Post show research following last year’s Gulf Incentive, Business Meetings and Travel Exhibition, (GIBTM), confirmed that 46 percent of hosted buyers who attended GIBTM 2012 indicated that they were interested in placing business in Asia. As a result, GIBTM 2013 is to create a specialist exhibitor pavilion on the show floor, providing a dedicated area for exhibitors from the Asia Pacific region.
GIBTM 2013 will also launch the Market Focus on Asia Networking Event. The evening will allow exhibitors who are showcasing destinations in Asia to network with hosted buyers from the Middle East and globally who have expressed an interest in placing business in Asia.
“The incorporation of the Asia Pavilion and networking event into GIBTM is a logical extension to the current show profile and as the outbound business to the region continues to grow – Qatar and Etihad Airlines now also offer airline routes in and out of Asia, delivering a direct link between the MENA region and China, Malaysia and Thailand,” said Lois Hall, exhibition manager, GIBTM. “Things are also looking very positive for next year with 65 percent of MENA buyers from our survey reporting an increase in events placed over the next 12 months with Thailand, Malaysia, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Japan being specified as top destinations to place future business.”
The new Asia pavilion will provide a meeting area for exhibitors to showcase their products to regional and international visitors as well as hosted buyers. GIBTM 2012 saw a rise in high-quality senior buyers especially from the Middle East and Asia, as well as a 100 percent increase in buyers from Saudi Arabia compared to 2011.
“It has been a very productive show,” said Martin Kim, deputy chief, Seoul Convention Bureau . “We first exhibited in 2009 to learn about the market, and the response was incredible – we had more than 60 meetings. We have a lot of business with UAE and Saudi Arabia and see great potential in the Middle East and therefore decided to become a part of GIBTM this year.”
Further supporting this demand, the IBTM Global Research, which is conducted throughout the year, has also confirmed that Asia is one of the top three preferred destinations for GMENA buyers to place business.
GIBTM 2013 will be held from March 25 – 27 in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
