Exhibition space increased by 50 percent – More than 700 exhibitors from 80 different countries – more floor space for exhibitors from Middle East and Latin America – many newcomers
Shanghai – After its premiere last year the success of ITB China is set to continue: China’s new marketplace for the travel industry, taking place from 16 to 18 May in Shanghai, is fully booked out one month before the show with a 50 percent increase of the gross exhibition area compared to last year. More than 700 exhibitors from 80 countries will be represented in China’s three-day B2B travel trade show. In addition to established exhibitors from last year, ITB China has been able to secure many newcomers.
David Axiotis, General Manager ITB China: “ITB China is becoming a driving force behind the Chinese travel industry. Exhibitors and visitors can look forward to three highly intense business days at the second edition of ITB China with interesting opportunities to explore the latest trends in Chinese travel”. The event attracts more than 700 exhibitors among which 27 percent offer MICE & Corporate products, 60 percent Leisure and 13 percent travel technology solutions. Over one-third (37 percent) of the exhibitors will be coming from Europe, and another third (33 percent) from Asia including China. The Americas (15 percent) and the Middle East (15 percent) are also strongly represented.
Being the largest exhibitor, the European Commission will have a strong exhibition presence on the show floor presenting, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia along with other European countries such as Greece and Turkey, Liechtenstein, Malta, Portugal and partner destination Finland in the European area.
The growth potential of countries from the Middle East and the Americas is also well reflected at ITB China. With the UAE, Israel, Iran and Egypt the Middle East is strongly represented. 31 new exhibitors from the ME will present their services and products. The UAE countries such as Abu Dhabi and Sharjah even expanded their booth space this year. For the first time, Etihad Airways will display its products at ITB China 2018. Rising interest in China on both American continents is demonstrated by a lot of returning as well as new countries attending ITB China such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Los Angeles, Mexico, Panama and Peru.
Among others, the following hotels, OTA’s and transportation providers will be showcasing their portfolio at ITB China: This year’s partner hotel Wyndham Hotels, Jin Jiang Hotels, Pan Pacific Hotels Group, New World Hotels and Resorts, Maritim Hotels and Resorts, the Golden Tulip Hotels., Blacklane, Europcar and Hertz.
Visitors interested in the booming field of online travel and travel technology will also find a grown eTravel World China segment. Well-known companies such as Ctrip, Meituan Travel, Tencent, Expedia Affiliate Network, Hotelbeds, WebBeds, Mafengwo, Tujia.com, Qyer, Shiji Network, On the Way, Yundijie iGola and Hunan Mengtu are only some of the confirmed exhibitors.
On 15 May, the eve of the show, ITB China 2018 kicks off with an exclusive Opening Dinner with 600 senior guests from the global and Chinese travel industry, including Mr. Bo Sun, Senior Vice President of Ctrip and Mr. Steven ShuCMO, Meituan-Dianping. A total of 2,700 attendees are expected to take part in the lectures, discussions and keynotes of ITB China Conference, given by more than 120 industry speakers. More than 10,000 match made appointments between buyers and sellers have already been pre scheduled before the event. This year ITB China is organising five major speed dating events with some 300 participants each enabling buyers to establish valuable links with exhibitors in the shortest possible time. ITB China offers a multitude of networking events and opportunities for making new valuable industry contacts during “ITB China Cruise Night 2.0” powered by Ctrip, the “Party Like a Finn Night” powered by Visit Finland, the “Aftershow Sundowner” powered by Maritim and many more evening functions.
Angelos is the news editor for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). His role includes to monitor the hundrends of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skim the most important according to our strategy. He currently studies Communication, Media & Culture in Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens.