ITB Asia, ‘Asia’s Leading Travel Trade Show’, receives dedicated supportfrom leading hotel groups as they focus on growth in Asia. A strong increase in participation from hoteliers demonstrates their support to ITB Asia as they focus on MICE, corporate and leisure segments in Asia. Hoteliers are increasingly maximising their business objectives in Asia; the demand comes amid a rise of hotel groups expanding in Asia as they try to capitalise on the increase of tourism in the region for the MICE, corporate and leisure segments.
Major hotel players such as InterContinental Hotels Group, Wyndham Hotel Group, Best Western International, Radisson Hotel Group, Worldhotels AG, Pan Pacific Hotel Group, Worldwide Hotels Pte Ltd and Meliá Hotels International will be exhibiting at ITB Asia 2018. The regional players exhibiting include New World Hotels & Resorts, Berjaya Hotels & Resorts, Ri-Yaz Hotels & Resorts, Harbour Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Jayakarta Hotels & Resorts, Okura Nikko Hotels, Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, Santika Hotels, Amara Hotels & Resorts, Dvaree Hotels & Resorts, Far East Hospitality Management (S) Pte Ltd and Furama Hotels International Management Pte Ltd.
In addition, individual properties are supporting the travel trade show as well. These include leading hotels such as Marina Bay Sands, Resorts World Sentosa, Desaru Coast Malaysia,JW Marriott South Beach, and many more. In a bid todemonstrate their commitment to the show, significant hotels are also expanding their exhibition space; Okura Hotels have expanded their space by an impressive 40%, Worldwide Hotels have expanded by 33%, and Far East Hospitality by 25%.
This year, the travel trade show has seen a 125% increase of hotels signing up to the Hosted Buyer Programme, one of which beingIHG as they reinvest their interest in ITB Asia. Through the programme, IHG, together with the other Buyer Programme partners,can recommend their top MICE, corporate and leisure buyers which will ensure the quality of ITB Asia’s buyers at the show. Looking to develop theiroffering for corporates as well as mergers and inquisitions, IHGwill also be moving into the sponsorship space of the MICE & Corporate Hub this year.
Successful results can be achieved at ITB Asia asit proves to be a key platform for hotel groups to communicate their business developments and create strong ties with potential buyers during the show.
Olivier Berrivin, Managing Director of International Operations in Asia, Best Western Hotels & Resorts said, ‘Best Western Hotels & Resorts has attended every edition of ITB Asia since the event launched more than a decade ago. It never fails to produce results, generating strong business for our hotels and improving our brand recognition. We look forward to returning to ITB Asia in 2018.’
In addition, Arthur Kiong, CEO, Far East Hospitality commented that, ‘The Singapore Tourism Board recently announced that tourist arrivals are expected to continue growing until 2020. With the increasing visitor arrivals, traveller’s needs and preferences will continue to evolve as well. To cater to these changing demands, FEH recently announced its expansion into Sentosa with three hotels and two of which are new brands; The Outpost Hotel and The Barracks Hotel, while the third is Village Hotel at Sentosa. The three properties will have a total room inventory of 839 keys. Given that ITB Asia not only covers the leisure market, but also corporate and MICE travel, it presents a good platform for Far East Hospitality to share more about how we are ready for the uptake in tourism, as well as catering to the underserved mid-tier sector.’
Mark Flower, Vice President Commercial, South East Asia & Korea, IHG said, ‘We are proud to be a partner of ITB Asia. Asia Pacific continues to be an important market for IHG, and we are excited to bring our new upscale brand voice to the region – to cater for growing inbound travel to the region. As we grow our footprint, we continue to expand our sales efforts into new markets and increase our presence in key growth markets, with Singapore serving as a key hub for Corporate and MICE business.’