Higher Numbers at IT&CMA - a Signal of Sector Revival

Singapore, 10 December 2003 - It was an impressive showing of industry strength and interest at Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia (IT&CMA) held from 4 to 6 November 2003 in Thailand. The 3-day annual event held at the IMPACT Convention Center, Bangkok, Thailand, saw industry professionals as well as keen buyers and visitors network and negotiate over potential deals.

“It’s been a rather eventful year for the travel and MICE industry; this year’s IT&CMA was not only an opportunity for renewed business discussions and idea exchange, it’s also a symbol of revival for the industry on the whole,” says Mr Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media, show organizer of IT&CMA.

IT&CMA 2003 had 271 exhibiting companies with 563 exhibitor-delegates from 30 countries, many organised in national pavilions and others at corporate booths, spread over a gross floor area of 5,000 sq metres.

A record number of buyers (hosted and trade) and visitors attended the show. This included a total of 338 hosted and trade buyers from over 40 countries. IT&CMA 2003 also welcomed buyers from new countries such as Czech Republic, Denmark, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway and Turkey. This was also bolstered by the attendance of more than 580 trade visitors.

The show was also attended by nearly 80 international press from over 20 countries and is expected to enjoy wide range of coverage.

Commenting on the show statistics, Mr Ng says, ““These show figures have been very encouraging; with the contacts initiated and deals cut at this year’s show, we’re sure that there will be more activities and initiatives launched in the coming months that will help bring the sector back to its previous high point. We are certainly pleased that the Asia Pacific MICE industry see the value in using IT&CMA as a platform to re-establish ties and boost their business.”

Project Manager Ms Melinda Mak added, “Our exhibitors, buyers and visitors have all acclimatized themselves to our new host country, Thailand, very well and the move to Thailand has also injected new energies and excitement to the show. And we have been able to push forward new initiatives in the conference, exhibition as well as familiarization trips with Tourism Authority of Thailand, making the show more enjoyable for all, including the organizers.”

TTG Asia Media is already laying the groundwork for IT&CMA 2004, planning the programme with Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and other key partners in the MICE industry. With the co-location of Corporate Travel World (CTW) and IT&CMA in Bangkok from October 12 to 14 at IMPACT Convention Centre, the number of delegates is expected to increase by an additional 400 people.

CTW is a platform for corporate travel managers, travel agencies and suppliers to meet and discuss the impact of global and regional issues on the development of business travel into and out of the region.

For further information, please contact:

Ms Melinda Mak
Project Manager
TTG ASIA MEDIA PTE LTD
9 Battery Road #17-02/12 Straits Trading Building Singapore 049910
Tel: 65 6395 7512
Fax: 65 6536 0896
Email: melinda.mak@ttgasia.com
Website: http://www.itcma.com.sg

Media inquiries should be sent to Ms Arica Kwok, Marketing Executive, at the same postal address and fax number, or e-mail arica.kwok@ttgasia.com.

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TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd is a leading organiser and event manager of travel trade shows in Asia: IT&CMA, Corporate Travel World Asia-Pacific (CTW) and ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 1998, 2001 and 2003. It also publishes five titles targeted at distinct segments of the travel trade: TTG Asia, TTG China, Incentive & Meetings Asia (IMA), Business Travel News (BTN) Asia-Pacific and BTN China, the latest title launched in November 2002. These trade shows and publications provide the best marketing access to Asia-Pacific’s travel marketplace, influencers and deciders. TTG Asia Media is a member company of chinadotcom and hongkong.com.