Recent
research conducted by Reed Travel Exhibitions has confirmed that 40%
of Regional Hosted Buyers attending GIBTM have confirmed a direct
interest in placing outbound business
into Asia.
Lois
Hall, GIBTM Event Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions commented,
“Things are looking very positive for next year with 65% of MENA
buyers from our survey also reporting an increase in events placed
over the next 12 months with Thailand, Malaysia, Turkey, Sri Lanka,
Maldives and Japan being specified as top destinations to place
future business. Further to this, we have also seen a substantial
increase in regional Hosted Buyers registered with a 30% increase
expected to attend the show.”
Paul
Bryan, MICE Manager, dnata - Gulf Ventures commented, “Attending
GIBTM as a Hosted Buyer provided a platform for me to meet with
specifically with South East Asian exhibitors as 30% of our business
is outbound. It was especially useful as I was able to meet
directly with suppliers from China, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan”.
Bryan
continues, “GIBTM is a well organised show with high quality
exhibitors - making it a very worth while show to attend. GIBTM is a
key show in the region in terms of networking with both regional and
international exhibitors. The show is a must attend event for major
players in this part of the world”.
As
a direct result of the increased demand for outbound business
into Asia, GIBTM has created a specialist exhibitor pavilion on the
show floor, providing a dedicated area for exhibitors from the Asia
Pacific region. The new Asia pavilion will provide a meeting area for
exhibitors to showcase their products to regional and international
visitors as well as Hosted Buyers.
GIBTM
2012 saw a rise in high-quality senior buyers especially from the
Middle East and Asia, as well as a 100 percent increase in buyers
from Saudi Arabia compared to 2011.