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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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      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.

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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:

      👉Reducing poverty

      👉Reducing Inequalities

      👉Promoting gender equality

      👉Fostering decent work and economic growth

      World Tourism Day 2021: ‘Tourism for Inclusive Growth’

      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)