Hosting almost 500 luxury travel buyers from 21 countries across the Asia Pacific, ILTM Asia (www.iltm.com/asia) was firmly established as a true powerhouse in Asia-Pacific luxury travel when it closed today in Shanghai.
As the event where future luxury travel experiences are created and launched for the benefit of the Asian elite, ILTM Asia delivers a business environment where VIP buyers meet luxury travel suppliers on an exclusive one-to-one basis over 3 days.
Exhibitors were enthusiastic in their praise. Maggi Nixon of The Ultimate Traveling Camp, India said: ”This market is like a steam engine, moving fast. Buyers want more and more information on experiential travel in undiscovered destinations.”
Derek Flint, General Manager of the Portman Ritz Carlton said:
“ILTM Asia is an incredibly efficient business strategy for all 5 star hotel brands. To have so many targeted buyers coming together with us to build actual business and importantly, business relationships over such a short period of time is priceless.”
Malik J Fernando, Owner of Ceylon Tea Trails said:
“It’s been an incredible show with a fantastic calibre of buyers, inspirational panel discussions and really beneficial networking events. Best of all for me was the opportunity to meet with so many high profile, influential editors from the world of luxury travel at the dedicated Press Roundtables.”
“We have seen a great selection of very targeted buyers who really understand luxury at ILTM Asia. It was excellent to meet new quality buyers with clientele perfect for us - this is exactly what we were seeking from the event,” added Panjama Leamsuwan of Trisara in Thailand.
Pauline Lee Peres of China’s Le Passage Mohkan Shan also said:
“This was our first visit to ILTM Asia and it has given us a fascinating broad spectrum view of the Asian and particularly Chinese market and also some really high profile international media. We are now looking at taking part in ILTM in Cannes.”
Lauren Scharf of Japan’s The Art of Travel added:
“This is our first time at ILTM Asia in Shanghai. It’s incredible to meet so many Australian and Asian agents and we are really excited to work with a whole new market – truly awesome.”
The buyer community was deliberately handpicked from key target markets across Asia with more than 42% new to this year’s event. A first time Virtuoso agent attending, Barbara Bates of Spencer Travel, Australia commented: “This was an exceptionally relevant event - the standard of suppliers is very high, the appointments are excellent and perfectly targeted for our clientele.”
Julia Enders of Australia’s Private Travel added: “This is an outstanding event – one of the key highlights is the longer appointments where you can actually see who you want, who are relevant and learn. The detail that ILTM Asia and the suppliers have gone to demonstrates a true understanding of the needs of my clients.”
Marc Mekki, CEO of Hong Kong based Platinum Private Journeys commented: “We are constantly looking for new destinations and the right people in these destinations. I am happy to report that we have found premium level partners from pole to pole at ILTM Asia and have already contracted business with key clients.”
Amanda Zhou of China’s Shenzhen Bigeyes said:
“There is even more of a range of top exhibitors this year. For example, shopping malls, as my clients would choose to shop as a key part of their travel itineraries. On the other hand, the exhibitors were both patient and informative during our meetings; they offered a myriad of details for Chinese buyers.”
Toru Terai of Japan’s JST said:
“This was my first time at ILTM Asia and I am convinced it will have an incredible effect on my business in the future – I am truly inspired.”
And Fitri Syamsuddin of Indonesia’s Dreamscape concluded:
“ILTM Asia gets better every year. The products are ambitious and the exhibitors are fully aware of the power of Asian buyers.”
Alison Gilmore, ILTM”s Senior Exhibition Director concluded: “ILTM Asia 2014 has revealed a real demand for elite travel experiences from the escalating Asia Pacific region. The results of this year’s show prove once more that ILTM Asia is the leading luxury travel forum to generate new business as well as confirm long-standing relationships across this exciting region.”
ILTM Asia 2015 will take place 1 - 4 June 2014, again in Shanghai. ILTM’s focus will now turn to ILTM Americas, 22 – 25 September in Mayakoba, Mexico; ILTM Spa, 29 September – 1 October in London and the continued success of ILTM, 1 – 4 December in Cannes, France. ILTM events are organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions, the world’s leading provider of exhibitions in the travel and tourism industry and part of Reed Exhibitions. For more information on all ILTM events, please visit www.iltm.com.
