The only business to business outbound event in China dedicated to the Chinese outbound travel and tourism industry, COTTM, (China Outbound Travel & Tourism Market) recently held its 6th edition of the annual trade show in Beijing, China. This year the exhibition included 230 exhibitors from 55 different countries, from Australia to Azerbaijan; Croatia to Cuba; Thailand to Tanzania, creating a global platform of destinations and services, and the business opportunities to meet with the key Chinese industry professionals and buyers.

For the first time, COTTM welcomed destinations including Bhutan, Croatia, Israel, Indonesia & Tanzania; as well as a Caribbean and Japanese Pavilion to the exhibition. Also through the private sector for the first time, Jordan, Madagascar, Namibia and Turkey also participated. Over 3,000 Chinese travel trade professionals convened at COTTM to meet exhibitors from all over the world, to source new products and destinations for the rapidly expanding Chinese outbound travel market.

This year COTTM had a stronger focus on educating visitors and exhibitors to understand business and cultural practices in China. A comprehensive education programme was held in association with China Outbound Travel Research Institute, (COTRI) and Prof. Dr Wolfgang Georg Alt. Exhibitors were able to attend an introduction and a debrief workshop to learn about how to successfully approach the Chinese outbound travel market. COTRI also hosted the popular Chinese Tourist Welcoming Awards, which recognises the excellent services and products provided for the growing outbound Chinese market.

Prof. Dr Wolfgang Georg Alt commented, “The educational activities received positive feedback with both speakers and audience sharing new insights as well as contacts. China, one participant remarked, is not an easy market, so presentations by experts and the opportunity to ask questions are a very welcome complimentary part of participating in COTTM”.

Several lively panel discussions also took place to debate the opportunities and challenges in operating within the industry. Panel members included China International Travel Service (CITS) Limited, and China Travel Service (CTS) and Trip Advisor.  Mr Chen Yue Liang, Deputy President of China International Travel Service, Head Office, commented “COTTM provides CITS a vital opportunity and platform with the industry to communicate and make progress with each other. With the Chinese outbound travel and tourism industry’s prosperous development, CITS is very pleased to take this opportunity to showcase our branding and further strengthen to communicate with the travel industry professionals”. Mr Zhang Hao, the deputy President of China Travel Service Head Office (Beijing) “We highly appreciate that COTTM provides us with such an excellent platform for the Chinese outbound market that suppliers, buyers and its share-stake holders are able to communicate and networking deeply and comprehensively with each other, and to further provide better products and services for Chinese travellers in all aspects.”

This year the China Tourism Academy announced their support of COTTM, and chose to reveal their “Annual report of China Outbound Tourism Development 2009/2010” during the show. Numerous exhibitors also took advantage of the captive audience and gave presentations on their countries and companies.  Exhibitor Avis Asia commented that “COTTM 2010 has been a great success for Avis.  We have been able to communicate our brand and the services we offer around the world to key Chinese travel agencies and tour operators.”  The Macau Government Tour Office said that COTTM is a “very professional fair with good opportunities for trade communication”; while the Fiji Tourist Board said the “quality of buyers were good”.

Matt Thompson said, Project Director at COTTM said “COTTM aims to provide the Chinese buyers with a platform to visit the upcoming destinations to communicate to Chinese outbound travellers.With Chinese tourists making up 6% of the world’s outbound traveller’s in 2009 and the figure projected to reach 100 million travellers per year by 2020, it is a huge market that will continue to grow. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our media partners, industry associations, exhibitors and visitors, for their support and we look forward to working together again in 2011.”

Relevant News in Chinese: http://travelfair.lvyou168.cn/20100522/23976.html