Europe, 10 per cent from the Middle East and some 10 per cent from the Americas.
Christian Göke, CEO of Messe Berlin, said: “This is an opportune timing for the tourism industry to seize the prospects offered by China’s vibrant economic growth. ITB China has come at the right time.
Our new marketplace for China’s travel industry creates an international platform with a strong focus on Chinese buyers and sellers and covers everything the industry has to offer – MICE, NTOs, business travel, tour operators, OTA’s and travel tech companies.”
Buyers
The 600 Chinese buyers in attendance represent more than 180 companies, and include industry giants Ctrip, Caissa, Utour, and Alitrip.
More than 10,000 buyer-seller appointments were pre-scheduled before the event.
Conference programme
Programme highlights include a speech by Rungang Zhang, vice-chairman and secretary general of CTA- China Tourism Association, China’s biggest travel industry association.
Philip Wolf, founder of travel market research company Phocuswright will interview Jane Sun, CEO of Ctrip, providing in-depth insights on China’s biggest online travel agency.
The second day of the show (May 11) takes the form of an Online Travel and Travel Technology Day.
Main picture: Opening ceremony, May 10
