SINGAPORE Visitor numbers at ITB Asia 2009 were only slightly down on last year and feedback from buyers and sellers has been positive.
Messe Berlin (Singapore) director, Dr Martin Buck, said: “The result is solid considering the nature of 2009. It was a strong performance that promises real growth in 2010.”
While there was a slight increase in the number of exhibiting organisations, invited buyers fell from 812 to 553 this year, mainly due to tighter selection criteria. Total attendees numbered 6,149, down from 6,208 last year.
ITB Asia 2009 featured leisure, MICE and corporate travel exhibitors. Organisers Messe Berlin attracted a high percentage of Asian buyers, but European attendees were also impressed.
Stefan Luzar, CEO of Triple MPR Group, Germany, said: “ITB Asia was very helpful to us, offering a good combination of information on leisure travel and MICE.”