Category Archives: Exhibitions

ITB concludes with immense growth from ME and Europe :Joyce Wang

Speaking with TravTalkME Middle East,  Joyce Wang – Executive Director of Messe Berlin Asia Pacific, Organiser of ITB Asia, MICE Show Asia and Travel Tech Asia shared that this year ITB Asia concluded with immense growth from the Middle East and Europe. Wang shared, “So we not only had exhibitors from the Middle East, but we also had buyers from the Middle East coming down to Asia. It’s a big market for us. For the Middle East, we are looking at two important sectors, wellness travel as well as luxury travel. They are coming in quite well and a big trend this year. Lots of regional and local NTOs are actually looking into tapping into these two themes to attract the Middle East buyers.” She further reiterated that this year’s 3 day show concluded on a positive note with 45,000 business appointments, 18,500 visitors from 85 countries featuring 1950 exhibitors and over 1400 buyers across the globe.

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17th edition of ITB Asia kicks off in Singapore with 85 exhibitors

The official opening ceremony of the 17th edition of ITB Asia, Singapore was graced by Alvin Tan – Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth of Singapore, Mario Tobias- CEO Messe Berlin and David Ruetz – Senior Vice President, Messe Berlin, reported TravTalkME as media partner of the event. Bringing together over 85 tourism organisations and convention bureaus from across the globe, the 17th edition of ITB Asia promises to be the most expansive and diverse yet. The 3-in-1 show features a 75% increase in African exhibitors and 25% growth from Europe. 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.” Co-located with MICE Show Asia and Travel Tech Asia, ITB Asia, ‘Asia’s leading travel trade show’ opened its doors today at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Over the next three business days, travel industry professionals will be able to look forward to the largest and most diverse exhibition event and conference programme to date. Spanning across three massive halls, ITB Asia and MICE Show Asia will showcase a diverse range of exhibitors from destinations, attractions, airlines, hotels, cruises, and the MICE industry. 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, a 75% growth in African representation, and a 25% increase from Europe, the event will offer attendees unmatched opportunities to explore new markets, build partnerships, and gather key takeaways for business …

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Arabian Travel Market 2025 will highlight the power of connectivity as global travel and tourism sector soars

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) will underscore the pivotal role of connectivity in shaping the future of tourism with the theme: “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity” when it returns to Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 April to 1 May 2025. In light of the unprecedented growth within the global travel and tourism sector, ATM 2025 is set to play a pivotal role in shaping its future. Bringing together professionals and industry leaders from the leisure, MICE, luxury and corporate travel sectors, ATM provides a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and business opportunities, allowing participants to explore the latest trends, innovations, and developments worldwide. This international presence enables diverse perspectives to come together, fostering a rich cross-border collaboration and innovation environment. Each year, ATM highlights specific aspects of travel that will shape the sector’s future, and this year’s theme will explore how the future of tourism is defined by connectivity across borders, industries and communities. Commenting on the theme for ATM 2025, Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Connectivity extends beyond technology. It also involves creating communities that serve as important centres for trade and tourism. By working together and embracing innovation and better connectivity, ATM is paving the way for the future of travel. This ensures that tourism in the coming years is more sustainable, inclusive, and closely linked with global economic growth.” In July 2024, the Dubai Media Office (DMO) reported that the city had welcomed a record 9.31 million international overnight visitors in the first half of 2024. According to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), this figure represents a 9% increase from the same period in 2023. Dubai’s tourism …

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Qatar Travel Mart returns with its 3rd edition 25 – 27 November 2024

The highly anticipated 3rd edition of Qatar Travel Mart (QTM), organized by NeXTfairs, is set to take place from 25 -27 November 2024, at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center (DECC). As the premier event showcasing global travel and tourism offerings, QTM is dedicated to highlighting Qatar as a leading hub in the industry with TravTalk ME as the media partner. This year, the event will welcome a diverse range of participants including senior executives, decision-makers, tourism experts, academics, researchers, government officials, representatives from related sectors and travel enthusiasts. This year’s edition is set to make a significant impact, with the exhibition space doubling to accommodate more international participants and enhance attendee experience. Featuring 300 hosted buyers and focusing on seven key tourism sectors—Business, Leisure, Luxury, Medical, Cultural, Sports, and Halal Tourism—QTM 2024 will unveil top travel destinations and the latest industry trends. Reflecting on QTM 2023’s success, which saw participation from 60 countries, 250 exhibitors, and nearly 10,000 visitors, “Qatar Travel Mart has been a remarkable journey that underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and connecting industry leaders in the travel and tourism sectors. QTM 2024 is set to be our most impactful event yet, driving progress and shaping the future of the industry,” said Rawad Sleem, Co-Founder & General Manager of NeXTfairs. Feedback from previous participants highlights the event’s exceptional organization and networking opportunities; “The meticulous planning has been evident, and we are pleased with our participation. We are eager to return next year, having achieved about 30 B2B meetings,” noted Suran Rabaev, Head of Department, Tourism Development Support Fund of the Kyrgyz Republic. QTM 2024 will also offer valuable investment opportunities in tourism development and feature a …

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Visit Maldives showcases luxury tourism at Riyadh Travel Fair 2024

Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/ Visit Maldives) participated in the Riyadh Travel Fair (RTF) 2024, organised from 27-29 May 2024. Alongside 17 participants representing 9 companies, MMPRC showcased Maldives as a luxury destination in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). MMPRC’s contribution in the fair was to strengthen the presence of Sunny Side of Life in the KSA market, achieve growth in arrivals, promote segments of tourism, and target affluent travellers in the Middle Eastern luxury segment. Riyadh Travel Fair 2024, convened in the Saudi Capital of Riyadh, is considered as a significant annual event where the leading travel and tourism companies of Saudi Arabia, GCC and other countries gather, with exhibitors representing tourist promotion authorities and tourist companies at the Arab and international levels. RTF is a market for the introduction of tourist products, services, and investments provided by the most significant tourist companies in the world. Corporate travel decision makers, investors, tour operators, travel agents representing VIP clients, and other industry professionals take part in the event every year. At RTF 2024, the Maldives stand offered visitors a glimpse of the Sunny Side of Life. The stand was thoughtfully curated to showcase the diverse segments of the Maldives’ tourism industry, including luxury travel, family holidays, adventure holidays, and cultural experiences. The vibrant and colourful stand featured a range of unique experiences, including a social media contest and a special giveaway. Cultural experiences, such as a Dhivehi Calligraphy Corner, and gastronomy experiences were offered to the visitors, who got a chance to sample Maldivian delicacies. Through the event, Visit Maldives aimed to promote and market the Maldives as the world’s leading destination. It marketed its tourism products, …

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Yalago reveals Dubai, Riviera Maya, and Bali trending with Chinese travellers in 2024

Whilst exhibiting at ITB China Shanghai, Yalago – revealed the latest hotel booking trends and the top destinations with Chinese travellers in 2024. In order of popularity, the choices are Dubai (UAE), Riviera Maya (Mexico), Bali (Indonesia), Singapore (Singapore), and Abu Dhabi (UAE). Yalago is recording the UAE as the most popular country for international hotel bookings from China in 2024 so far, with a 11% growth in booking value this year compared to January – May 2023. With 54% of global bookings from Chinese travellers for five-star hotels, its travel experts attribute this growth to the UAE’s access to luxury properties across a variety of landscapes, close to world-class attractions. Astrid Kastberg, General Manager at Yalago, commented: “China represents one of our fastest-growing source markets for international travel. With the luxury segment prominent, we are finding Chinese travellers booking a more extensive range of five-star hotels, including across the UAE’s cityscapes, islands, and beaches. Through our industry experience and global partnerships, we aim to support worldwide travel companies in offering significant savings to customers, with expertise in destinations including the UAE, and Indian Ocean. We are excited to improve the booking process to the Maldives, as we aim to promote this destination for a standalone stay, or as part of a wider trip.” As luxury beach breaks emerge as on trend, Yalago is launching a new system function to improve the booking process for Chinese travellers seeking to experience the islands of the Maldives in 2024. Yalago’s trade partners can now book a travellers’ hotel stay inclusive of its leading rates, alongside the domestic transfers by seaplane or speedboat required for onward travel, all in one sitting. One of …

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Bahrain, Egypt, Qatar and Saudi shine at ITB China

Looking at the most lucrative market for the Middle East, ITB China had a good representation from the Middle East with tourism boards from Bahrain, Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia occupying a vast space at ITB China 2024. With a 60% increase in scale compared to last year, ITB China welcomes 13 new destinations on the show floor and quite many first-time commercial participants. The Maldives, as the Partner Destination, significantly expands its presence, showcasing diverse products and activities. ITB China 2024 has adopted the inspiring theme “Thrive in Transformation, Reach New Heights. Together”, reflecting the importance of adaptability and innovation in the travel industry, as well as the huge untapped potential of the Chinese travel market. ITB China launched at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center will run from 27 to 29 May, this year’s event boasts an impressive lineup with over 600 exhibitors from more than 80 countries and regions, 1,000+ hand-selected buyers, and 240 media representatives. Mr. David Axiotis, Vice President China at Messe Berlin GmbH says: “This year’s ITB China will once again be a truly remarkable event. Since 2023, China’s travel market has been on a steady positive trajectory, and with the impact of improved visa policies and increased flight capacity, China’s travel market is showing strong signs of growth at the start of 2024. The buyer market this year is buzzing with even stronger demand and a much larger number of participants compared to last year. ITB China supports our global partners in finding their Chinese counterparts and reaching new heights for their China travel business in the coming years.” Copyright: ITB China ITB China 2024 Returns to Full Force, Matching 2019 …

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ITB China kicks off in Shanghai with 650 tourism companies

With TravTalk ME as media partner ITB China and the ITB China Conference kicks off today in Shanghai. The three day networking event expects over 650 tourism companies gather together this year. ITB China will play a crucial role in reconnecting global travel suppliers with the resurgent Chinese market, forging a collective path forward for the industry. As Chinas premier B2B travel trade show, ITB China will once again reflect the entire travel trade spectrum, with suppliers from around the world covering Leisure Travel, MICE, Business Travel, and Travel Technology. In view of the increasing demand from buyers, MICE will gain in importance as a key topic, and more in-depth presentations and discussions will take place on stage of the ITB China Conference 2024. Furthermore, the China Inbound Tourism segment will be relaunched this year. The rising popularity of Custom-themed Travel in the Chinese market and the profound impact of Travel Technology guarantee a rich variety of content sessions, activities and awards, complemented by insights from experienced travel professionals and forward-thinking opinion leaders.

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ATM kicks off in Dubai with 2300 exhibitors from 165 countries

The 31st edition of ATM 2024 kicks off in Dubai featuring over 2,300 exhibitors from more than 165 countries, new destinations, including China, Macao, Kenya, Guatemala, and Columbia and expects over 41,000 visitors. Held under the theme ‘Empowering Innovation: Transforming Travel Through Entrepreneurship’, spotlighting a pivotal area for the travel and tourism industry. From startups to established brands, ATM 2024 will highlight how innovators are enhancing customer experiences, driving efficiencies and accelerating progress towards a net-zero future for the industry. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market added: “ATM 2024 is gearing up for an exciting lineup spread across two stages, with the Global Stage returning alongside the new Future Stage. The conference agenda will feature key industry speakers from around the world and address the emerging trends that are fueling the travel and tourism sector’s growth.” Curtis added: “An eagerly awaited addition to ATM 2024 is the new Entrepreneurship-focused summit, which will delve into the role of travel start-ups in the Middle East economy, spotlighting their pioneering approaches. As entrepreneurship and innovation take centre stage, the exciting ATM Start-Up Pitch Battle, in partnership with Emirates Group’s Intelak provides the perfect platform to celebrate the immense potential for innovators in the region and for brands to present their industry solutions.” The number of participating hotel brands for ATM 2024 has increased by 21% year-on-year, with a 58% rise in new Travel Technology products showcased. Several new destinations will be introduced at ATM 2024, including China, Macao, Kenya, Guatemala, and Columbia, while returning countries include Spain and France, among many others. Upticks across all key verticals with year-on-year growth across all regions participation including ME 28%, Asia and Europe 34%, and …

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DCT Abu Dhabi forges strategic alliances during debut at Moscow’s International Travel & Hospitality Show

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) made its inaugural appearance at the 30th International Travel & Hospitality Show (MITT) in Moscow. Marking the destination’s inaugural participation at the annual travel and hospitality event, the Abu Dhabi stand aimed to cultivate and strengthen ties within the Russian and CIS markets, while enhancing awareness and appreciation for its offerings across culture, heritage, entertainment, nature, hospitality and beyond. Winning the ‘Outstanding Debut Award’, the Abu Dhabi stand took centre stage in the main hall, with the DCT Abu Dhabi International Operations Department and a delegation of 10 stakeholders spotlighting the emirate’s wide array of attractions and offerings. Further to promoting, protecting and progressing the emirate’s rich cultural and historic heritage, DCT Abu Dhabi’s presence also catered to sun and beach enthusiasts through sophisticated relaxation and rejuvenating escapes. Abu Dhabi’s participation bolstered connections, fostered new business collaborations and explored avenues for joint marketing endeavours. The 10 participating stakeholders included Khalidiya Palace Rayhaan by Rotana, Saadiyat Rotana, Beach Rotana, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Rixos Hotels, Saadiyat Island & Yas Island, Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Yas Plaza Hotels and Bab Al Qasr Abu Dhabi. Representatives from these stakeholders actively engaged with guests, supporting Abu Dhabi’s vision to share its immersive cultural and heritage experiences, relaxing beach retreats, gastronomic delights, premier shopping outlets, and unparalleled hospitality offerings.

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