By Debanjali Rakshit
At Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, where the brilliance of the skyline meets the spirit of internationalism that the world aspires to, ITB Asia 2025 stepped back into the limelight on October 15 for the 18th time, reaffirming its place as the leading travel transformation expo in the Asia-Pacific.
With the expo halls filled with parties partying and making deals, this year’s expo-feel, co-located with MICE Show Asia, and Travel Tech Asia, has the feel of a speedy reunion with a total attendance of thousands from over 60 counties.
Dates this year were five halls in every sense of the word, across two levels to embrace “Future Forward: Transforming Travel and Tourism in a Changing World” theme. It was a lively platform for debating, discussing topics like innovation, changing expectations of travel, sustainability and the ever-growing MICE sector in the Asia Pacific.
David Ruetz, Messe Berlin’s Senior Vice President, puts light on the growth and diversity asserts, “We are thrilled to welcome first-time participants from Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Hungary, Tamil Nadu, Da Nang, and Kaohsiung City Government, expanding ITB Asia’s international footprint even further.”
One of the new features for 2025 was a debut of the Experiences & Attractions Highlight Zone. It showcased brands like Disney Cruise Line and Mandai Wildlife Reserve with experiential features that best represented how tourism destinations could showcase their appeal in the future. The larger delegations from Central Asia and Africa, and apparent upswing of Indian State tourism boards, were notable. It marked the strategic importance of the show for forming global partnerships.
Travel technology took centre stage, with the sector’s exhibition space growing by 15 percent and nearly half of its exhibitors were new to the show. It reflects the vital role of tech innovation in shaping seamless, sustainable travel experiences. “Travel tech enables digital transformation, improves customer experience, and drives efficiency,” Ruetz noted, highlighting sessions led by TripAdvisor and Amadeus.
Alvin Tan, Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry, highlighted ITB Asia as a catalyst for collaboration across the industry and a focal point for putting Singapore firmly on the map as a vibrant tourism destination in the face of global shifts.
As the melting pot for ideas, innovation, and global collaboration, ITB Asia 2025 demonstrated once again that it is the optimal access point for the professionals shaping the global travel landscape to embrace change, sustainability, and opportunity.