The Beijing International Travel and Tourism Market

This year’s Beijing International Travel and Tourism Market (BITTM) is scheduled to take place at the NAEC, the fourth largest exhibition center in Beijing, from April 20-23, 2005.

Being that the BITTM is China’s only outbound tourism exhibition; every exhibitor is guaranteed to meet Chinese outbound tour operators and travel agents eager to bring thousands of Chinese travelers to their countries and properties.

The BITTM is strictly business to business with a projected attendance of nearly 20,000 Chinese travel and tourism professionals. Leading Chinese tour operators and travel agents, such as China International Travel Service (CITS) – the largest operator on the Chinese market, as well as thousands of others have expressed their support for the BITTM.

The Chamber of Tourism (COT), a nationwide organisation initiated and formed by the private tourist sector of China (PRC), is also on board.

The exhibition has also so far generated the support of 20 governors (out of the 34 regions of China) who have all agreed to bring their regional travel and tourism professionals.

Market reports reveal that Chinese outbound tourism in 2003 generated over 23 million departures with over US$16 billion in overseas expenditure. With over 80 foreign destinations receiving Approved Destination Status (ADS) from the Chinese government this year, thousands of Chinese travelers have flown on tourist visas for the first time. The China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) reports that early 16 millions Chinese have traveled abroad in the first half of 2004 alone, and the numbers are projected to increase.

Further, Asian destinations (traditional countries of choice for Chinese travellers) will now have to compete with lesser known destinations such Europe, which saw 10,000 Beijing residents traveling to EU countries in the first week of October in observance of Chinese National holiday week.

BITTM exhibitors will have an unlimited access to the BITTM buyers’ database, which holds information on over 10,000 Chinese licensed tour operators and travel agents, including the 1500 top outbound operators.

For further information on participation contact:

James Stern at email: James.stern@risingstargroup.com

Stanislav Stoilov at email: stan@risingstarexhibitions.com

Or call: +44 (0) 207 581 3924