BITTM, the Beijing International Travel & Tourism Market taking place on April 3-5, 2006, has appointed i2i Media Inc as its exclusive sales agent in the Americas.

BITTM creates an annual platform where global and local industry professionals can meet, discuss, create partnerships, and contract the upcoming seasons. Dedicated exclusively to business-to business, BITTM provides the essential link between the rapid development of the Chinese travel and tourism industry and the dynamic needs of the global industry. BITTM 2006 is expected to attract over 200 international exhibitors meeting with Chinese Government officials, tour operators, travel agencies, corporate buyers, travel trade professionals and the media.

Facts:   - Outbound departures from China grew by 29% in 2003.   - China is the fifth most important travel and tourism market worldwide, and has the sixth largest share of global Gross National Income, following the USA, Japan, Germany and the UK.   - With over 90 million arrivals in 2002 and an estimated 860 million domestic trips, travel and tourism receipts represent 2.3% of the total GDP of China. The industry employs over 13.6 million people – 1.9% of the country’s total population.

China’s international outbound travel market is the fastest growing in the world, with outbound departures from China predicted to grow to 100 million departures by 2020. Chinese tourists are already making a substantial impact in many markets, outspending all foreign visitors in many Asian destinations. Many destinations predict that, in just a few years, Chinese tourists will be their largest source of foreign tourists.

Alexander Glos, CEO, i2i, said, “We are very pleased to be working with BITTM for their upcoming event because we believe the Chinese outbound travel and tourism industry is primed for tremendous growth in the years to come. i2i’s focus is to develop multiple media products around each industry we touch and our cooperation with BITTM is sure to be fruitful for everyone. China offers the greatest global opportunity for exhibition and media companies interested in expansion. China is more than an international opportunity for companies, but instead it is the world’s largest local exhibition and media market. Any company without a China strategy is missing the boat.”

Stanislav Stoilov, BITTM Sales Director, said “i2i brings unique market experience and relationships within the Americas to BITTM – we are delighted to have them on board, especially since we have just signed up Visit Florida, our first American exhibitor to BITTM.”

For further information, please do not hesitate to contact:
Cordelia Meacher, Global PR Manager, +44 (0) 20 8846 2700, cmeacher@tarsus.co.uk or WW PR, w.walker@ittfa.org

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BITTM is organised by Tarsus Group plc, the international media group with interests in exhibitions, conferences, publishing and the Internet. For further information on Tarsus and BITTM please see www.tarsus-group.com

Related Link: BITTM English
                  BITTM Chinese