ASIA - The seventh edition of Reed Travel Exhibitions' (RTE) CIBTM meetings industry trade show opened in Beijing, 12 September, as the UN World Tourism Organisation predicts China will be the world’s largest country for inbound tourism by 2020. New global research by HSBC Bank also shows that six of China’s provinces will have an annual GDP of more than US$1tn.
Data from the London Media Center of the London 2012 Olympic Games recently claimed Chinese visitors spent more on average than other nationalities during the London Games.
Many meetings industry suppliers are, thus, testing the Chinese waters for the first time at the seventh and largest CIBTM since the inaugural edition in 2005. Over 400 global industry suppliers are exhibiting at the China National Convention Center (CNCC).
Organiser RTE is predicting 4,000 visitors to the show and the Visit England stand was one of many practically overrun on the first morning of business.
Hosted buyer numbers are up a third on 2011, according to RTE.
“The 2012 edition of Reed Travel Exhibitions show’s growth parallels the rapid developments of China and Asia’s MICE and business travel industry, which is now worth an estimated US$150bn in 2011 and growing annually by 20 per cent,” said CIBTM project manager, Jeffry Xu, in his welcome to visitors.
The show, supported by the Beijing Municipal Commssion of Tourism Development, has Chinese cities Chengdu, Zhangjakou and Wizhen all showcasing latest developments and future plans alongside new international destinations including Madrid, Switzerland, Chicago, Orlando, Okinawa and the Netherlands.
Leading industry associations ICCA, SITE, MPI, ACTE and PCMA are all delivering education sessions at the show. There are 19 Chinese and English seminars in total during the three-day event.
ICCA CEO Martin Sirk told EW stablemate CMW the level of questions at the ICCA press conference from local media had indicated “a high level of industry knowledge”.
CNCC staff entertained the audience with singing and dancing in the ballroom for the first evening’s welcome reception.
This year’s show also has stepped up security against a backdrop of anxieties of a demonstration at the Japanese stand at CIBTM against a backdrop of heightened tension over the escalating dispute over the Diaoyu/Senkaku islands.
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