Messe Berlin (Singapore), organiser of ITB Asia, ‘The Trade Show for the Asian Travel Market’, has announced that all available booth space for this year’s show has been completely sold-out four months ahead of the event in October 2011. Many exhibitors have also taken advantage of a new two-year contract scheme to snap up 14% of the prime booth space in 2012.

“Asia Pacific is the fastest growing travel market in the world and with close to 800 exhibiting companies from 60 countries participating, it is clear that ITB Asia is a must-attend event for companies looking to establish a strong presence here. The exceptional sales performance demonstrates the show’s growing importance and is a validation from our peers that ITB Asia is indeed an effective and critical platform for marketing, networking and learning all about the Asian travel market,” said Nino Gruettke, Executive Director of ITB Asia.

Over a third of the exhibitors are first time exhibitors such as Guam Visitors Bureau, Wyndham Hotels and the Majestic Hotel Group. A notable new exhibitor is Hilton Worldwide, the leading global hospitality company with an impressive portfolio of 10 award-winning hotel brands. Hilton Worldwide has not only taken up a prime exhibition spot, but is also ITB Asia’s first ever ‘Official Partner Hotel 2011’, hosting buyers and organising exclusive events to showcase its distinctive brand of quality hospitality during the show.

20% of returning exhibitors have also bolstered their presence at the show by increasing booth space, particularly those from National Tourism Organisations. Returning exhibitor Korea National Tourism Organisation has expanded its floor space by nine-folds this year, and the booth sizes of the tourism ministries from Indonesia and Israel have also increased 40% and 60% respectively.

Around 10% of exhibitors who used to co-share a booth in the past have converted to taking independent stands. This demonstrates that participation in ITB Asia in past years has clearly reaped good return on investment.

Held at Suntec Singapore from 19 to 21 October 2011, ITB Asia, in its fourth year is a unique international platform that brings together the travel and tourism industry to exchange insights and business leads in one event-filled travel-focused show. ITB Asia is also a partner event of TravelRave, a mega travel and tourism festival week organised by the Singapore Tourism Board to be held in Singapore in October 2011.

The show is expected to attract more than 6,600 visitors and close to 800 exhibiting companies from 60 countries this year.