Singapore, ITB Asia will be the first opportunity for the travel industry in Asia to discuss impacts and response strategies to the global economic crisis. Leaders of some of the most powerful travel companies in the world will share their perspectives and corporate best practice responses to deal with global financial volatility.

ITB Asia organiser, Messe Berlin (Singapore), wants delegates to address the economic implications. ?Companies dependent on consumers continuing to travel are eager to see where this is going,? said Dr Martin Buck, Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore). ?Responsible delegates and market leaders will share their insights and policy responses to help deal with this latest challenge. Some of the best travel industry minds in the world will be here to bring a balanced long-term perspective to the situation,? he said.

On the ITB Asia trade floor hundreds of buyers will update over 650 exhibitors on the economic climate in their specific markets. In the ITB Asia Convention, CEOs, presidents, chairmen and chief sales officers of international companies such as Starwood, Accor, and Jumeirah will assess implications and economic response strategies in the Hotel Leaders? Forum on 23 October.

Later the same day, Mr Philip Wolf, President & CEO, PhoCusWright Inc will single out the opportunities and pitfalls that the latest economic crisis presents and how online travel distributors should respond.

Gordon Locke, Vice President, Airline Marketing and Strategy, Sabre Airline Solutions/Sabre Travel Network will address ?Turbulence and Opportunity? in the Aviation Forum on 24 October.

Dr Buck said that Asia has a strong record in responding well to crises. ?The Chinese proverb that out of crisis comes opportunity is as true today as ever. Travel leaders I?ve talked to say that this is a time for positive action based on sound strategy. The right place to formulate that strategy is ITB Asia.?

Please check the ITB Asia Event Programme or visit for the latest updates to the programme.

About ITB Asia | ITB Asia will take place for the first time at Suntec Singapore Exhibition & Convention Centre on 22-24 October 2008. It is organised by Messe Berlin (Singapore) Pte Ltd in conjunction with Singapore Tourism Board. The event will feature up to 500 exhibiting companies from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, covering not only the leisure market, but also corporate and MICE travel. It will include exhibition pavilions and tabletop presence for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) providing travel services. Exhibitors from every sector of the industry, including destinations, airlines and airports, hotels & resorts, theme parks & attractions, inbound tour operators, inbound DMCs, cruise lines, spas, venues, other meeting facilities and travel technology companies are all expected to attend.

Astrid Wargenau
Product Manager
+49 (0) 30 - 3038 2339
Messe Berlin GmbH