GLOBAL MICE REPORT TO BE LAUNCHED AT EIBTM 2001 TRAVEL & TOURISM INTELLIGENCE PARTNERSHIP WITH LEADING INDUSTRY EVENT

A major new international report on the latest crucial developments within the MICE market is to be launched at EIBTM 2001 in Geneva, in conjunction with Travel & Tourism Intelligence (TTI), the world's foremost authority on specialist analysis on worldwide travel and tourism.

The EIBTM MICE Report will be produced and presented in tandem with TTI, on the opening day of the event at Palexpo - Tuesday 29 May.

A keynote presentation will take place on the central stage at EIBTM, immediately after the opening ceremony.

"For too long the international MICE market has worked on theory and gut reaction, rather than statistical evidence and meticulous analysis", said Debbie Jackson, EIBTM's exhibition director.

" The 'EIBTM MICE Report', in conjunction with Travel & Tourism Intelligence, will seek to address the situation, helping exhibitors, visitors and the media to understand more about this industry and the factors that are inhibiting growth."

Ms. Jackson said that the report was part of a number of major improvements and added value services that EIBTM is introducing, including a comprehensive overhaul and strengthening of the Hosted Buyer programme.

"We are very fortunate to have agreed a partnership with TTI, the world's most respected provider of industry analysis. Their expertise and professionalism will be a vital element in producing an authoritative summary of the very latest situation."

The report will be written by respected specialist writer, Bob Papworth, who will use a previous report by TTI - ' The Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibition Industry' - published last summer as a basis for his latest findings on the industry.

A journalist for more than 30 years, Papworth has specialised in the travel industry for almost a quarter of a century, contributing to media as diverse as Business Traveller, the BBC and The Times, UK.

"The business of travel remains a Cinderella of the commercial world, generally undervalued and sometimes even unrecognised," he said. "It is essential that forums such as EIBTM 2001 are used to convince opinion-formers and decision-makers of the true, tangible worth of a vibrant and expanding travel and tourism sector."

Delia Cooke, managing editor of TTI, who will be responsible for the editing of the 20-page report, said:" There is a lack of reliable statistics with which to measure the scale and value of the MICE industry and this has hampered the progress of what is now a highly successful and influential sector.

"We are encouraging countries to make accurate assessments of the value of the sector in order to assist in the planning and monitoring of the impact of the industry. Without such figures, the industry cannot expect to be taken seriously by two vital target audiences for its future success: governments and investors.

"We began to address the situation for the first time last year with the publication of a MICE report, and the EIBTM MICE Report, in conjunction with TTI, will be a valuable opportunity to continue that work.

"EIBTM is the leading event of its kind in the world and it is therefore natural that we should team up with the organisers for this initiative."