SINGAPORE The heavy calendar of travel trade shows across Asia looks set to continue after the successful debut of ITB Asia in Singapore.

ITB Asia was held at Suntec Singapore from October 22 to 24, 2008 and was organised by Messe Berlin (Singapore) in conjunction with the Singapore Tourism Board.

The show was focused on leisure and MICE buyers, attracting 6,208 delegates to the three-day event and buyers and trade visitors from 90 countries.

Kenneth Phua, regional director, Asia Pacific, for the Association of Corporate Travel Executives, said: “ITB Asia was a positive experience for ACTE. The show has potential, but it also needs to offer a wider variety of specialised MICE products and services.”

Phua said ITB Asia could become a regional leader within two years if the pace of MICE travel continues to grow. “The region needs a strong MICE trade show and exhibition event,” he said.

According to the organisers, initial survey results from delegates showed an 86% approval rating for ITB Asia. Martin Buck, director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), said: “We are impressed by the positive response from the travel industry.

“This is proof we have met customer expectations by focusing exclusively on Asian source markets, following a B2B format, running a high-quality hosted buyer programme and putting our trust in the convenience and professionalism of Singapore as the host venue.”

The event featured more than 650 exhibitors from Asia, Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East. The next ITB Asia takes place October 21-23, 2009.