Led by Executive Director, Christophe Verstraete, this non-profit association, through its one-member-per-country policy, offers global clients top quality professional service in the field of group travel, meetings, incentives and conventions across 37 unique destinations around the world. At the moment, only 3 of these destinations, namely, China, India and Thailand, are in Asia. The rest are spread across Europe, South America, Africa and the Middle East.Verstraete said, “We see the Chinese market as a strong growth area for our association, so with our presence at IT&CM China, we hope to increase our visibility and attain greater familiarity in this market.” Citing IT&CM China’s excellent reputation in the industry, the good mix of international and Chinese buyers, as well as the show’s proprietary business matching facilities (pre-scheduled appointments and online diary system), Verstraete believes that the show will prove beneficial to his various DMC members who are interested in China’s burgeoning outbound market.
The inbound and domestic opportunities that IT&CM China delivers are also reasons why his local destination member – Destination China – is excited to join Euromic at this event. “We have seen significant return of business to China. 2013 has been the best year since 2007 (excluding 2008’s exceptional performance for the Olympic year) and 2014 is shaping up to be a very good year as well,” remarked Gunther Homerlein, General Manager of Destination China, adding that interest in China have opened beyond the Banking and Insurance industries that used to be the dominant clientele he serves.
Beijing with its main attractions like The Great Wall and Forbidden City, coupled with its advanced MICE infrastructure continues to be the biggest draw for his clients, with Shanghai being a close second. Other destinations with ready interest include Xian and Chengdu. Homerlein will be taking advantage of the IT&CM China platform to showcase other destinations to buyers, “We are looking to organise a private post-show fam tour to both Hangzhou and Shanghai, with a focus on the former. Hangzhou is an ideal location for executive retreats and smaller meetings and incentives that is at present, still unfamiliar to many. Our invite list on the tour will comprise about 10 IT&CM China 2014 hosted buyers, as well as agencies that we currently have dealings with, and other buyers with a definitive interest in China.” Initial highlights of the tour are said to comprise of exploring the city’s French Quarters on motorbike sidecars and discovering new venues.
To find out more about Euromic’s offerings in 37 destinations, visit their booth at IT&CM China from 15 to 17 April 2014. Euromic will also be participating at IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific from 29 September to 2 October 2014.
