ILTM Asia Pacific, the leading luxury travel event in the region, marked a resounding triumph this week as it brought together 500 luxury travel suppliers and 500 accredited regional agents representing high-net-worth clients from 25 countries. This remarkable four-day event, hosted at the prestigious Marina Bay Sands, witnessed over 28,000 business-generating appointments and set the stage for unparalleled networking opportunities.

Alison Gilmore, the esteemed ILTM Portfolio Director, expressed her delight with the event’s achievements, stating, “At each ILTM event, we not only foster connections but also celebrate the continuous renewal of the luxury travel industry. Throughout the week, business thrived day and night, as travel suppliers and buyers forged new relationships within and beyond the confines of the official venue.”

ILTM APAC 2023

The event attracted over 50 influential media figures worldwide, captivated by the energy and vitality that permeated the event. Notable attendees such as Edita Teper of Space Perspective, Tony Archbold of Crystal Cruises, Rick Stiffler of Preferred Hotels, Ollie Palmer of Standard Hotels, Greta Defoe of the Town Hall Hotel, and Henny Fraser of ANI Private Resorts, all praised the event and shared their positive experiences.

Edita Teper, representing Space Perspective, enthused, “We have engaged with incredibly enthusiastic and high-end agents whose clients are seeking transformative experiences, which Space Perspective undoubtedly provides. Following our first ILTM Asia Pacific experience, we anticipate confirming numerous journeys to the edge of space, while greatly increasing awareness of our brand.”

Representing Crystal Cruises, Tony Archbold emphasized, “ILTM Asia Pacific provides the best opportunity to meet the widest and most qualified agents who can introduce Crystal Cruises to the regional marketplace. The level of enthusiasm and interest has been incredible. As Crystal Cruises has its roots in Asia, this event is the perfect platform for us.”

ILTM APAC 2023 Opening Forum Party

From Preferred Hotels, Rick Stiffler added, “This market is ideal for Preferred. ILTM offers a unique platform for us to meet a concentration of excellent agents from the region. Overall, it presents a fantastic opportunity for our brand and hotels.”

Ollie Palmer of Standard Hotels highlighted their focus on building awareness in Asia and Australia, stating, “With upcoming openings in Melbourne and Singapore, we are dedicated to increasing our presence across Asia. At ILTM Asia Pacific, we not only reconnected with many great agents but also forged connections with nearly 70% new contacts. It’s exhilarating to embrace the new business opportunities facilitated by the continued growth of this event.”

The sentiment was echoed by Greta Defoe of the Town Hall Hotel, who expressed her satisfaction, “This is my first ILTM Asia Pacific, and I’ve received numerous positive inquiries and even secured a few bookings by the end of the first day! It’s wonderful to meet proactive and productive agents here in Singapore.”

Henny Fraser of ANI Private Resorts described the week as remarkable, emphasizing the hunger for knowledge and discovery among the travel agents in attendance. Fraser stated, “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 attending agents from across the region were equally thrilled with the opportunities presented by the event. Kunan Jain of Spectrum Holidays in India expressed his satisfaction: “ILTM Asia Pacific has truly helped us rebuild connections. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved. Business is booming like never before, and I’ve closed several significant deals that would not have happened without this dynamic, in-person show.”

ILTM APAC 2023

Hannah Bennett from Savenio in Australia also shared her excitement, “This is my first ILTM, and I am invigorated and inspired by the event. The success lies in the exhibitors curated by ILTM on our behalf. The calm and well-planned environment facilitates meaningful connections. Destinations such as Spain, Portugal, and the Maldives hold particular interest for my clients, and the cruise suppliers here are amazing.”

Helen Zhang of Farers in China revealed, “My clients are now seeking to travel far and wide. The cruise companies at ILTM Asia Pacific have introduced me to some truly exciting new options.”

Tanaporn Hongsuchon, a World Travel Designer based in Bangkok, praised the connections formed at the event, saying, “The connections with all the industry professionals here are amazing. Not only do we encounter excellent and diverse global suppliers, but also interesting media representatives and other luxury travel agents. I have gained invaluable knowledge and have much to discuss with my clients upon my return.”

The positive outcomes of ILTM Asia Pacific were not limited to the suppliers and agents. Exhibitors, such as Huiting Lim of Uniqluxe in Singapore, also recognized the immense value of the event. Lim shared, “The size of the show allowed us to meet numerous outstanding DMCs and hotel partners. Following last year’s event, we were able to arrange remarkable experiences with the exhibitors we met. We eagerly look forward to further expanding our business after this week.”

Additionally, ILTM, in partnership with research experts Altiant, released a global industry report titled ‘BUZZ vs. REALITY – Decoding the luxury travel consumer mindset: Spotl1ght on China.’ The report focuses on outbound luxury travel from China, highlighting the post-pandemic shift towards seizing the day and prioritizing extended family holidays and mental and physical wellness vacations. Exploring new and unique destinations also ranks high on affluent Chinese travellers’ lists.

ILTM Asia Pacific 2024 is scheduled from July 1 to July 4. Furthermore, other upcoming ILTM events this year include ILTM North America in The Bahamas from September 18 to 21 and ILTM Cannes from December 4 to 7.

For further information, please visit the official ILTM website: www.iltm.com/asiapacific.

Written by: Christine Nguyen

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