21 May 2003SPECIAL REPORT: NEWS FROM EIBTM
GENEVA - The 16th and final EIBTM opened yesterday, 20
percent smaller than last year and with visitor attendance
expected to be 12 percent lower.
Responding to a question by TravelWeekly on how
SARS, terrorism and a competitive event, IMEX, held in
April in Frankfurt had affected this year's event, Tom
Nutley, chairman of Reed Travel Exhibitions, quipped,
"Considering all that's happened in the last 18 months, I
am amazed we actually have a show. The joke these days is,
we don't know what to do if we don't have a crisis."
Despite this, he said the exhibitions business has held
up better than the industry itself.
He cited as an example the Arabian Travel Mart in Dubai,
held two weeks ago, " which to my surprise and to the
industry's surprise", was 10 percent bigger in terms of
exhibitors and 20 percent stronger in visitor
attendance.
"In light of what has happened in the last couple of
months, the industry is keen to go out, to promote and
revitalize and get back the business it has lost."
Having said that, he reported EIBTM was 20 percent
smaller and visitor attendance would be 12 percent lower.
"That will give a fair better supplier-buyer ratio.
"We are looking forward to a successful show this week
and more importantly, the industry is looking forward to a
successful event. There is an air of confidence about the
business going forward."