ITB Asia 2008: Exhibitors Signing up Faster Than Anticipated

ITB Asia, the New B2b Travel Trade Show for the Asian Outbound
Markets, Meets with an Unexpectedly Strong Demand from the
International Travel Industry
SINGAPORE--(Business Wire)--Since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between
Messe Berlin, organizer of the world's largest travel trade show, ITB
Berlin, and the Singapore Tourism Board in April 2007 for Singapore to
host the show's first-ever Asian edition of ITB, significant progress
has been made, reflecting the show's popular appeal among key global
travel trade industry players.

To be held at Suntec Singapore from 22 to 24 October 2008, ITB
Asia is a unique international platform with a strong focus on Asian
buyers and sellers, and the Asian travel source markets, without
neglecting key buyers and exhibitors from other regions.

Organised by Messe Berlin, ITB Asia has seen stronger than
expected demand from the international travel industry, reflecting the
buoyant outlook of the Asian outbound travel and the growth potential
of the travel trade in the region.

Martin Buck, Director of Messe Berlin Singapore said, "We are
pleased to have confirmed more than a hundred exhibitors from 32
countries, more than ten months in advance of the event."

Exhibitors include some 30 National Tourism Organisations
including those of Germany, Maldives, Spain and Singapore; major
travel organisations such as Silversea Cruises, Orient Express Travels
& Tours, Commonwealth Travel Service and Hong Thai Travel; leading
accommodation providers including Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Marina
Bay Sands Pte Ltd, Millenium & Copthorne International, Starwood Asia
Pacific Hotels & Resorts Pte Ltd, Swissotel Hotels & Resorts, and Taj
Hotels Resorts and Palaces; as well as important online industry
players like HRS.

"Obviously the vision and format of ITB Asia meet the zeitgeist
(ethos) of the travel industry. Besides focusing on the Asian travel
source markets without neglecting key buyers from other important
markets, ITB Asia concentrates on small and medium size enterprises
that cater to the rising travel demand for innovative niche products
and it promises to be the platform not only for leisure buyers but
also for meeting planners and corporate travel managers," said Dr
Buck.

Buck also stressed the very competitive pricing of ITB Asia. Not
only that the price of 2,500 US Dollars for the first nine square
metres includes three exhibitor passes. There is also a 10 percent
early bird available and -most important- a special product for small
and medium sized exhibitors that costs still 40 percent less.

Feedback from exhibitors also echo the vision for the show. As
Frank Trampert, VP Distribution Services & IT, Carlson Group puts it:
"Asia deserves an ITB". Eric Bello, VP Sales, Las Vegas Sands
Corporation, adds: "ITB Asia may be the dominant travel trade show of
Asia."

Mr Aloysius Arlando, Assistant Chief Executive of the Business
Travel and MICE Group, Singapore Tourism Board, said, "We are
heartened to see such an encouraging response to the inaugural ITB
Asia. ITB Asia is undoubtedly a jewel in our crown of business events
in the travel and tourism cluster, and will contribute significantly
to our Tourism 2015 targets. We look forward to a successful show next
year, and in welcoming all delegates and visitors to Uniquely
Singapore."

The inaugural ITB Asia is expected to attract around 5,000
delegates, including tourism exhibitors and trade visitors from around
the world, especially travel trade players in Asia, such as airlines,
tour and hotel operators.

Travel trade players can network, share knowledge on the latest
trends and discuss key issues and challenges related to different
parts of the value chain for travel and tourism businesses through
avenues such as conference, seminars and workshops at ITB Asia.

About Messe Berlin

Messe Berlin is a company specializing in the organization of
international trade shows, exhibitions, and conventions. With a
program of nearly 130 international trade events taking place at the
Berlin Exhibition Grounds each year, Messe Berlin ranks as one of the
world's top ten exhibition companies. The trade show and convention
industry is a key economic factor in the Berlin-Brandenburg area. It
attracts significant buying power and brings in additional tax
revenues. Trade shows and conventions play an important part in
Berlin's role as an international center of communications and
commerce.

About Singapore Tourism Board

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is an economic development
agency for one of Singapore's key service sectors - tourism. The
mission of the Board is to develop and champion tourism, so as to
build the sector into a key driver of economic growth for Singapore.
The STB aims to differentiate and market Singapore as a memorable
destination through the proliferation of the destination brand
"Uniquely Singapore".

About the Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau

The Singapore Exhibition and Convention Bureau (SECB), a group of
the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), is the lead government agency for
the business events sector in Singapore. Its mission is to champion
business travel and business events as key drivers of the tourism
sector and enablers for cluster growth in Singapore. It also assists
business event organisers, corporations and associations by providing
comprehensive and impartial information on Singapore's MICE
facilities, incentive venues and industry partners. The SECB is a
member of the BestCities Global Alliance, the world's first and only
convention bureau alliance with eight partners in five continents.

For more information, please visit:
http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home/mice_home.html

Messe Berlin:
Michael T. Hofer
Group Press and Public Relations Director
or
ITB Asia and ITB Berlin:
Press Officer
Astrid Ehring, +4930 3038-2275
Fax: +4930 3038-2141
ehring@messe-berlin.com
www.messe-berlin.com
or
Singapore Tourism Board
Ms Lee Sin Yee, +65 6831 3630
Manager, BTMICE & Services Communications Department
Cell: +65 9626 3597
lee_sin_yee@stb.gov.sg
or
Ms Angeline Kim-Kyna Tan, +65 6831 3771
Assistant Director,
BTMICE & Services Communications Department
Cell: +65 9880 1874
angeline_kimkyna_tan@stb.gov.sg
Or
STB Hotline, +65 90112071
or
Contact for exhibitors
Messe Berlin Singapore
Mrs Whey Whey Ng, +65 6330 6615
General Manager ITB Asia
whey.ng@itb-asia.com
or
Messe Berlin
Mrs Astrid Wargenau, +49 30 3038 2339
Sales Executive ITB Asia
wargenau@messe-berlin.com

Copyright Business Wire 2007