THE 11TH EDITION OF ILTM ASIA- MORE RELEVANT THAN EVER AS CHINESE TRAVEL CONTINUES TO GROW

• CHINESE TRAVEL TRIPS EXPECTED TO INCREASE BY 16% EACH YEAR UNTIL 2020
• “ILTM Asia is an investment that’s dependably valuable every year” 

Entering its 11th year, International Luxury Travel Market Asia (ILTM) 2017 (www.iltm.com/asia) is now accrediting the continent’s most high level and productive luxury travel agents to attend. Buyers and agents from over 20 Asia Pacific countries will once again be represented at ILTM Asia 2017, taking place 5 – 8 June in Shanghai, a large proportion of whom will be new to the ILTM portfolio.

Regardless of recent concerns over China’s slowing economy, the amount and frequency of travels both domestic and abroad are still expected to increase by 16% each year until 2020, reaching 234 million according to Agility Affluent Insightsä Luxury Travel Survey. Survey results also showed that 4 in 5 affluent Chinese plan to increase their travel in the next year and 7 in ten plan to travel more luxuriously than previously indicating a growing priority on the travel experience.

Chinese travellers are also expected to spend an approximate total of $422 billion in foreign countries by 2020, highlighting the fact that monitoring changing travel and consumption behavior of this key source market is key to both driving growth and accessing untapped market potentials.
The region is set to see the world’s highest growth of HNWIs projected into 2017, with 322 million Chinese Millennials influencing consumer behavior and trends, as well as travelling more frequently and spending more freely on travel.

The Affluent Insightsä Luxury Travel Survey revealed that 50% of affluent consumers in China have a minimum annual household income of CNY 200,000+ and 10% make more than CNY 1 million. The top 3 most popular activities for these consumers when travelling include local food experiences, theme parks and outlet shopping. According to the report, 76% prefer to visit destinations they have not visited before, setting their sights on the Maldives and Paris in the next 12 months.

As luxury travel brands identify a growing need to meet Chinese as well as pan-Asian travellers’ expectations of luxury travel, ILTM Asia continues to be a showcase for the newest luxury experiences for the market. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to showcase their brands and launch new products to not only these highly qualified hosted buyers, but influential luxury media from across the world.

Alison Gilmore, Portfolio Director of the ILTM Portfolio comments:
“The majority of travellers in all Asian markets and particularly China, are very interested in exploring new destinations they have not previously visited. New experiences and activities are also a major influencer in destination choice, and activities are often booked ahead of travel, giving suppliers the chance to tailor their products accordingly.”

Considering Asia’s ever increasing affinity for international travel, ILTM Asia continues to lead as the most significant industry event of the annual business calendar for the luxury travel industry in the region and a highly anticipated source of business generation for all participants.

Over 500 of the world’s most prestigious luxury travel buyers will be selected to ensure that exhibitors have the opportunity to meet the right high end agents for the their businesses. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to showcase their brands and launch new products to not only these highly qualified hosted buyers, but influential luxury media from across the world.

Federico Versari, General Manager, Grand Hotel et de Milan says:
“As a first time exhibitor, I was very impressed with ILTM Asia 2016 and the organization from Reed. I had very good business meetings, met powerful brands and influential buyers, and secured great opportunities for our hotel and the destinations of Milan and Italy. I will definitely return next year.”

Cathy Favaloro, Regional Director of Sales, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, says:
“ILTM Asia is an opportunity to meet with existing customers and make connections with those who do not visit Australia. Without ILTM Asia we would not have the opportunity to meet with new luxury buyers. Having been in the industry for 20 years, it is fabulous to have a conduit to be introduced to new targeted buyers for Four Seasons.”

Steve Odell, SVP + Managing Director Australasia, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, adds:
“The concentration of appointments over the four days gives us an opportunity to see a lot of existing partners and new buyers over a short space of time. The fact that all the buyers are pre-vetted and selected means that we meet only the right people. The organization is excellent and within our region, I think it’s the most important industry event.”

Jack Lim, Regional VP Sales Marketing China, Kempinski Hotels, says:
“ILTM Asia is the annual event where we can focus our energy every year to showcase our product and meet new quality buyers. It’s an investment that’s dependably valuable for us every year”

Zan Wu of Zanadu, says:
“We always come to ILTM Asia. It is the best opportunity for us to maintain relationships with clients as well as finding out about what is new. The appointments are also a great chance for our agents to update suppliers on what our clients are looking for”

Henrik Bork, President & Founder of Lychee.com, adds:
“For my business, this is the most important trade event every year. Each time we attend, we leave with 30 or 40 new deals agreed. I have been coming to ILTM Asia for three years and once again I have been introduced to some stunning new properties”

Ôn Nhã Nghi, Director of Sales & Marketing, The Reverie, Saigon, says:
“It’s a fascinating experience to be here and I was especially impressed and enthralled with the seminars and educational component. ILTM Asia is a perfect platform for us to target the Chinese luxury market and generation Y.”

Jack Lim, Regional VP Sales Marketing China, Kempinski Hotels, adds:
“ILTM Asia is the annual event where we can focus our energy every year to showcase our product and meet new quality buyers. It’s an investment that’s dependably valuable for us every year.”

Ms Gilmore concluded:
“We are focussing on recruiting even more influential buyers from China as well as Singapore, Indonesia, and Hong Kong at ILTM Asia 2017 and anticipating millions of dollars in ROI for our exhibitors. The event really is a unique opportunity to meet with buyers from both emerging and established Asian markets to develop new business opportunities as well as positioning for future growth.”

For further information on all ILTM events, please visit www.iltm.com and follow @ILTM_events. To register for accreditation and for further information, please see http://www.iltm.com/asia or contact andy.ventris@reedexpo.co.uk

ILTM Asia, Shanghai: 5 June – 8 June 2017
www.iltm.com/asia