Major buyers and suppliers to gather at GBTA China

SHANGHAI – Global corporations have been spending more and more on corporate travel in China over the last decade. Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world’s premier business travel and corporate meetings organization, predicts that $245 billion will be spent on corporate travel in China in 2013 and that the country’s corporate travel spending may surpass that of the US by 2014. With such high stakes in mind, some of the world’s biggest spenders on business travel and corporate meetings will gather with leading travel and meetings industry suppliers next April 15-17 for the GBTA China Conference 2013 in Shanghai, China.

Combining a program of presentations and seminars with business networking activities and an exhibition, GBTA China Conference 2013 is an essential event for anyone managing a large-scale corporate travel or meetings operation in China. Attendees will learn the latest news and views from some of the most widely respected experts in Asia’s corporate travel and MICE industries, and also enjoy opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing with peers.

China’s rapid economic development has left many corporate travel managers with relatively weak understanding of how to best operate in the country. Many second- and third-tier cities that formerly had no place on the itineraries of corporate travelers are now becoming hotbeds of economic growth, and issues such as accommodation options and travel safety in these places are still not widely understood.

Meanwhile, China’s outbound international travel is forecast to grow 17.5% this year, presenting challenges to airlines, hotels and other companies hoping to profit from the trend. 

GBTA has also integrated its GBTA Academy – Fundamentals of Business Travel Management course into GBTA China Conference 2013. Taking place on the last day of the conference, the course teaches the basic elements of travel management and has been specially tailored for the Asia-Pacific region. Those who complete the course will receive an internationally-recognized associate level certificate.

GBTA China Conference 2013 is timed to tie in with TTG’s IT&CM China conference which will be held from April 17 – 19 in Shanghai. This long standing successful conference aimed at meeting planners also attracts local and international travel managers.

GBTA China Conference 2013 is sponsored by Jin Jiang International Hotels, China’s leading hotel brand, which is providing the venue for the event. GHC Asia is the event’s official public relations sponsor.- GBTA