ILTM Asia Pacific celebrated its most prolific event since 2019 this week in Singapore, welcoming 500 luxury travel suppliers from across the world to meet with 500 accredited regional agents representing their high-net worth clients across 25 countries in the region, including Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Over 28,000 business generating appointments took place and a spirit of true optimism emanated throughout the week.
ILTM Portfolio Director Alison Gilmore commented on the success of the event: “At each ILTM event, we bring together our community to not only build connections but celebrate our continually renewing luxury travel industry. Business went on day and night throughout the week as travel suppliers and buyers forged new relationships, both inside and outside the ILTM Asia Pacific official venue – Marina Bay Sands – in Singapore.”
Over 50 influential media from across the region and indeed the world were also in attendance and many of these editors, along with the buyers and exhibitors in attendance commented on the energy and vitality of the event.
Edita Teper of Space Perspective commented: “We have met with incredibly engaged and high-end agents whose clients are seeking transformational experiences which Space Perspective certainly provides. Following this first ILTM Asia Pacific experience, we know we will be confirming quite a few journeys to travel to the edge of space, not to mention great awareness for our brand.”
Tony Archbold of Crystal Cruises said: “ILTM Asia Pacific is the best opportunity to meet the widest and best qualified agents who will take Crystal to the regional marketplace. The level of enthusiasm and interest has been incredible. Crystal’s heritage is Asian, so this is the perfect forum for us.”
Rick Stiffler of Preferred Hotels added: “This is such a great market for Preferred. And ILTM is the ideal platform for us to be able to meet with such a great concentration of excellent agents from the region. All in all, a fantastic opportunity for our brand and our hotels.”
Ollie Palmer of Standard Hotels commented: “With imminent openings in Melbourne and Singapore, we are focussed on building awareness across Asia and particularly Australia. As well as reconnecting with so many great agents at ILTM Asia Pacific, we have also met almost 70% new contacts – it’s exciting to share in the new business opportunities presented by the continuing growth of this ILTM event.”
Greta Defoe of the Town Hall Hotel in London said: “This is my first ILTM Asia Pacific and I’ve had plenty of very positive enquiries and even a few bookings before the end of the first day! It’s wonderful to meet so many proactive and productive agents here at ILTM in Singapore.”
Henny Fraser of ANI Private Resorts said:” This has been a remarkable week at our first ILTM Asia Pacific, and from the conversations in the early morning to the networking evenings, it is clear that the travel agents curated for us here are hungry for knowledge and discovery. It’s the perfect platform for us to reach so many relevant new curators of high end travel.”
The agents from across the region too were equally delighted to travel the world in the four days of the show and meet in person with so many luxury suppliers. Kunan Jain of Spectrum Holidays in India said: “ILTM Asia Pacific has really helped us rebuild connections. It’s a win-win situation for everyone here – business is booming like never before and I’ve even closed several big deals here which would not have happened without an in-person, dynamic show such as this.”
Hannah Bennett from Savenio in Australia added: “This is my first ILTM and I can’t get over how invigorating and inspirational it is. The success comes from the exhibitors that ILTM curates on our behalf, it’s so calm and well planned. Destinations such as Spain, Portugal and the Maldives are of particular interest for my clients and the cruise suppliers here are amazing.”
Helen Zhang of Farers in China said: “My clients are now looking to travel far and wide. The cruise companies here have opened my eyes to some really exciting new options.”
World Travel Designer Tanaporn Hongsuchon, based in Bangkok commented: “The connections with all the industry here are amazing – not just great and very varied global suppliers, but really interesting media, as well as other luxury travel agents. I have learned a great deal and have so much to discuss with my clients when I return.”
“The size of the show means we have met many great DMCs and hotel partners. After last year’s event, we were able to confirm some great experiences with exhibitors we had met at the show and are looking forward to placing even more business after this week,” added Huiting Lim of Uniqluxe in Singapore.
In partnership with research experts Altiant, ILTM also released a global industry report entitled ‘BUZZ vs. REALITY – Decoding the luxury travel consumer mindset: Spotl1ght on China’. Commenting on this research, Ms Gilmore concluded:
“This is the third edition of our ongoing research and we felt that the time was right to look to outbound luxury travel from China. After the pandemic, affluent Chinese are putting a renewed focus on seizing the day and enjoying their money. Like the rest of the world’s travellers, they have also put a renewed focus on extended family holidays as well as the need for healthy lifestyles, with both mental and physical wellness holidays set to rise further in popularity. Visiting new and unique experiences in previously unexplored destinations is also high on priority lists.”
ILTM Asia Pacific in 2024 takes place 1 – 4 July.
