Shanghai. T&CM China 2009 closed on Friday at ShanghaiMart Expo, China. The third presentation of the annual tradeshow featured a series of fresh and exciting business, networking and learning opportunities for its participants throughout the three days.
Despite the global financial downturn, China’s travel industry continues to provide a leading-edge business platform for the international and local MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) players. By 2020, China is expected to attract more than 137 million overseas business travellers, or 8.6 per cent of the world’s international travel market. Hence, the country still presents some exciting long-term prospects for the MICE industry.
Spanning some 6,200 square metres, this year’s exhibition features over 200 exhibiting companies and organisations from 20 countries. Exhibiting companies include adventure/incentive travel suppliers, airlines and cruise lines, convention/exhibition venues, destination management companies, hotels and resorts, national/state tourism organisations, information technology vendors, event companies, theme parks/leisure attractions and entertainment venues, travel management companies, global distribution systems, car rentals, trade publications/media, trade associations, suppliers of gifts and premiums and many more.
Darren Ng, Managing Director of TTG Asia Media, said, “On the international front, we continue to have the support of major national tourist organisations and leading key industry players. The show provides the best platform for both local and international buyers and sellers to collaborate and do business at IT&CM China 2009.”
He added, “The organisers remain committed to grow IT&CM China into the definitive MICE event for the industry. We are heartened by the commitment of many of our loyal exhibitors who have been with us since the first show, and welcome our new participants. We hope that by working together, the MICE industry will be able to overcome the most challenging business environment the world has witnessed in recent history.”
First-time exhibitors include Turkish Embassy Culture and Information Section, Tourisme Montreal, Japan National Tourism Organisation, Sanya Tourism Bureau, Guilin Municipal Tourism Bureau, HNA Grand Hotel Chang’an Avenue, Marco Polo Corporate Office, The Audience Motivation Company, and Costa Crociere S.P.A. The Macau pavilion takes up the largest exhibiting space with 255 square metres.
Host city Shanghai, along with tourist hotspots like Dalian, Guilin, Hangzhou, and Sanya will showcase their finest offerings at IT&CM China 2009. Sylvia Phua, Chief Executive Officer of MP International, said, “We are delighted that IT&CM China has helped initiate a new mindset in the hearts of local industry players, as we present the largest Chinese participation since the show’s inception in 2007.”
“Out of the 150 local Chinese buyers who have confirmed their attendance, first-time buyers from leading Chinese companies sourcing for products and services at the show make up a significant portion. Their strong presence is indicative of the maturing local MICE industry, as Chinese organisations move forward to seize the business opportunities and rewards of participating in international trade platforms.”
IT&CM China 2009 will see over 2,000 delegates attending the tradeshow. To maximise business appointments, the IT&CM China business matching programme has matched exhibitors with some 300 buyers from 31 countries. The hosted buyers programme ensures only qualified and genuine buyers are invited to attend. This year, the show has attracted new buyers coming from Bulgaria, Japan, Pakistan and Chinese Taipei, with the largest number of international buyers from Malaysia.
