Asia Luxury Travel Market (ALTM), the region�s only event exclusively for the luxury travel industry, is almost double the size of the 2007 inaugural event. Only in its second year, ALTM has already become a must for key players in Asia�s luxury travel industry.

The success of ALTM 2008 is thanks to a larger presence from some of last year�s exhibitors as well as a host of new names who don�t want to be left out of the most important event on the calendar for Asia�s booming luxury travel industry.

�We expected ALTM to grow quickly, just as its sister event ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) did when we started it seven years ago,� says ALTM and ILTM founder Serge Dive. �But the pace of growth of ALTM has surprised even us. It�s been even more rapid than that of ILTM, which shows how excited everyone is about the enormous growth potential from Asia.�

This year�s new exhibitors include the ultra chic Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, the UK�s Maybourne Hotel Group which comprises three of Europe�s finest hotels, Claridge�s, The Berkeley and The Connaught, Tourism Ireland, Lufthansa Private Jets, Regalia Hotel Group, Bombardier Skyjet, International, Turismo Madrid, Dreamscape International and Luxury Australia which features Orion Expedition Cruises and Wilderness Australia.

Another of ALTM�s new exhibitors, Luca Fanucchi of The Coselli Collection, commented that: �Throughout the years, the Coselli Collection has been a leader in providing luxury Italian fine living in historic Tuscan villas to guests from throughout Europe and the USA. We are now keen to expand our profile and introduce our villa collection to the Asia Pacific Market. We feel that the Asia Luxury Travel Market provides us with the perfect opportunity to launch into this market through its well established and concentrated network of dedicated luxury travel buyers. With Asian outbound travel forecasts predicting substantial growth, especially for high quality accommodation and service providers, we are looking forward to our first year with ALTM in Shanghai.�

Due to the growth in the number of exhibitors attending ALTM this year, the show�s organisers have increased the number of VIP Buyers invited to match Exhibitor demand. ALTM is organised like a private club, in that attendance is by invitation only and the VIP travel buyers are flown in and fully hosted by the show�s organizers. This ensures that exhibitors get to meet only the most important travel buyers from the region, who have been identified and pre-screened by the show�s team of industry experts.

One of ALTM�s new VIP Buyers Jan Musgrave, CEO of Bill Peach Journeys explained why she will be attending the show: �With Asia being one of the fastest growing areas within our travel portfolio, we are excited to have the opportunity through ALTM to source luxury products. Our aim at this event is to meet with prestigious operators of this region to partner in expanding this lucrative segment of our market.�

Unlike any other trade show, ALTM works on a unique appointment system, where all appointments between buyers and sellers are organised prior to the event. It�s a win win situation which ensures both buyers and sellers are able to select who they want to meet with without wasting valuable time.

The majority of VIP Buyers who attended ALTM 2007 have also committed for the 2008 event; amongst them representatives from Virtuoso Australia/New Zealand, American Express Asia Pacific, Quintessentially, Ten Lifestyle Management, as well as many independent travel organisers catering for niche luxury travel.

ALTM co-founder, Mr. Serge Dive and Event Director, Mr. Jay Martens, staged a series of cocktail events in Asia to launch the 2008 show. They were held in Singapore on 11 March, Hong Kong on 12 March, Shanghai on 18 March and Tokyo on 20 March and were attended by key representatives from the luxury travel industry.

ALTM is organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions.

For more information please visit the ALTM website www.altm.com.cn.

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Distributed on behalf of Asia Luxury Travel Market by Grebstad Hicks Communications

*Note, high resolution images available upon request

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In Hong Kong Amber Hinde amber.hinde@ghcasia.com Carol Kong carol.kong@ghcasia.com