ITTFA, the International Tourism Trade Fairs Association, has launched an innovative programme to support and develop new travel trade shows around the globe.
ITTFA is dedicated to the continual development of the travel trade show industry, increasing participation and setting high standards across Europe and worldwide. Changes to entry requirements and the annual fee structure over the past few years have meant that membership is more accessible to smaller and developing shows, as well as established ones. However, the Association has now gone one step futher and introduced ITTFA Incubator which offers new shows an opportunity to benefit from the backing of the association and the experience and expertise of its members for minimum outlay.
This underlines one of the primary goals of the Association as it strives to reinforce the travel trade environment as the best place to do business, where suppliers can meet buyers from all over the world, face to face, under one roof. To encourage the growth of new shows, particularly in emerging markets will strengthen the industry at grass roots level and provide new opportunities for all. ITTFA hopes to help set good standards from the outset, offering advice and support with models of good practice from its own members.
Tom Nutley has been chairman of ITTFA since he helped to establish the original association in 1992. “Growth markets are an integral part of the future development and success of travel exhibitions and I am delighted that we now have an opportunity to assist new shows by providing them with a voice and an arena to promote their event, supported by tried and trusted organizational methods. As many travel enterprises struggle to maintain their markets, it is even more important to have the support and backing of other industry colleagues.
Even long standing shows in traditional markets are re-thinking there operational methods and one key benefit of ITTFA is that members can swop advice and ideas, discuss methods that are already up and running in other markets. Encouraging new and improved relationships in the international tourism trade fair industry is a key objective for the association which will further enable all of our members to obtain maximum benefit from opportunities worldwide”.
Akwaaba; African Travel Market, currently a member of ITTFA, and now in its 6th year and is the only international Travel Fair in West Africa, an area with a population of 270 million people and 15 countries. Over the last few years Aftm has become the most important travel marketing platform in the region drawing attendance from over 20 countries and is now a major fixture in the events calendar for Africa, listed by UNWTO as the only travel event in West Africa.
Mr Ikechi Uko, CEO of the organising company had this to say about the benefits of ITTFA. “Membership offers us an opportunity to network, learn and operate amongst shows of the highest standards. It offers us the opportunity to provide our audience with the combined experience of our peers in the association thus bringing to the shores of West Africa global best practices in the exhibition business. Membership of this well respected group will further position AfTM as an international event that takes place in Africa, integrating the African Travel practitioners into the global community.”
For more information on ITTFA Incubator and all our members, please visit www.ittfa.org or email us on secretariat@ittfa.org
