UITT, Ukraine’s largest exhibition for the travel industry, opens on 23 March in the IEC in Kiev. The event has become a regular meeting place for the industry and an opportunity for destinations to showcase the best their country has to offer to an increasing number of Ukrainian travellers, as well as tour operators and travel agents.
Statistics:
| Edition: 17 Organiser: ITE Group Plc Frequency: Annual |
Space: 10,490 m²* Exhibitors: 648* Countries and regions: 51* Attendance: 17,318* *Figures from 2010 |
UITT is a natural follow-up for MITT, comprising similar consumer spending power and expectations but still a stage behind Russia in terms of its tourism development, making it an ideal investment opportunity. Ukraine’s tourism industry is expected to develop substantially once the country returns to growth. According to Mykola Azarov, Ukraine’s Prime Minister, the economy will grow by 5% in 2010 and between 5% and 10% in 2011. With this in mind, many international companies and destinations are investing now for the future.
UITT is Ukraine’s leading travel and tourism exhibition. Last year saw a significant increase in visitors as consumer interest in overseas travel grows – visitor figures were up 9% compared with 2009.
This year, the range of tourism products at the exhibition will be greater than in previous years, with new sectors focusing on promising areas such as medical tourism, cruise lines, domestic tourism, information technologies in the tourism industry, insurance, etc. As in the past, Crimea and the Carpathians will be widely presented. Abu Dhabi, Azerbaijan, South Africa, Morocco, Mauritius and Reunion, which presented their products to the Ukrainian market for the first time at UITT 2010, are planning further development in the Ukrainian market, increasing the quantity and quality of their offerings. Israel has doubled the size of their stand at the show, to 200 m² – Ukraine is the eighth largest source country for tourists to Israel, with 90,500 Ukrainians visiting in 2010 and a predicted 130,000 in 2011, following the cancellation of visas in 2010.
For the first time, UITT will feature the Tanzania National Tourism Board, the Jurmala Regional Tourism Board (from Latvia) and the Sri Lanka National Tourism Board, who exhibits together with Ukraine International Airlines, which began offering flights from Kiev to Colombo in December 2010.
For the first time, Canada (Dubman Tours) Portugal (Lendatravel), UK (BSI) and US (Team America, American Best Getaways and New Tours) will be represented at the show. Natalie Tours, one of the largest tour operators in the CIS, will be participating for the first time. There will also be companies from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Dominican Rep, Egypt, Greece, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Slovak Rep, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand and Tunisia.
Every year, a number of events take place during UITT. This year, they include:
- Day of Spain, organised by Natalie Tours and Turespana on 24 March.
- Discover Ukraine, a new sector at the exhibition focusing on domestic tourism programmes.
- Seminar on receiving tourists during Euro 2012, organised by the Kyiv City State Administration.
- An international conference entitled ‘Spa in Ukraine ‘11’, organised jointly with the Ukrainian Spa Association on 23 March.
- The 5th edition of the international business forum ‘Small Hotels & Apartments of Ukraine’, organised with the Association of Small Hotels & Apartments of Ukraine on 25 March.
- The 6th edition of the MICE Ukraine international conference entitled ‘Business Tourism – Ukraine’, which will give delegates an insight into the industry, its audience, trends and prospects. It will also give participants a valuable opportunity to network with their peers.
- A section of the show will be dedicated to the growing market for medical tourism.
Maria Badakh, Head of Sales for ITE Travel Exhibitions, said: “This year’s UITT exhibition will feature a wide range of destinations to tempt Ukraine’s increasing population of travellers. As the markets recover, there are huge opportunities to gain market share in a country known to offer an excellent return on investment. The exhibition is the best place to find out more and meet partners to help realise that potential. See you in Kiev!”
UITT’s official partners are: The Ministry of Culture & Tourism of Ukraine, Kyiv City State Administration, UNWTO, PATA, ITTFA and CECTA. It is also an ‘UFI Approved’ event (UFI is the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry). The general media partner for the event is Interfax Ukraine.
Information and quotes from this year’s exhibitors:
Dody Prianto, Indonesia Ministry of Culture and Tourism: “We are from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia, a non-profit organisation. We are promoting Indonesia as a tropical country, rich in culture and diversity, the biggest archipelago in the world, with a lot of marine tourism potential, hospitable people, beautiful landscapes and the best resorts and spas that suit Ukrainian tourists.” More…
Cindy, Ada Tours Your Latin America Incoming Operator: “The Ukrainian market is important for our company – it makes up to 20-30% of our arrivals. Our main services are organised tours to Latin America, mainly Brazil. Our highlights at the exhibition will be some new programmes.” More…
Nicola Baccini, Director of Elite, Teamamerica, Inc.: “This is the first time that Teamamerica is attending UITT. We are growing a lot in Russia in the CIS countries and we would like to explore the Ukrainian market. We sell hotels. We offer products and services throughout USA and Canada, and we specialise in EILTE 9VIP) fit groups.” More…
Ammar Asad, Liberty Tourism: “This is our first time exhibiting at UITT. We are seeking to expand our business, through cooperation with the Ukrainian market. It is a very important market and a new market for liberty tours and we will be offering all new services.” More…
Gennady Tomilin, Tourism Authority of Thailand: “This is our 15th time at UITT. UITT is Ukraine’s Number 1 travel exhibition and participation in UITT complies with TAT’s strategic plan on maintaining the leisure market in Ukraine. We plan to present the new leisure destinations in Thailand: Ko Chang, North-Eastern Thailand, the beaches of Rayong and Phang-Nga provinces. We will also present special programmes for medical tourism, spa, sports fun (including golf, yachting, trekking and cycling).” More…
Olessia Nikitina, WildTrek Safaris: “WildTrek Safaris is a Kenyan tour operating company focusing in organising safaris and beach holidays in Africa. We have a fleet of safari cars and skilled drivers/safari rangers working for us. This year, we are going to present our new catalogue on Africa and our new product: tours to Australia and Latin America.” More…
Sebele Mokoka, 1st Secretary, South African Embassy, Kyiv, Ukraine: “The Embassy will be sharing its stand with 4 South African tourist/travel agencies. We hope our marketing strategies and the collaboration with South African travel agencies will result in growing interest in the diverse touristic experience that South Africa has to offer, eg. Wild Life Safari, Cape Town and its Table Mountain and its rich heritage and cultural experiences.” More…
Alexandra Streltsova, Vice Director of the Dominican Republic Tourism Board: “We will be presenting mostly our destination in general. This market is still young and our destination is positioned currently as a beach destination but we hope in future to develop different niches: cultural tourism, diving, golf, extreme sports, luxury tourism and ecotourism.” More…
Liudmila Aplevich, Representative Office of the Ministry of Tourism of Cuba in Russia: “UITT is the leading tourism fair in Ukraine. At the exhibition, we’ll be presenting Cuban sun & beach, and Cuban history, culture, nature, towns, diving, etc.” More…
Ing. Adriana Behúňová, Events Department Manager of the Slovak Tourist Board: “The Slovak Tourist Board is promoting Slovakia as a winter and summer holiday destination and especially as the host country of the upcoming Ice Hockey World Championships. Slovakia, as a relatively small country, has a lot to offer visitors, such as beautiful countryside, nature and mountains, lakes, culture, history etc. There is something for everyone.” More…
