The organisers of International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Asia have revealed that this year’s show hosted more than 19,000 business appointments between exhibitors and buyers.

Now in its fifth year and acclaimed as the region’s most successful event of its kind, ILTM offered a platform for businesses to showcase their most sought after destinations, ultra-luxurious accommodation, elite transportation and unique travel experiences to the Asia Pacific region’s luxury travel buyers.

ILTM Asia is dedicated to delivering a business environment that provides a one-to-one ratio of VIP Hosted Buyers for every exhibitor – this year more than 370 of each attended the show an increase of 12% and 10% respectively on last year’s event.

Exhibitors found ILTM Asia a rewarding experience: “We come back every year as with ILTM Cannes. Six Senses is targeting India and China specifically for growth. This year we have seen buyers who are offering customised services and these are the niche operators we want to work with to tailor-make individual programmes,” said Six Senses Director Strategic Sales Karan Kaul.

“We were extremely busy with full appointment diaries. We have had some great leads from China and Hong Kong and have seen a real shift this year in new business post the dip which is very exciting,” added Gillian Greenwood, Director of InterContinental Hotel Group’s International Sales.

A highlight of ILTM Asia 2011 was the Ultratravel Forum with a panel of high-level industry figureheads from both suppliers and buyers of luxury travel in China and the Asia-Pacific region including representatives from Silversea, Virgin Atlantic and American Express taking part. Networking events took place all over Shanghai during the event.

The focus now shifts to ILTM Cannes, which will take place from 5-8 December 2011. For more information on both events go to www.iltm.net.