The third ITB China three-day tradefair attracted 17,000 attendees in Shanghai recently, up 2,000 compared to last year.
Buyers, trade visitors and exhibitors reported positive business results and the associated ITB China Conference, co-organised by TravelDaily China, drew 4,000 delegates.
Organisers report about 850 Chinese top buyers attended the event. This year a broad range of 800 companies and organisations from 84 countries presented their products to the Chinese travel industry, reflecting a much more international look to the tradefair.
“Overall, this year’s premieres, such as the customised travel area, new conference topics or the ITB China Travel Trends Report showed that ITB China has created unstoppable momentum and as such, is clearly bringing back optimism to the industry,” said Dr Martin Buck, Senior Vice-President, Travel & Logistics, Messe Berlin.
Ms Maria Elena Rossi, Marketing and Promotion Director, Italian National Tourism Board, said: “We are investing in the Chinese market which is becoming very interesting for us as it has been constantly growing by 10% each year. Attending ITB China gives us the opportunity to be directly in touch with the main players of the Chinese market as they are all present here and we can meet them directly.”
With the launch of the ITB China Buyers Circle – a nationwide buyers’ community for all professional Chinese travel buyers – the organisers expanded the presence and activities of the show far beyond the fair itself. More than 30 of China’s leading travel agencies and travel agents from more than 400 different agencies have joined the circle by becoming Founding and Segment Partners. Throughout the year the circle will also be identifying the trends and developments of the Chinese source-market in the form of the yearly ITB China Travel Trends Report.
