ITB Asia, ‘Asia’s Leading Travel Trade Show’, has introduced a new Buyers Elite Partner Programme (BEPP). Under the new initiative, with every partner that recommends 15 successful buyers to attend the show, ITB Asia will provide complimentary hosting. This gives partners a platform to develop stronger trade ties with recommended buyers and secure more business opportunities together.
To uphold the quality of buyers at this year’s show, ITB Asia has been working closely with industry partners old and new, from the MICE, Corporate and Leisure segments. Corporate partners this year include the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), new partner Corporate Travel Management (CTM), and the United Networks of International Corporate Event Organisers (UNICEO). ACTE will be returning with its Corporate Travel Day once more this year, while CTM will be hosting a conference for corporate travel, providing curated content for the corporate buying segment to learn and network with industry leaders.
Larry Lo, Chief Executive Officer of CTM Asia, said, “At CTM, we seek to remain at the forefront of travel management services. We are partnering with ITB Asia this year to showcase how our innovative technology helps us to provide personalised services and a positive return on investment for our customers – an advantage that ensures we stay ahead of the changes that are sweeping the travel sector.”
Visit Finland, Korea Tourism Organization, Singapore Tourism Board and new partner, the Universal Federation of Travel Agents Association (UFTAA), have also been listed as BEPP partners for the event under the leisure segment.
In addition to corporate and leisure partners, ITB Asia has experienced a boost in partners from the MICE segment. With the launch of the new MICE Show Asia to take place alongside ITB Asia this year, it has attracted a pool of quality MICE buyers to attend the show. MICE partners under BEPP include the likes of Advantage Meetings and Events, EVINTRA, Helmsbriscoe, who will be bringing the largest contingent of MICE buyers this year, Korea MICE Association (KMA), Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB),Philippines Association of Convention Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (PACEOS), and the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), who is taking part for the first time.
“PCMA is excited to be partnering ITB Asia at their inaugural MICE Show Asia,” says Antonio Codinach, Regional Business Director for PCMA in APAC. “We believe that MICE Show Asia will deliver that platform - to bring the community together to learn and network – and through the education sessions curated by PCMA, we hope to share the knowledge to help spark ideas and discussions within the growing BE sector in Asia.”
Buyers that have registered to attend the show include established MICE planners such as MEP Meeting & Exhibition Planners, Nuskin, Philips, as well as professional associations such as the International Financial Cryptography Association, International Society for Professional Innovation Management and International Society for Fibrinolysis and Proteolysis.
Increased number of buyers from diverse market
Building on the success of 2018’s Buyers Programme, this year’s ITB Asia has already seen about 35% increase in approved buyers. Buyers are coming from across the world but specifically from high-growth markets such as Southeast Asia, China and India.
“As the leading travel trade show, we want to provide a dynamic and diverse platform for our stakeholders to forge strong business relationships. We are pleased to have attracted a greater number of buyers to this year’s show, specifically from markets which have shown to have huge growth potential in travel and tourism. By working closely with our exhibitors and through the new Elite Partner Programme, we hope to spur more business opportunities for both parties,” said Katrina Leung, Managing Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), the organiser of ITB Asia.
