Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - (Page 30)

DESTINATIONS PACIFIC/ASIA Report From ITB ASIA The first-ever ITB Asia, held in Singapore, was a success, with more than 5,000 attendees AS THE FIRST-EVER ITB ASIA WOUND DOWN IN SINGAPORE LAST MONTH, Singaporean tourism players and various organizers from Messe Berlin sounded off on the success of the event and gave a look ahead to what Asia tourism will face in an uncertain economic climate. By all accounts, ITB Asia was a success. The show’s aim was to showcase global travel products to Asian buyers. Much of the focus was on Singapore and, to a lesser extent, Malaysia. It attracted 651 exhibitors from 58 countries and territories and attracted more than 5,000 attendees. Of this number, 800 were confirmed buyers. ITB Asia was organized by Messe Berlin (Singapore) with support from the Singapore Tourism Board. “The event was three years in the making,” says Raimund Hosch, CEO of Messe Berlin. “Our goal is to create an international show on the same scale as ITB in Berlin, which had its inaugural [show] 42 years ago, with 12 exhibitors from seven countries.” The impetus for creating ITB Asia was the realization that most of the buyers at ITB Berlin were from Europe. Easy air access and visa regulations made Singapore an attractive choice and Messe Berlin has a three-year contract to hold successive ITB Asia events in Singapore. “There are no plans to move the event to another city when the contract expires,” says Hosch. While Singapore is coming off a high after hosting the first Formula 1 night race last September, the country saw some softening in inbound travel from June onward, and August posted figures of -7 percent. “Obviously the situation is not good,” says Lim Neo Chian, deputy chairman and chief executive, Singapore Tourism Board. “Source markets are facing uncertain times, and other countries in the region such as Hong Kong and Thailand are facing similar difficulties.” Lim 30 | TravelAgent November 24, 2008 compares the current crisis to past setbacks, such as 9/11 and the 2004 tsunami. “We’ve seen the troughs and shallows and found these to be temporary,” he says. “We recover quickly.” Lim observes that a turnaround depends on how protracted and deep the economic difficulties are. “We don’t know how deep it will be,” he says. “This year will certainly be affected, and 2009 will probably be affected. By 2010, there will be a lift. The lift may not be as strong as in good times. We’ll see a spark, but how bright that spark will be remains to be seen.” Lim notes that Singapore’s meetings sector is very resilient, although he predicts that leisure, being discretionary, will be hit harder. “As far as business travel, you have to position yourself for the upturn,” he says. “You need to keep in touch with markets. Business travelers will still find it necessary to travel.” Malaysia Sets Sights on Niche Marketing During ITB Asia, Tourism Malaysia laid out its marketing plans for the upcoming year. “We’ll be focusing on niche products, including MICE, medical tourism, ecotourism and homestay,” says Chong Yoke Har, director for the international marketing division for Southeast Asia, North Asia & East Asia, Tourism Malaysia. “By selling these niche products, we’re building on our strengths.” Look for Malaysia to also highlight the cities of Malacca and Penang—both received UNESCO World Heritage status this year. Malaysia will also turn the heat up under its dualdestination packages, especially those that include Singapore. “We’re working with other airlines besides Malaysia Airlines, such as Singapore Airlines,” says Chong Yoke Har. “This provides us with even greater air access for our visitors.” Chong Yoke Har acknowledges that 2008 has been a challenging year. The country saw solid growth of 4.4 percent through August, and then it hit the skids, with September showing a dip of 0.1 percent. While growth from the U.S. was an impressive 17.8 percent, the U.S. is not even in the top 10 of generating markets for Malaysia. Malaysia is focusing its marketing in Europe

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - November 24, 2008

Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 Reality Check On the Web Contents Advertising Index Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Europe Pacific/Asia Las Vegas Mexico Caribbean Cruises Cover Story: 30 Under 30 Leaders in Luxury Hotels Agenda Luxury Travel Expo Hurricane Temporarily Shutters Nevis Four Seasons Agents, Cruise Lines Adapt to Economy A New Link to Adventure Travel In the Spotlight Editorial Index Advertising Index

Travel Agent - November 24, 2008

Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - (Page CW1) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - (Page CW2) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 (Page Cover1) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 (Page Cover2) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 (Page 1) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 (Page 2) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 (Page 3) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Reality Check (Page 4) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Reality Check (Page 5) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - On the Web (Page 6) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - On the Web (Page 7) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Contents (Page 8) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Advertising Index (Page 9) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Advertising Index (Page 10) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Advertising Index (Page 11) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Contributors (Page 12) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Contributors (Page 13) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 14) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 15) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - From the Publisher (Page 16) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - From the Publisher (Page 17) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - From the Publisher (Page 18) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - From the Publisher (Page 19) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - From the Publisher (Page 20) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - From the Publisher (Page 21) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - From the Publisher (Page 22) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - From the Publisher (Page 23) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Europe (Page 24) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Europe (Page 25) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Europe (Page 26) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Europe (Page 27) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Europe (Page 28) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Europe (Page 29) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 30) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 31) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 32) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 33) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 34) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 35) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 36) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 37) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Mexico (Page 38) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Mexico (Page 39) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Mexico (Page 40) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Mexico (Page 41) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Mexico (Page 42) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Caribbean (Page 43) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Caribbean (Page 44) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Caribbean (Page 45) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Caribbean (Page 46) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Caribbean (Page 47) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Cruises (Page 48) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Cruises (Page 49) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Cruises (Page 50) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Cruises (Page 51) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Cruises (Page 52) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Cruises (Page 53) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Cover Story: 30 Under 30 (Page 54) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Cover Story: 30 Under 30 (Page 55) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Cover Story: 30 Under 30 (Page 56) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Cover Story: 30 Under 30 (Page 57) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Cover Story: 30 Under 30 (Page 58) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Cover Story: 30 Under 30 (Page 59) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Cover Story: 30 Under 30 (Page 60) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Cover Story: 30 Under 30 (Page 61) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Cover Story: 30 Under 30 (Page 62) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Cover Story: 30 Under 30 (Page 63) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Cover Story: 30 Under 30 (Page 64) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Cover Story: 30 Under 30 (Page 65) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Cover Story: 30 Under 30 (Page 66) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Cover Story: 30 Under 30 (Page 67) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Leaders in Luxury (Page 68) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Leaders in Luxury (Page 69) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Leaders in Luxury (Page 70) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Leaders in Luxury (Page 71) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Leaders in Luxury (Page 72) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Leaders in Luxury (Page 73) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Leaders in Luxury (Page 74) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Leaders in Luxury (Page 75) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Leaders in Luxury (Page 76) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Leaders in Luxury (Page 77) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Hotels (Page 78) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Hotels (Page 79) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Hotels (Page 80) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Hotels (Page 81) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Hotels (Page 82) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Hotels (Page 83) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Agenda (Page 84) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Agenda (Page 85) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Luxury Travel Expo (Page 86) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Luxury Travel Expo (Page 87) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Hurricane Temporarily Shutters Nevis Four Seasons (Page 88) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Hurricane Temporarily Shutters Nevis Four Seasons (Page 89) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Agents, Cruise Lines Adapt to Economy (Page 90) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Agents, Cruise Lines Adapt to Economy (Page 91) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - A New Link to Adventure Travel (Page 92) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - A New Link to Adventure Travel (Page 93) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - In the Spotlight (Page 94) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - In the Spotlight (Page 95) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Editorial Index (Page 96) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Editorial Index (Page 97) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Advertising Index (Page 98) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Advertising Index (Page CW3) Travel Agent - November 24, 2008 - Advertising Index (Page CW4) 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