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(Forimmediaterelease.net) SINGAPORE - ITB Asia will be the first opportunity for the travel industry in Asia to discuss impacts and response strategies to the global economic crisis. Leaders of some of the most powerful travel companies in the world will share their perspectives and corporate best practice responses to deal with global financial volatility.

ITB Asia organizer, Messe Berlin (Singapore), wants delegates to address the economic implications. “Companies dependent on consumers continuing to travel are eager to see where this is going," said Dr. Martin Buck, director of Messe Berlin (Singapore). “Responsible delegates and market leaders will share their insights and policy responses to help deal with this latest challenge. Some of the best travel industry minds in the world will be here to bring a balanced long-term perspective to the situation," he said.

On the ITB Asia trade floor, hundreds of buyers will update over 650 exhibitors on the economic climate in their specific markets. In the ITB Asia Convention, CEOs, presidents, chairmen and chief sales officers of international companies such as Starwood, Accor and Jumeirah will assess implications and economic response strategies in the Hotel Leaders' Forum on October 23.

Later that same day, Mr. Philip Wolf, president&CEO, PhoCusWright, Inc., will single out the opportunities and pitfalls that the latest economic crisis presents and how online travel distributors should respond.

Gordon Locke, vice president, Airline Marketing and Strategy, Sabre Airline Solutions/Sabre Travel Network, will address “Turbulence and Opportunity" in the Aviation Forum on October 24.

Dr. Buck said that Asia has a strong record in responding well to crises. “The Chinese proverb that out of crisis comes opportunity is as true today as ever. Travel leaders I've talked to say that this is a time for positive action based on sound strategy. The right place to formulate that strategy is ITB Asia."

Please check the ITB Asia Event Program or visit www.itb-asia.com for the latest updates to the program.

About ITB Asia

ITB Asia will take place for the first time at Suntec Singapore Exhibition&Convention Center on October 22-24, 2008. It is organized by Messe Berlin (Singapore) Pte, Ltd. in conjunction with Singapore Tourism Board. The event will feature up to 500 exhibiting companies from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East covering not only the leisure market but also corporate and MICE travel. It will include exhibition pavilions and tabletop presence for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) providing travel services. Exhibitors from every sector of the industry, including destinations, airlines and airports, hotels and resorts, theme parks adn attractions, inbound tour operators, inbound DMCs, cruise lines, spas, venues, other meeting facilities and travel technology companies are all expected to attend.

Messe Berlin ( Singapore) Pte Ltd Whey Whey Ng General Manager 25 International Business Park # 04-113 German Centre Singapore 609916 Tel.: +65 6407 1468 Fax: +65 6407 1501 Email: Whey.ng@itb-asia.com Messe Berlin Astrid Wargenau Sales Director, ITB Asia Phone: +49 30 3038 2339 wargenau@messe-berlin.com