ITB ASIA 2025 opened this week with a record 1,500 buyers, the show’s largest Africa presence and a new attractions zone dominated by Resorts World Sentosa – Singapore’s island getaway right next to the city.
Organisers Messe Berlin (Asia Pacific) used five halls of the Sands Expo and Convention Centre with ITB Asia’s co-located events: MICE Show Asia and Travel Tech Asia. The three-day event also saw an expanded Singapore section.
Among the new destinations were City of Monreale (Sicily, Italy), Lithuania Travel, Visit Hungary, the Government of Tamil Nadu, Da Nang Tourism Promotion Center, Kaohsiung City Government, and Visit Alatau,
As ITB Asia’s official integrated resort sponsor, Resorts World Sentosa was joined by AMA Waterways, Cruise Wonders, Disney Cruise Line, HX Expeditions, Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Merlin Entertainments Group, and Universal Destinations & Experiences in a new zone for themed attractions and immersive experiences.
Towards the end of the opening day (October 15), two MOUs were signed. Messe Berlin was told by Singapore Tourism Board that ITB Asia can be anchored in the city for at least two more years, while online travel platform Trip Advisor plans to create a unique experiential zone for the 2026 event.
Singapore’s minister of state for trade, industry and national development, Alvin Tan, officiated at the opening with a keynote speech promising more MICE and sporting events that would continue to strengthen the city state’s appeal to international event organisers.
The show’s opening heard from analyst Michael Shoory, of Tourism Economics, how inbound and domestic travel was seeing a continued rebound from the pandemic with China and India leading the charge.
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According to Messe Berlin, more than 96 tourism organisations and convention bureaus signed up for the 2025 show with the largest increase coming from the European region – up 67 per cent compared to last year. Central Asia showed the second biggest growth, followed by Africa at over 50 per cent growth, and 38 per cent from South Asia.
David Ruetz, senior vice president, Messe Berlin, said: “ITB Asia continues to grow from strength to strength, reflecting both the dynamism of the global travel industry and the increasing importance of the Asia-Pacific region.
“With record participation, expanded exhibition space, and an ever more diverse representation of destinations and buyers, we are proud to provide a platform where industry leaders can connect, share insights, and drive the future of travel forward,” Ruetz said.
Main picture: Alvin Tan, Singapore’s minister of state for trade, industry and national development stops off at the Resorts World Sentosa two-storey pavilion during an opening tour of ITB Asia 2025
