Booking levels at ITB Asia, the new B2B  tourism trade show in Singapore , are extremely high. More than eight months before the event is due to open 180 exhibitors have already registered to take part. ITB Asia will also be an information platform for the Asian travel industry.

One of the main reasons is a partnership with "Meeting Professionals International" for MICE trade fair and conference activities. From 24 to 25 October 2008 MPI will be holding its first conference in the Far East, in tandem with ITB Asia. Raimund Hosch, Chief Executive Officer of Messe Berlin, organisers of ITB Asia, made an announcement at a press conference in the German capital at the ITB Berlin, the world's largest travel show.

"ITB Asia is the only trade show that focuses on Asia as the source market of the future. Accordingly, demand by the travel industry is considerable. We will be catering for the entire range of tourism products and services. The exhibitors taking part are from over 30 countries. They include big airlines and major players from the hotel an internet sector," said Hosch. "We will also be offering buyers from Asia all the latest information in the MICE sector. MPI is the best partner for the MICE sector that ITB Asia could wish for, and we are very proud of this partnership.

 It will certainly offer substantial commercial value, provide all those taking part in ITB Asia with a great deal of information, and in particular will benefit those planning meetings who are simultaneously attending the MPI Asia conference and trade show."

As host of the first ITB in Asia, Singapore is delighted at the progress which the new trade show has made in such a short time. "We are heartened that 180 exhibitors have signed up to participate in the inaugural ITB Asia in Singapore. ITB Asia provides an excellent platform for global travel and tourism trade partners to gain deeper insights into Asian travel trends and network with new business partners from the Asia-Pacific region. We are confident that ITB Asia will grow in size and stature in the years to come, and this October look forward to welcoming visitors, delegates and exhibitors to Uniquely Singapore ," said Mr Aloysius Arlando, Assistant Chief Executive, Business Travel and MICE Group, Singapore Tourism Board.

ITB Asia will cater for the three major sectors of the travel industry - holiday travel, business travel, and the MICE sector. It will also be hosting its own Travel Technology pavilion. "WIT - Web in Travel" is organising this section and the Travel Technology conference alongside it from 21 to 22 October. Taking place for the fourth time, this event has made both an impact and proved very successful in Singapore, and offers trade visitors attending ITB Asia a comprehensive look at current trends in marketing, sales and technology in Asia.

ITB Asia will be taking place at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre from 22 to 24 October 2008. ITB Asia is an international platform which in particular addresses buyers and sellers from Asia, focuses on travel source markets in Asia, but equally does not neglect buyers from other important markets. Some 5,000 members of the industry and 500 exhibitors from 50 countries are expected to attend the premiere of ITB Asia.