ITB Asia goes bolder, focuses on new ideas

October 2019 6142

A STELLAR line up of industry giants will headline ITB Asia 2019 keynote sessions, discussing the industry’s biggest pain points,
actions to adapt to evolving industry, and maximising opportunities from the new Chinese traveller

ITB Asia, ‘Asia’s Leading Travel Trade Show’ is set to deliver a series of keynote presentations in Singapore over October 16 to 18, in line with 2019’s conference theme, ‘Bold Thoughts, Bold Moves.’ The keynote sessions will focus on sharing innovative ideas, where attendees can expect to gain knowledge on practical applications to keep pace with industry changes.

Recognising the revolutionary impact of technology on the travel industry, speakers from leading online travel agencies (OTA), travel-related partners and technology companies will share their perspectives on how businesses can innovate and leverage on technology as they tackle the challenges of this era. Prominent keynoters include senior representatives from the likes of Bedbank, Hotelbeds Group, Booking.com, Expedia, IBM, KAYAK, OYO Hotels & Homes, TripAdvisor, Tujia and more.

“By bringing together leading industry experts in the keynote sessions, ITB Asia will get to the heart of today’s complex travel issues. We will discuss major game-changing issues within the industry and strategies on innovating business models in order to remain competitive. As the industry continues to evolve, attendees want to gain more than just insights of what leading businesses do to remain at the top. Through our sessions, they will be equipped with actionable steps on how to drive their business forward,” said Katrina Leung, managing director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), the organiser of ITB Asia.

“Technology plays a critical role in every phase of a personalised traveller journey, helping to deliver a seamless, connected trip by enabling calisation and consumer insights"
– Angel Llull Mancas

The first keynote session on October 16 brings together experts from Bedbank, Hotelbeds Group, Booking.com and IBM. They represent three of the biggest pillars in the travel industry – accommodation, distribution and technology. Addressing the industry’s common challenges, topics will include how businesses can ready themselves for the next wave of growth; rethinking and reinventing distribution strategies; and how the travel industry can capitalise on the digital revolution to succeed.

“Technology plays a critical role at every phase of a personalised traveller journey, helping to deliver a seamless, connected trip by enabling localisation and consumer insights," said Angel Llull Mancas, vice-president and managing director for Asia-Pacific for Booking.com. "Constant innovation in how we optimise the customer experience will be key to continued growth and expansion in the highly competitive and diverse Asian Market."

ITB Asia 2019’s keynote panel on October 17, ‘The Future of Travel Distribution,’ will identify business solutions for challenges faced by the sector during a time of uncertainty. The discussion will be led by senior executives from Agoda, Expedia Group, Hotelbeds, KAYAK, and TripAdvisor. They will answer the big “where to next?” question, as they explore the rapidly changing travel industry, new technological advancements, and implement diverse distribution strategies to improve the consumer experience.

“People make up to 50 searches before deciding on a flight and shopping around for value is the norm for many global leisure and business travellers. Making it simpler to compare fares, understand inclusions, recognise value adds while also delivering unique ways to save remains core to our technology development. As an industry we’re working towards a more personalised experience for travellers, and a more integrated and seamless supply distribution relationship ahead,” said Demi Kavaratzis, partner marketing director, Commercial Strategy and Services, Expedia Group.

In addition to the discussions of the travel industry’s three pillars, ITB Asia 2019 will also feature a keynote panel on October 18 focused on the new Chinese traveller, of which their overseas consumption is predicted to grow as large as $120 billion as preferences evolve.

Titled, ‘The New Chinese Travellers,’ industry leaders will examine the growing significance of this market. Amongst notable industry experts are Booking.com, OYO Hotels & Homes, Thomas Cook China and Tujia, who will analyse the preference shift in the range of destinations, products and brands of interest, as well as maximising opportunities from this market.

Aside from the keynote sessions, ITB Asia 2019’s conference will also deliver a series of themed sessions, including corporate travel, destination marketing, Muslim travel and travel technology. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience over 200 sessions led by more than 260 speakers.

Alongside this event, ITB Asia 2019 will share the Sands Expo and Convention Centre at the Marina Bay Sands with its inaugural co-event, MICE Show Asia. At MICE Show Asia, attendees will get to hear about forecasts for the global meeting and events industries in 2020, and how the industry is transforming.

MICE SHOW ASIA 2019

MICE Show Asia 2019 will take place at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore from October 16 to 18 this year. MICE Show Asia is where the incentive travel, meetings and events industries come together to connect and build the future of MICE. The annual three-day business-to-business trade show and convention will feature industry suppliers, meetings and events professionals to up-and-coming MICE innovators from a wide range of disciplines, sectors and all levels of seniority. The show is co-located with ITB Asia 2019, now in its twelfth year. Last year’s edition saw huge success with over 1,000 exhibitors, over 1,000 quality buyers, more than 7,000 minutes of conference, more than 11,000 attendees and more than 25,000 business appointments. It is organised by Messe Berlin (Singapore) Pte Ltd and supported by the Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau.