ORGANISERS of ITB Asia 2023 are reporting a record-breaking 35 per cent increase in new exhibitors as the travel and business events show got underway in Singapore this week.
Some 1,838 international exhibitors were present with Messe Berlin figures showing a 38 per cent increase in MICE suppliers and a 200-plus per cent growth in travel technology firms.
“Over 1,300 global top-tier buyers, and over a hundred conference speakers participating, ITB Asia 2023 is off to a strong start,” said a Messe Berlin spokesperson.
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Alvin Tan, Singapore’s Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore, opened the show together with Melissa Ow, chief executive, Singapore Tourism Board and David Ruetz, senior vice president, Messe Berlin.
This year’s ITB Asia exhibition boasts an impressive selection of over 80 national and regional tourism organisations. Headlining sponsors include Busan Tourism Organisation, Japan National Tourism Organisation, Korea Tourism Startup Centre, Penang Global Tourism, Sentosa Development Corporation, Tourism Promotions Board Philippines and Visit Finland.
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“I am delighted about the noticeable rise in the number of international exhibitors,” Ruetz said. “The ITB global brand family is making a strong case in 2023 as the travel industry resurges. Coming back to the live format in 2022, ITB Asia has established itself as a trendsetter for the entire branch. As the world keeps changing at an unprecedented pace, we expect it to become the cradle for the industry’s cutting-edge trends, the cultivating space of free idea exchange and sustainable cooperation.”
Main picture, from left: Singapore Tourism CEO Mellissa Ow, trade ann industry minister Alvin Tan and David Ruetz of Messe Berlin open ITB Asia 2023
