SINGAPORE
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has announced a strategic partnership with Messe Berlin (Singapore), the organizer of ITB Asia, branded as ‘The Trade Show for the Asian Travel Market.'
As part of the partnership, GBTA will hold a Business Travel Day at ITB Asia 2014 presenting educational sessions on business travel management. One of the highlights will be the latest Business Travel Index Report with new key insights into corporate travel trends for Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC).
“Over the past decade, the Asia Pacific region has become the largest business travel region in the world," said Nino Gruettke, Executive Director of ITB Asia. "As all eyes look to this region, it becomes even more critical for us to maintain our position as a dynamic marketplace of ideas and business opportunities."
Welf Ebeling, GBTA vice president, operations, Asia, added: “Having worked in tandem with ITB Asia for many years, we’ve watched the show evolve into a must-attend event for the Asian travel trade industry. Leveraging this global platform, we have decided to strengthen our involvement and increase our presence even further through multiple co-located events and initiatives during the trade show."
The inaugural Business Travel Day will offer attendees engaging and useful content on the latest economic forecasts of business travel spend in the region, as well as offer new insights to support business travel professionals looking to expand in the Asian travel market. These sessions will complement ITB Asia’s already established high-powered, tailored conference sessions and provide even more value for delegates.
Last year, ITB Asia attracted close to 9,100 attendees, representing over 110 countries and these numbers are expected to grow again this year underscoring ability of attendees to “meet the world” in three days at this event.
Now in its seventh year, ITB Asia continues to develop its offerings to visitors and represents the full spectrum of tourism at all levels including the hospitality sector, aviation companies, tour operators or travel agencies, National Tourism Organisations, travel technology firms, MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) and corporate travel representatives.
More About GBTA and ITB Asia 2014
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) is the world’s premier business travel and meetings trade organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area with operations on six continents. GBTA’s 7,000-plus members manage more than $345 billion of global business travel and meetings expenditures annually. GBTA and the GBTA Foundation deliver world-class education, events, research, advocacy and media to a growing global network of more than 28,000 travel professionals and 125,000 active contacts.
ITB Asia 2014 will take place at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, Marina Bay Sands, from 29-31 October 2014. It is organized by Messe Berlin (Singapore) Pte Ltd and supported by the Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau.
