Following its successful performance at the earlier Guangzhou International Travel Expo, the 2014 Guangzhou International Travel Fair (abbreviated as: GITF) will lead the latest trends in tourism for South China and the entire nation with even more optimized professional standards. The previous edition attracted 700 tourism organizations and enterprises from 39 countries and regions, covering an exhibition area of 22,000 square meters, with an international presence of 58%, 680 invited buyers, and 84,605 visitors. During the event, 12 exhibitor presentations and 3 professional matchmaking meetings were held, attracting 1,146 professional attendees along with the invited buyers. The 2014 Guangzhou International Travel Expo is now actively accepting exhibitors, with all metrics set to see a comprehensive upgrade.
The organizer, Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd., has restructured the exhibition layout. The upgraded PSA appointment system, dedicated matchmaking sessions, and invited buyer program will further ensure the efficiency of business participation and promote effective commercial exchanges. Multiple innovative display themes based on national economic development and the latest industry trends will also be incorporated into this edition, fully demonstrating its leading position.
The 2014 Guangzhou International Travel Expo will be held from February 27 to March 1, 2015, at the China Import and Export Fair Complex (Pazhou Complex).
Professional planning to drive efficient business exchange
This edition of the expo is clearly divided into three major exhibition areas: the International Tourism & MICE Tourism Hall, the Domestic Tourism Hall, and the Local Travel Agencies Hall. Companies from the United States, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Sweden, South Africa, Scotland, the Czech Republic, Iran, Maldives, Malaysia, Cambodia, and other countries and regions have already secured booths in advance, with the proportion of international exhibitors expected to exceed 60%. Brazil has been confirmed as the guest country of honor for next year’s expo, showcasing its upcoming hosting of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. Meanwhile, China's steady economic development and favorable policies such as the "72-hour visa-free transit" at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport have further motivated domestic tourism agencies and enterprises to participate.
To ensure the efficiency of business participation and help companies connect with more potential clients, the 2014 Guangzhou International Travel Expo will continue to offer the PSA pre-show appointment system. Through this system, exhibitors and buyers can plan their schedules in advance to achieve productive business dialogues. According to statistics, the previous expo saw 16,525 business meetings, 60% of which were confirmed via the PSA system. Additionally, a series of dedicated matchmaking meetings will be held on-site to guide exhibitors and buyers towards targeted appointments, fostering deeper communication and cooperation.
The tailor-made Invited Buyer Program by the organizers will bring more high-quality purchasers to the expo. Through strict vetting, the most procurement-capable buyers from both home and abroad will be selected. With one-stop travel arrangements, qualified buyers will be brought to the venue to interact with exhibitors. During the expo, these invited buyers will also undergo multifaceted evaluation and assessment to ensure their quality and the effective progress of business exchanges. The buyer program for this edition was officially launched in July this year, and over 700 invited buyers are expected to attend for negotiations.
Innovative displays to outline a new face for the industry
As the most influential international travel event in South China, the 2014 Guangzhou International Travel Expo will closely follow industry trends, continuously enriching its content by integrating more innovative themes and creating new exhibition zones. Next year will see the debut of a High-Speed Rail Zone, with cutting-edge themes such as smart tourism and luxury travel taking center stage.
According to relevant plans, Guangdong Province will build multiple high-speed and rapid rail lines over the next few years, including the Xiamen-Shenzhen, Nanning-Guangzhou, Guiyang-Guangzhou, Shenzhen-Maoming, Shaoguan-Ganzhou, and Meizhou-Shantou lines. These will form the “skeleton” of the province’s high-speed rail network, connecting with the Pearl River Delta urban rail system to create a two-hour work-life circle centered on the Pearl River Delta. Its influence will further radiate and drive the economic and social development of the broader Pan-Pearl River Delta region. Against this backdrop, the 2014 Guangzhou International Travel Expo will feature a High-Speed Rail Zone, showcasing tourism resources along these rail lines to domestic and international industry players.
With Guangzhou’s bid to become a national pilot city for smart tourism, more than 10 smart tourism products have been launched and piloted in over 30 local tourism enterprises. The city’s tourism industry has entered a new era of transformation and upgrading. This edition of the expo will focus on integrating the new theme of smart tourism, highlighting the industry’s fresh face in the age of intelligent travel.
According to the latest Hurun Wealth Report 2013, Guangdong Province ranks second in the number of wealthy individuals nationwide, only behind Beijing. Statistics show that travel is a major part of their lifestyle spending, accounting for 30% of total consumption. The 2014 Guangzhou International Travel Expo will further expand its luxury tourism segment, enriching the exhibition’s content with themes such as golf tourism and RV travel.
In absolute numbers, China’s outbound market has surpassed those of Germany and the United States, making it the world’s largest outbound tourism market. Favorable policies and resource development continue to drive the prosperity of the domestic tourism market. The Guangzhou International Travel Expo will, as always, provide a premium platform for global tourism professionals to exchange information and conduct business, helping all participants achieve their goals and promoting the sustained growth of the entire industry.