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    ITB Asia 2024 kicks off in Singapore

    October 23, 2024
    Travel Conference /Marts / MICE News
    ITB Asia 2024 kicks off in Singapore

    Travel Biz News —

    ITB Asia, Asia’s leading travel trade show ,kicked off today at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

    ITB Asia and MICE Show Asia will showcase a diverse range of exhibitors from destinations, attractions, airlines, hotels, cruises, and the MICE industry during next three business days.

    Meanwhile, Travel Tech Asia will host the latest travel technology suppliers and startups in an additional hall dedicated to Travel Technology companies, displaying their most innovative tech solutions.

    With over 85 tourism organisations and convention bureaus, the event will offer attendees unmatched opportunities to explore new markets, build partnerships, and gather key takeaways for business growth, according to a release issued by Messe-Berlin and ITB -Asia secretariat.

    The official opening was graced by Alvin Tan, Singapore’s Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ms Melissa Ow, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board, Dr Mario Tobias, CEO, Messe Berlin and David Ruetz, Senior Vice President, Messe Berlin, who led the symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony amidst the vibrant beats of a traditional lion dance.

    This year’s exhibition is expected to be the largest and most diverse yet, with participation from key tourism authorities such as the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman, Visit Norway, Tourism Armenia, Visit Jordan, Ministry of Tourism Government of India, and many others.

    Asia and Oceania will account for 56% of exhibitors, while Europe, the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East will contribute the remaining 44%. Exhibitors span the entire tourism supply chain, including Tourism Promotion Boards (28%), Tour Operators & Attractions (34%), Accommodation (27%), and Transportation & Travel Tech (11%).

    Participating Tourism Organisation and Convention Bureaus, representing the full spectrum of the global travel industry, include Bangladesh Tourism Board, Business Events Perth, Czech Tourism, Guam Visitors Bureau, Ho Chi Minh Tourism Promotion Centre, Hokkaido Tourism Organisation, Johor Tourism Board, Malta Tourism Authority, Marianas Visitors Authority, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of Sultanate of Oman, Ministry of Tourism Government of India, Penang Tourism Board, Philippines Tourism Board, Sabah Tourism Board, Sapporo Convention Bureau, Sarawak Tourism Board, Seoul Tourism Organisation, Singapore Tourism Board, Taiwan Tourism Administration, Tourism Authority of Thailand, Tourism Armenia, Visit Almaty, Visit Anchorage, VisitBerlin, Visit Finland, Visit Iceland, Visit Jordan, Visit Rovaniemi, Visit Sarajevo, Zagreb Tourist Board.

    ITB Asia 2024 sees strong support and participation from several new and established industry partners, including the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), the China Business Event Industry Committee (CBEIC), the Global Destination Sustainability Movement, the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), the Global MICE Collaborative, the Singapore Tourism Board, Tourism Economics, and the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF).

    This year, attendees will gain insights from 160 expert speakers and 100 sessions across three conference tracks, all centered on the theme “Innovating for Tomorrow: Strengthening Future Resilience in Travel and Tourism.”

    Similarly ,  ITB Berlin, the world’s leading B2B trade show for the travel industry, will take place in Berlin from March 4 to 6, 2025. ITB China, the premier marketplace for China’s travel industry, is scheduled for 27 to 29 May 2025, in Shanghai. ITB India will be held in Mumbai from September 2 to 4, 2025.

    23 October 2024

    Photo : ITB Asia 2024 Opening Ceremony (right) and VIP Tour – Tourism Authority of Thailand ( Messe Berlin)

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      Bangkok named Asia’s best

      holiday destination for 2025

      Bangkok has been ranked as the best city to visit in Asia for 2025 by Smart Travel Asia, a leading digital travel magazine, based on the opinions of hundreds of thousands of travellers and readers worldwide.

      The city received the highest votes in the “Best Holiday Destination in Asia” category, retaining its top position for the second consecutive year.

      Smart Travel Asia highlighted Bangkok’s strengths as its 24-hour vibrancy and diverse experiences, including food, culture, shopping, and the friendliness of its people, describing it as a “city full of energy and colour, day and night.”

      The city’s dominance stems from several compelling factors. Bangkok has emerged as a paradise for food enthusiasts, offering everything from legendary street food stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants and panoramic 360-degree rooftop bars. Its cultural and heritage sites, including the iconic Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho temples, remain major attractions to international tourists.

      Additionally, from luxury malls in the city centre to the Chatuchak weekend market, Bangkok caters to every type of shopper. Affordability and friendliness also play a key role, as Bangkok remains an accessible living cost destination where welcoming smiles continue to charm travellers.

      In the Smart Travel Asia 2025 rankings, Bali (Indonesia) and Tokyo (Japan) shared second place behind Bangkok, while Seoul (the Republic of Korea) and Luang Prabang (Laos) tied for fourth. Thailand further strengthened its tourism appeal with Chiang Mai placing third and Phuket sharing fifth place with Hong Kong (China).

      Having the three cities, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, in the top 10 highlights the diversity and appeal of Thailand’s tourism offerings for travellers worldwide. — VNA/VNS ( Oct.12, 2025)

      India resumes tourist visa for

      Chinese citizens after 5 years

      India announced  that it will open tourist visa applications to Chinese citizens from July 24, 2025. It was the first time in five years since the South Asian country suspended Chinese citizens’ tourist visa applications in February 2020.

      The Embassy of India in China announced via its Sina Weibo account  that, starting from July 24, 2025, Chinese citizens can apply for a tourist visa to visit India after completing an online application, scheduling an appointment, and personally submitting their passport and other required documents to three Indian visa application centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou in South China’s Guangdong Province.

      Responding to the related inquiry, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said  that “we take note of this positive move. Easing cross-border travel is widely beneficial. China will maintain communication and consultation with India to further facilitate travel between the two countries.”

      Chinese experts said the latest move taken by the India marks a phased milestone in the easing of relations between the two countries, and creates favorable conditions for further strengthening bilateral people-to-people exchanges.

      On February 2, 2020, India temporarily suspended its e-visa facility for Chinese travelers and foreigners residing in China amid coronavirus outbreak. – Global Times

      Gulf Cooperation Council Tourism 

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      Messe Berlin India launched 

      to drive growth of ITB India 

      Messe Berlin announces the official launch of Messe Berlin India, a newly incorporated subsidiary that underscores the company’s long-term commitment to one of Asia’s fastest-growing markets. Headquartered in Delhi , the new entity will serve as a strategic base for expanding ITB India and launching future projects tailored to the Indian market. With this establishment, Messe Berlin is reinforcing its vision of India as a regional hub for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable business growth within the exhibition and events industry.

      “Messe Berlin’s presence in India reflects our strategic intent to strengthen our international reach by being where the growth is. India is a key market for us — vibrant, diverse, and full of opportunities. With Messe Berlin India, we are laying down long-term foundations to build strong partnerships, support local industries, and elevate our global platforms,” said Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO, Messe Berlin.

      ITB India, inaugurated in 2023, continues as the flagship event under the new subsidiary. Held annually, ITB India is a three-day B2B travel trade show and convention that connects the global travel and tourism industry with the Indian market. Alongside MICE Show India, Travel Tech India, and the ITB India Conference, ITB India serves as a unique platform to forge new partnerships, strengthen existing ties, and capitalize on the fast-growing potential of the Indian and South Asian travel economies. The show hosts key players from the MICE, Leisure, Corporate Travel, and Travel Technology sectors. The upcoming edition, ITB India 2025, will take place from 2 – 4 September 2025  in Mumbai.

      FACTS —

      Tourism helps in:

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      👉Reducing Inequalities

      👉Promoting gender equality

      👉Fostering decent work and economic growth

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      In 2019, Travel & Tourism’s direct, indirect and induced impact accounted for:
      -US$8.9 trillion contribution to the world’s GDP
      -10.3% of global GDP
      -330 million jobs, 1 in 10 jobs around the world
      -US$1.7 trillion visitor exports (6.8% of total exports,
      28.3% of global services exports)
      -US$948 billion capital investment (4.3% of total
      investment)

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