The first editions of World Travel Market’s new ‘pod’ shows – WTM Connect Asia and WTM Connect China, will take place back to back in May this year focusing on the booming South East Asian and Chinese leisure tourism markets.
Both events bring together carefully selected South East Asian, international and outbound Chinese Hosted Buyers to meet with suppliers of international travel product for 2.5 days of pre-scheduled business appointments, inspiring education content, networking functions and cultural evening events.
WTM Connect Asia will see the likes of Visit Berlin, Malaysia Tourism Promotions Board, Prodo Travel, Philippines Tourism Promotions Board, Jordan Tourism Board, Penang Tourism, Europcar International, Ministry of Tourism Indonesia and many more gather in Penang, Malaysia from 18-20 May 2016.
Confirmed exhibitors attending WTM Connect China taking place in Sanya, Hainan Island, China from 23-25 May 2016, include Marriott Vacation Club International, Eskimos Iceland, Cox & Kings, Nepal, Westfield, Poseidon Expeditions, Uniline d.o.o, Jac Travel and Lernidee Trains & Cruises. Some suppliers such as Penang Tourism, Visit Berlin and Marriott Vacation Club are attending both Connect events making the most of the shows being a couple of days apart leading to more business deals.
Tiara Firsalina Surya, Director of South East Asia Tourism Promotion, Ministry of Tourism of The Republic of Indonesia says: “Ministry of Tourism of The Republic of Indonesia is delighted to participate in the very first WTM Connect Asia 2016. We believe this event will be our new B2B platform based on the success of WTM London for the last several years. Ministry of Tourism of The Republic of Indonesia together with 5 tourism industries will promote Indonesia tourism to international buyers during the event”.
James Sy, Marketing and Promotions, Philippines Tourism Promotions Board adds: “The Philippines would like to utilise the full potential of WTM Connect Asia as the world’s leading B2B travel exhibitions’ organiser and as a platform to launch our Visit the Philippines Again (VPA) 2016 branding. In addition, WTM Connect Asia will serve as a prime tool for the WTM buyers and the Philippines exhibitors to connect and network”.
Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Tourism Malaysia and State Tourism of Penang are all supporting the launch of WTM Connect Asia in their home country. And WTM Connect China is officially supported by Sanya Tourism.
