Guangzhou International Travel Fair 2014(GITF) just came to an end at China Import and Export Fair Pazhou Complex. The three-day event, held from 27 February to 1 March, was a tremendous success in all around way. 753 exhibitors from 42 countries and regions with 62% exhibitors from outside China were attracted; the exhibition area covered 22,000sqm; journalists from 165 mass and professional media worldwide reported GITF at the spot. Additionally, the ever-growing GITF unleashed substantial commercial potential. 700 invited buyers and 24,104 professional visitors attended the fair, 1,386 of whom filled 17 concurrent seminars, leading to a total number of 21,516 business meetings. All these achievements again crowned GITF as the most influential international annual trade fair in the Asia-Pacific region.

Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd, the sponsor of GITF 2014, has always been dedicating itself to building a diversified platform for oversea travel agencies to get into the vast China market and for domestic companies to expand global market.

The followings are the main features of GITF 2014:

1. Guest of honor: Brazil
Brazil was the guest of honor this year, namely the cooperative country for promotion. A total of 10 Brazilian tourist companies set up a large booth covering 108sqm. They comprehensively promoted the rich tourism resources in Brazil by using the World Cup 2014 and the Olympic Games 2016 in Brazil as an opportunity.

2. New Record: 62% of overseas attendance ratio
The overseas attendance ratio continuously rose and hit a record of 62% (2012: 47% 2013:58%). Over 450 new and old exhibitors from 42 countries and regions attended, including Brazil, U.S., Russia, France, Italy, Peru, Romania, Israel, Fiji, Switzerland, Greece, Iran, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Companies from Peru, Romania, Israel, Fiji and Switzerland all joined GITF for the first time. It is noteworthy that the Organizing Committee of Milan World Expo 2015 also organized a group of exhibitors for publicity.

3. Professional layout: 3 major halls and themed pavilions
The fair was divided into International Trade and MICE Hall (Hall 16.2), Domestic Hall (Hall 15.2) and Local Agency Hall (Hall 14.2) to facilitate visit. Themed and brand-new pavilions of Guangzhou 72-hour visa-free transit, overseas consular protection policy, RV, yacht and golf all drew a lot of attention.

4. Spotlight: Display of smart travel achievements
GITF 2014 set up a display area of smart travel, covering over 700sqm, for the first time to showcase what Guangzhou, a pilot city of smart travel had achieved in this field and to echo the slogan Beautiful China, 2014—Year of Smart Travel proposed by National Tourism Bureau. The organizer invited nearly 30 scenic areas with 4A-above grade, together with more than 10 technology supporters including China Unicom, South New Tech, CCTV International, , Fok Ying Tung Research Institute, , and , to jointly display top application achievements of China’s smart travel. Four programs, including the official WeChat account of Guangzhou Tourism—Travelling in Guangzhou, touch screen self-service registration system for one-day tour in Guangzhou, Woyoutong client system of mobile phones and smart guide system for visiting Guangzhou Tower, went public. Meanwhile, many innovative products and technologies also debuted in the fair, including marketing management system of Lingnan Impression Garden, real time monitoring system of Baiyun Mountain Scenic Area, night tour pie of the Pearl River, WeChat guide system of botanic garden and business meeting machine of Guoyou Company.

5. Infinite business opportunities: High quality buyers and seminars
A group of 700 high-profile buyers, most of which were Fortune 500 companies and world-class traveling agencies, were elaborately selected and invited by the organizer to participate in commercial and trade negotiations in GITF so as to further enhance the efficiency of exhibitors and visitors and tap business opportunities. 700 invited buyers and 24,104 professional visitorsattended, 1,386 of who filled 17 concurrent seminars, leading to a total number of 21,516 business meetings.

Themes of seminars included:
- Chenzhou Tourism Promotion of Hunan
- Tour Around the New Flower City of Wuhan 2014
- Emirates Airline Product Updates
- United states, from the ‘Heart’ Found
- All about Guam
- Russian Tourist Hotspots and New Product Launch
- Italy Elite Tourism Promotion
- We travel
- Sixth New Flight Announcement of EL AL Israel Airlines
- Travel to Bazil
- Luxury Travel in Italy
- Healthy Rounding, Embracing the World
- Russia versa Travel Russia Tourism Highlights and New Products Release Conference
- Greek Tourism & Investment Immigration Promotion
- Overseas Depth Experience Self-Driving Tour
- Holy Garze, the Journey of Your Heart.

According to the Report of National Tourism Working Conference for 2014, the tourism industry had undergone a steady and rapid growth in 2013 as domestic and international tourist markets burgeoned. With the promulgation of new Tourism Law which effectively standardized tourist market, the ease of visa policies of several countries attracting more outbound tourists and the popularity of tourism industry as an  nvestment hotspot, Chinese tourism market is being affected profoundly and positively. GITF will stick to its foothold in the market, and continue to create platforms and business opportunities for the tourism industry.
 

The next edition will be held on 6-8 March, 2015.

 

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