As the travel industry continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, the ITB Asia Conference 2024, set to take place from October 23-25 in Singapore, is poised to be a leading platform shaping the future of global travel and tourism. Under the theme “Innovating for Tomorrow: Strengthening Future Resilience in Travel and Tourism,” this three-day event will bring together industry leaders, experts, and professionals to explore groundbreaking insights across three focused tracks: adapting to changing consumer expectations, improving operational efficiency, and creating more sustainable and immersive travel experiences.
The ITB Asia Conference is renowned for being the gathering place of tourism leaders who aim to take the pulse of the industry’s future. Joyce Wang, Executive Director of Messe Berlin Asia Pacific, the organizer of ITB Asia, MICE Show Asia, and Travel Tech Asia, highlighted the event’s significance: “ITB Asia is jam-packed and full of energy, celebrating the vibrant travel and tourism scene with its cultural and destination showcases, complemented by a seamless B2B business meetings scheduler. The most pressing topics critical to the future of MICE, corporate travel, leisure travel, and travel technology will be discussed by a line-up of high-calibre international speakers to strengthen the industry’s resilience and pave the way for the future.”
The conference will kick off on October 23 with an opening keynote by Liz Ortiguera, Managing Director Asia-Pacific and Senior Advisor to the CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Her speech, titled “Global Trends for Sustainable Travel and Tourism,” will provide attendees with a comprehensive economic outlook on the travel and tourism industry in the Asia-Pacific region. Ortiguera will also delve into the global and regional trends influencing the sector’s transition toward a more sustainable future, offering valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
For those interested in the transformative impact of technology in the travel industry, Kevin Goh, CEO of Lodging at CapitaLand Investment Limited and CEO of The Ascott Limited, will deliver a keynote titled “Navigating the Future of Travel: Embracing Technological Innovation.” Goh will discuss how technology acts as a catalyst for change, shaping the future of tourism by enhancing traveler experiences, improving operational efficiency, and driving sustainability. He will emphasize the importance of fostering a culture that embraces technological advancements and empowers the workforce to fully harness these innovations.
The Knowledge Theatre will feature leading C-suite executives and industry experts who will share their expertise on various critical topics. Ananth Ramchandran, Head of Advisory & Strategic Transactions, Hotels & Hospitality, Asia, CBRE, will offer strategies for delivering authentic travel experiences while prioritizing sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth in the session titled “Adapt and Pivot: Delivering Authentic Experiences While Prioritising Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Growth.”
In addition, the Knowledge Theatre will host a series of talks by national tourism organizations (NTOs) from around the world. These sessions, such as “NTOs’ Talks: Crafting Luxury Escapes – Strategies in Attracting Travellers to Luxury Destinations” and “NTOs’ Talks: Discovering the Hidden Treasures of the World,” will inspire attendees with innovative approaches to luxury travel marketing and unveil new perspectives on global travel, showcasing hidden gems, cultural wonders, and natural splendors.
Chew Hang Song, Deputy Chief Operating Officer of Frasers Hospitality, and Peter Koh, Regional Chair of the GBTA APAC Conference Working Group, will delve into the evolution of extended stay experiences in a fireside chat titled “Hospitality Reinvented: The Evolution of Extended Stay Experiences.”
MICE Show Asia: Focus on Corporate and MICE Travel
MICE Show Asia, the leading conference for MICE and corporate travel, will feature a rich agenda that addresses key topics such as sustainability in long-term event planning, the transformative impact of AI and digital innovation, and the integration of experiential elements in events.
Taylor Smith, VP and Executive Creative Director at BCD Meetings & Events, and Sanjay Seth, Managing Director of Asia Pacific at BCD Meetings & Events, will lead a session titled “Trends vs Reality: A Global Look at What’s Ahead in Our Industry with Content, Events, and Experiences,” covering trends such as storytelling, experiential immersion, AI, and sustainability. Qinxin Khoo, Head of Asia Pacific at Live Group, will discuss how data can enhance the attendee experience while ensuring that event objectives are met in the session “Data-Powered Personalisation: How to Enhance the Attendee Experience.” David Hughes, Managing Director of Asia Pacific at Uniglobe Travel International, will explore how generative AI, cloud-native micro-platforms, and Web 3.0 are revolutionizing travel management in the session “Building a Travel Programme Fit for the Future.”
Travel Tech Asia: The Future of Travel Technology
Travel Tech Asia, the premier travel technology conference, will shine a spotlight on key digital trends and their transformative impact on the future of tourism. The session “Beyond Conventional Transactions: Strategies for Unleashing the Full Potential of Mobile Payments,” led by Amy Read, Vice President of Innovation at Sabre Corporation, and Sean Seah, Senior Vice President Strategy, Technology and Innovation at Langham Hospitality Group, will explore the latest trends in payment innovation within the hospitality sector.
Attendees will also discover how superapps are redefining travel distribution in the session “Superapps: The Unstoppable Force Redefining Travel Distribution,” presented by Brett Henry, President Director of MG Group, and Kei Shibata, Co-Founder & CEO of Venture Republic & Trip 101. Sidne Yeo, Asia Head of Lufthansa Innovation Hub, and Anna Schneider, Senior Research and Intelligence Analyst at Lufthansa Innovation Hub, will provide insights into the emerging trends and key areas attracting corporate investments in the session “Digital Transformation in Travel: Navigating the New Ecosystem for Seamless Journeys.”
Strategic Partnerships for a Dynamic Event
This year’s conference features several new and long-standing strategic partners in the travel, tourism, and MICE sectors, including the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), Global Destination Sustainability – Movement, Global MICE Collaborative, STR, Tourism Economics, and World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF). These partnerships will facilitate knowledge exchange and ensure the delivery of cutting-edge data, trend analysis, and industry insights, benefiting attendees across all three conference stages.
The ITB Asia Conference 2024 is set to be a dynamic and influential event, providing industry leaders with the insights, tools, and connections needed to navigate the future of global travel and tourism. By focusing on innovation, sustainability, and technology, the conference will pave the way for a resilient and vibrant future in the travel industry.
