The 15th edition of ITB Asia, Asia’s Leading Travel Trade Show, has come to a successful close today with over 27,000 business appointments and meetings recorded. The success of the first face-to-face ITB Asia since the beginning of the pandemic signals returning confidence that travel industry professionals have in the recovery of the tourism sector in Singapore and the region.

“The positive feedback from all attendees showed us how important personal exchange is after two years of holding a purely digital event. As a leading trade fair for Asia’s travel industry, ITB Asia once again provided a unique opportunity and platform for the industry to rebuild, reconnect and give answers to questions about how the MICE industry is making a huge comeback,” says Martin Ecknig, CEO, Messe Berlin.

Key travel issues addressed in ITB Asia Conference sessions

Under the theme “Go Big & Go Forward: Travel Industry on the Road to Recovery and Growth”, ITB Asia 2022 also had a large conference line-up including the co-located MICE Show Asia and Travel Tech Asia. According to a press statement, this year’s conference session ended with over 3950 minutes of high-powered content over 100 sessions where over 180 leading industry heavyweights and innovators in three conference theatres discussed topics critical to the future of MICE, corporate travel, leisure travel and travel technology.

Prominent speakers included senior representatives from Agoda, Amadeus, Corporate Travel Management (CTM), Expedia Group, FCM Travel, IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), International SOS, George P Johnson, Marriott International, Saudi Tourism Authority, Travelport and many more.

“The successful turnout for the three shows indicates a positive return of MICE events in Asia Pacific as the travel industry gains momentum on the route to recovery,” says Katrina Leung, Managing Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), the organiser of MICE Show Asia, Travel Tech Asia and ITB Asia.

Tie up with Singapore Tourism Board extended

Messe Berlin (Singapore) has also announced the extension of its milestone partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) from 2023 to 2025. The two parties announced at this year’s ITB Asia that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to extend the collaborative partnership for the next three years.

“Messe Berlin’s commitment to anchor ITB Asia in Singapore for the next three years is testament to Singapore’s ability to deliver quality MICE events. We are excited that tourism businesses in Singapore and the region will continue to benefit from the opportunity to forge new partnerships and exchange knowledge and ideas,” says Keith Tan, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board.

The next in-person edition of ITB Asia, MICE Show Asia and Travel Tech Asia will take place from October 25-27 2023 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.