BITTM, the Beijing International Travel and Tourism Market taking place 3-5 April this year, is announcing the participation of exhibitors from South America and the Caribbean. The China outbound tourism event is…
BITTM, the Beijing International Travel and Tourism Market taking place 3-5 April this year, is announcing the participation of exhibitors from South America and the Caribbean. The China outbound tourism event is welcoming nearly 40 countries from around the world.
International tour operators, hotel groups and tourism boards from countries such as Cuba, Mexico, Peru, Jamaica and the Turks and Caicos Islands will be exhibiting at BITTM and promoting their destinations to the Chinese travel trade. The event will enable overseas destinations to identify partnership opportunities with tourist organizations based in one of the world’s fastest growing tourist economies. High profile tourism ministers and ambassadors from Mexico, Jamaica and the Turks and Caicos Islands will be attending and networking with delegates.
BITTM is the only dedicated outbound travel event in China offering international tourism organizations the chance to meet Chinese travel professionals with a view to creating strong partnerships within one of the most dynamic and thriving parts of the Chinese economy. The show is expected to attract over 300 hosted buyers and 2,000 visitors. Last year, BITTM’s first event welcomed over 120 exhibitors from 31 countries.
The event’s conference will be packed with experts on China tourism, discussing the industry’s hot topics and helping to highlight the opportunities available in the market. The show creates the ideal platform for foreign exhibitors and delegates to understand the needs of the Chinese market.
South America and the Caribbean are becoming important destinations for Chinese tourists. In January 2006, China opened its first air route to South America, from Beijing to Sao Paulo. Brazil and China are working closer together to identify opportunities for economic and trade cooperation. The Cuban Tourism Ministry is planning to open a representative office in Beijing to provide better services to Chinese travelers.
The Caribbean is also opening up to China and in February 2006, the Chinese Vice President Zeng Qinghong, visited Jamaica for a three-day China-Caribbean economic and trade forum. China recently added Antigua, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Jamaica, and St. Lucia to its approved travel destinations, promising the region a bigger piece of the Chinese tourist market.
Karen Taylor, BITTM Event Director, said: “We’re delighted to have our new exhibitors on board. BITTM provides all participants with the ideal platform to tap into the biggest boom global tourism has seen in decades. Our event comes at a pivotal time in global tourism developments, presenting international travel professionals with an unrivalled and exciting commercial opportunity. The conference program is packed with high profile international and Chinese travel experts sharing their expertise and insights into the wide- ranging market opportunities”.
Over 118 countries have already signed Approved Destination Status (ADS) agreements with China, 76 of which can already receive tourist groups. Destinations investing heavily in the Chinese marketplace include: Australia, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Singapore, France, Italy, Germany and Switzerland.
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