Buyer registration opens for ITB Asia 2012

Messe Berlin (Singapore), organiser of ITB Asia, has opened registration for this year’s buyer programme. This year’s programme will see a change in the application process with the addition of the ‘Group’ and ‘Individual’ category. As part of the development, exhibitors are encouraged to nominate buyers they would like to meet at the show. Once approved, the exhibitors will be given a code to invite recommended buyers to register under the ‘Group’ category. New buyers who are interested in joining this year’s programme can register for partial hosting status under the ‘Individual’ category, and enjoy 50% early bird savings from now till 1 June 2012. Fully hosted buyer applications under the ‘Individual’ category will start from 2 July 2012. All potential buyers will undergo a stringent assessment process and will be evaluated based on their calibre and experience to ensure that only the best buyers will enter the pre-scheduled appointment system. “Being the fastest growing and most international travel trade show in Asia, it is important for us to constantly look at ways to adapt and improve the show each year to better serve our business partners. As such, we have taken into account the feedback provided by our exhibitors and buyers, and have put together an even more comprehensive buyers programme this year. The aim is for exhibitors to become partners in increasing the show’s quality,” said Nino Gruettke, Executive Director of ITB Asia. “Knowing that time is of the essence for buyers at the show, we introduced the partial hosted buyer category last year to give buyers with tight travelling schedules more flexibility to participate in the show and manage their appointment schedules. On the whole, partial hosted buyers at ITB Asia 2011 expressed appreciation for the added flexibility and were impressed by the level of exposure to the travel industry they have achieved at the show.” In an independent post-ITB Asia 2011 survey, over 97% of hosted buyers said they would recommend the programme to business partners, while over 95% showed intent to participate again this year. Partial hosted buyers enjoy more flexibility and can choose to attend ITB Asia 2012 on any two days of the three day show. They are required to attend a total of 15 appointments and will enjoy similar benefits to fully hosted buyers, excluding air passage. Fully hosted buyers are required to attend 30 appointments. ITB Asia 2012 is in its fifth year and will be held from 17 to 19 October 2012 at The Sands Expo and Convention Center, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Last year, the show attracted 7,511 attendees, an increase of around 14% from 2010, representing 91 countries, 50% more compared to 2010. ITB Asia is also a partner event of TravelRave, a mega travel and tourism festival week organised by the Singapore Tourism Board, and Pan Pacific Singapore is the Official Partner Hotel for this year’s show.