ORGANISERS of the IBTM World are hailing a “solid return to global business for the industry” with figures for the event showing a return to pre-pandemic levels with 10,000-plus attendees expected.
Visitor registration and pre-scheduled appointment numbers for the event in Barcelona, which comes to a close today, were already ahead of 2019 figures representing the highest number of appointments per attendee in the history of the incentive, business travel and meetings show.
A total of 60,000 pre-scheduled meetings were confirmed to take place over the three-day event – with the number set to increase once exhibitors had been permitted to send invites to buyers once the show’s meeting diaries opened.
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A total of 2,200 exhibitors from more than 100 countries and regions signed up with 91 per cent of the number of destinations that attended in 2019 returning.
More hotels were represented than in 2019, including Accor which returned after a long absence. IBTM World also welcomed back Brazil, alongside its 20 stand partners, and Malaysia is returning after attending in 2021.
Tokyo Convention and Visitor Bureau attended with ten partners, including the Japan National Tourism Office and Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau. New Zealand had a significantly greater presence this year, and Bahrain increased its participation to promote the new Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre.
