International Tourism Exchange in Asia

Asia is developing into a driving force in global tourism: according to the ITB World Travel Trend Report, the number of overseas journeys from Asia rose by seven per cent in 2012 alone. The travel sector is optimistic about the outlook for 2012, thanks to the good economic prospects for most markets in Asia.

The Messe Berlin, which organizes the International Tourism Exchange (ITB) in Berlin, has been staging the ITB Asia since 2008 in Singapore for the Asian travel market. The three-day trade fair and convention will be taking place from October 23 to 25, 2013. The main themes at the trade fair are Corporate Travel, Business Travel and Leisure Travel. In 2012 the ITB Asia recorded some 8,500 visitors, which marked a twelve per cent increase against the previous year. This made the fifth edition of the travel fair the most successful so far, say the organizers who are increasing the presentation area in 2013.

Germany is also recording growing numbers of tourists from Asia. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the numbers of overnight stays with Asian guests increased in 2011 by 12 per cent to almost 6.2 million. Of these, Chinese guests accounted for 1.3 million overnight stays, Japanese guests notched up almost 1.2 million overnight stays and a million were accounted for by guests from the Arab States of the Gulf.

There are also companies which are now catering for the specific interests of the increasing numbers of guests from the region. For instance, Frankfurt Airport offers a Chinese Personal Shopper service, which provides advice for passengers from China and, if desired, accompanies them through the security checks right up to the departure gate.

International Tourism Exchange (ITB) Berlin March 6 to 10, 2013 / ITB Asia from October 23 to 25, 2013

www.itb-asia.com/en

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