China Outbound Travel & Tourism Market (COTTM), China’s only business to business event dedicated to the China outbound travel and tourism industry, is entering its 5th year in 2009 and is set to be one of the biggest events yet.

COTTM 2009 takes place on 22-24 April in Beijing, at the China World Trade Centre and is gearing up for a highly successful event. COTTM is supported by a wide range of trade associations such as the National Tour Association, the Pacific Asia Travel Association and the European Tour Operators Association, as well as numerous Chinese and international media partners.With a reported 18.6% increase in outbound travel in 2008, the number of Chinese people travelling abroad is growing at an unprecedented rate. Factors for such growth include higher disposable incomes, more relaxed travel regulations and more countries granted the Approved Destination Status, including the USA in 2008.

COTTM provides a focused forum for international tourist boards and travel businesses to contract the upcoming seasons with China’s leading outbound tour operators. Research conducted at COTTM 2008 found that 88% of visitors were final decision makers or major influencers, creating the ideal environment to conduct business talks. Visitor numbers doubled in 2008 with over 3,000 people attending and up to 4,000 are expected to attend this year’s event.

COTTM 2009 is proud to have partnered with some of China’s top outbound operators, such as Beijing Jiedajiaqi International Travel Service, Hua Yuan International Travel, Air China Travel Service, Beijing UTS International Travel Service Co and Shanghai Airlines Tours International. These operators have selected COTTM as the only trade show to source products and services from exhibitors from across the world and allowing them to provide professional and tailor-made travel for the increasing number of Chinese people travelling abroad.

COTTM is also partnered with IFCOT (International Forum on Chinese Outbound Tourism) which takes place on 24th April, and is the industry’s most prestigious educational forum. Through a strategic alliance with COTRI (China Outbound Tourism Research Institute) there will be a Chinese outbound tourism workshop at COTTM. COTRI recognises companies, organisations and destinations that offer quality services and products, through rewarding with a quality label. This distinguishes the best in the market, and COTTM is proud to have been awarded as a silver winner! The Chinese Tourists Welcoming Awards will also take place at COTTM, which celebrates and rewards good practice from international companies working with the China outbound market.

Countries from all over the world will be exhibiting at COTTM with over 200 exhibitors from 50 different countries recognising that COTTM is an excellent way to access the Chinese market through meeting the key decision makers. Countries that will be exhibiting include Argentina, Cambodia, Dubai, Czech Republic, Egypt, Ethiopia, Hungary, India, and Macau to name a few.

COTTM is fast becoming the event of choice for international travel and tourism business to explore the potential in China, it provides a valuable platform to find local agents and establish new business contacts. COTTM is not to be missed!
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