ILTM Asia, the International Luxury Travel Market’s core regional event, is expanding to become ILTM Asia Pacific and relocating to Singapore for the 2018 event.
Replacing the former in Shanghai will be ILTM China, focusing on outbound luxury travel from China.
Announcing the change at ILTM Asia 2017, ILTM portfolio director Alison Gilmore (right) said: “Research amongst our clients shows that the luxury outbound market is growing so fast that many companies are now separating their current and future business plans and marketing strategies to focus on China and Asia as two independent opportunities. ILTM has listened and is responding with two dynamic events dedicated to their own audiences.”
Asia Pacific
Modelled on the network’s flagship show, ILTM Cannes, the enhanced Asia Pacific event will represent the whole of Asia.
“We will create the show to be as international as Cannes, with the same ambiance, story and stature but set in the dynamic heart of Asia – Singapore – considered to be both the region’s gateway and its hub,” Gilmore said.
ILTM Asia Pacific will take place at Marina Bay Sands Hotel (main picture), May 21-24, 2018.
Carol Chen, director of Diadema Group-China said: “This is very exciting news for Diadema Group. We have attended ILTM Asia in Shanghai for the last 10 years and it has been incredibly successful for us. Moving the show to Singapore is an excellent chance for Asian buyers outside of China to source new luxury product from around the world. I know that this will be another successful event organised by ILTM who have continuously supported the global luxury travel industry.”
Felipe Soubhia, owner of PHD Travel in Brazil said: “As owners of a luxury travel agency in Brazil, we feel the constant increase of Leisure VIP travellers going to Asia. PHD Travel is always looking for new products, new partnerships and suppliers. Hence, for ILTM to open up Asia for us, that would be incredibly effective and would make a lot of sense to me.”
China
“ILTM China will remain in Shanghai and be repositioned specifically to bring Chinese luxury travel planners and buyers to meet with international exhibitors of luxury products and services,” said Gilmore.
“Every year we see a big increase in the number of Chinese luxury travel planners wanting to attend ILTM and with this new style of event we can focus on this market solely.”
Steve Odell, senior vice president and managing director for Asia Pacific, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said: “Like many other corporations in Asia, we already have separate businesses for our mainland China business, headquartered in Shanghai and the rest of Asia based in Hong Kong. The business model, demographics and consumer profiles are quite different, so we can better serve each by focusing in a dedicated way. We really welcome ILTM mirroring our own strategy by creating dedicated shows for the very different markets in the Asia region.
