SINGAPORE - Floor space at the inaugural ITB Asia, October 22-24 in Singapore, has been sold out three months ahead the show.

Organiser, Messe Berlin (Singapore), says that any new exhibitor applications will have to join a waiting list and cannot be guaranteed floor space.

To date, exhibitors from 42 countries have booked more than 500 units of booth space in Halls 601-603 at Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“The travel industry from around the world has responded magnificently to the ITB Asia proposition,” said Whey Whey Ng, general manager of Messe Berlin (Singapore).

“Many exhibitors say they have booked space for two main reasons: the ITB brand reputation and their desire to attract visitors from Asia, the largest and fastest growing market in the world.”

Exhibitors from every sector of the industry have booked floor space.

Of all ITB Asia exhibitors this year, 39 percent come from the accommodation sector, 27 percent are either tour operators or travel agencies, 16 percent are NTOs, and 10 percent are travel technology firms, MICE or corporate travel representatives.

The remaining eight percent comprise airlines, cruise lines, railways, spa operators, car rentals, associations, media representatives, or information service providers.

For many exhibitors, ITB Asia will be their first trade show exposure in Asia. New exhibitors from outside the region include NTOs from Brazil, Peru, Tanzania, Turkey, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, Oman and Qatar.

The Slovak Tourist Board is continuing its successful partnership with Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic, having taken-up a large joint space.

“Most of our varied list of exhibitors know and trust us from ITB Berlin,” said Dr Martin Buck, director of Messe Berlin (Singapore).

“Through ITB Asia, we are now in a fortunate position to help them secure a share of the rapidly expanding Asian market. It’s a logical expansion of our already successful