ABTM 2003 attracts business travel heavyweights

Business travel heavyweights such as Marriott International, The Ascott International, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Emirates Airlines, ABACUS International, Hertz, have confirmed their participation at Asia Business Travel Market (ABTM) 2003.

"Asia Business Travel Market is gearing up well for its debut show. We are delighted with the overwhelming support given by the travel trade which demonstrates that ABTM is the essential launchpad for travel suppliers to tap into the lucrative China business travel marketplace," said ABTM Event Director, Andrew Lee.

Hotel chains and airlines like Best Western International, Hilton International, Mutiara Hotels & Resorts, Raffles International, Millennium & Copthorne International, Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, Meritus Hotels & Resorts, Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Six Continents Hotels, Accor Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, SRS World Hotels, Gulf Air and Air France are expected at ABTM 2003. Confirmed exhibitors include Kingdom of Bahrain, Emirates Airlines, Dubai Department of Tourism, Marriott International, ABACUS International, Fraser Serviced Residences, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Eaton Hotel, HRS, Hertz and UTC South Africa.

"We are keen to work with professional organisations such as Reed Travel Exhibitions to promote an increased awareness and knowledge of how companies can benefit from working with a travel management company to reduce their T&E costs," said Jacquie Lindsay, Director - Marketing Communications, Carlson Wagonlit Travel. 

Business travellers account for 65 percent of China's air travel market, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). As such, increased domestic travel will certainly fuel demand for business travel management services. Nearly 400,000 foreign-based companies operate in China and this number is expected to increase 18 percent with Beijing's entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Asia Business Travel Market 2003, the exhibition cum conference targeting the business travel segment in China, will be held from 3-5 September at the Grand Hyatt Shanghai. With only 130 booths available at the inaugural event and a targeted attendance of 1,800, interested exhibitors are encouraged to make their bookings early.