Northstar

1 INSIDE DAY Making a Difference www.travelweekly-asia.com 17 Oc tober 2018 PUBLISHED BY NORTHSTAR TRAVEL MEDIA SINGAPORE PTE LTD ISSN 2382-6061 MCI (P) 005/07/2018 PPS 1849/09/2014 (025581) I T B A S I A S H O W D A I L I E S A variety of rich content formats sets the scene for this year's ITB Asia, creating dynamic spaces for connecting and creating value. Powered up to engage T he exhibition format goes into steroid mode at this year's ITB Asia. Beyond the exhibitor booths that dominate the sprawling show floors, the agenda of buying and selling has spun off the equally important need to 'show and tell' as well as 'learn and transform' at an event. ITB Asia walks the talk with rich conference content spread across six stages and huge highlights such as the new MICE and Corporate Hub with a speed networking format; a MICE tech showcase; and a Muslim Travel Pavilion. While continuing to focus on its size and the quality of its buyers' programme, ITB Asia has also zoomed in on key areas of interest that are trending for specific markets and improved on those event formats. From the exhibition show floor and the knowledge sessions to the special interest pavilions and tech showcases, attendees are engaged on various levels and in different settings to achieve different goals. Katrina Leung, managing director, Messe Berlin (Singapore) stressed that ITB Asia is a hybrid show for the MICE, corporate and leisure segments, and the show prioritises this proposition to its attendees. By Esther Faith Lew CONTINUED ON PAGE 4. WIT: THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS A re we ready to face a world that is changing fast? That was the question posed to attendees at the opening keynote of the Web in Travel (WiT) Conference 2018. With the theme "Through the Looking Glass", the 14th edition of the conference opened with an uplifting electro-rock number performed by Wendi Koh and colourful geometric backdrops. BROOKE THIO Hot in Abu Dhabi: UAE's capital serves up family- friendly activities and world-class events Soulful Singapore: The city-state's subcultures take centre stage Beep, beep: Avis launches new booking platform for travel trade professionals Fixing overtourism: WTTC chief talks measures that work Katrina Leung, managing director, Messe Berlin (Singapore) Yeoh Siew Hoon with Robert Rosenstein from Agoda CONTINUED ON PAGE 4. "At this moment in travel history, traditional things are waking up to the notion that they have to disrupt themselves before they get disrupted," urged WiT founder Yeoh Siew Hoon. "As a new wave of consumers come online…we have to get really serious about globalisation, or deeper localisation, or go home."

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