WTM 2008 Global Trends Report exclusive WELCOME to B&B accommodation... 2009 style. A butler and Bentley limousine await you, sir. This is the incredible red-carpet attention that Asia is offering to the high-end executive traveller, now often tagged a CIP (Commercially Important Person.) A super-sleek limousine will be ready and waiting at the airport and then a modern-day Jeeves - the gentleman's valet from the famous P.G.Wodehouse stories - steps in to cater for the visitor's every personalised need. Your very own multi-lingual, Blackberry-totting, willing Man Friday will be available 24/7! The shift in meetings and business travel is highlighted in this year's WTM Global Trends Report 2008, in association with global market intelligence firm Euromonitor International. World Travel Market is in London from November 10-13. Commenting on the report's findings, Caroline Bremner, Head of Travel and Tourism Research at Euromonitor International said, "The current trends resonating with travellers across all regions include the desire for environmental responsibility, social interaction, authentic travel experiences and fair trade practices. In the current economic climate, those companies that adapt and integrate such business practices into their offering will be best placed for survival". The trend-setting St. Regis hotel chain, with five-star luxury and excellence, has introduced made-to-measure attention for businessmen targeting Asia, where growth has been outstripping the world economies. St. Regis has a customised fleet of Bentleys to meet the influx of CIPs and VIPs at its Singapore hotel, which is also equipped with business and fitness centres, all-day spas, free wireless internet, mobile phones/Blackberries and laptop rentals. Other groups, such as InterContinental and Pan-Pacific, are increasingly adopting this emphasis on business-orientated features as the importance of hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai and Mumbai keeps intensifying. Hotel rates are booming in Asia-Pacific. Business tourism to Asia is forecast to have compound growth rate of approaching 10 per cent from 2007-12, regardless of the economic crisis. Arrivals are predicted to soar from 52 million to 80 million by 2012, an average annual nine per cent rise. Singapore has the innovative JetQuay terminal, dedicated to respond exclusively to the business-class traveller seeking speedy immigration and customs clearance. There was overwhelming demand for this service during the F1 Grand Prix in the city last September. The CIPs came streaming in at full throttle. Fiona Jeffery, chairman of World Travel Market said:" Other countries will catch onto the idea as the number of business-class only flights - private, scheduled and chartered - pick up. "British Airways is due to launch its special trans-Atlantic service next year. The report says that much hinges on the success of those flights." To satisfy customer wishes, Singapore Airlines switched its hub flights to New York (Newark) to business only and seats are sold out up to six months in advance. This success persuaded them to introduce the same system for Singapore- Los Angeles. "The next step will be for hotels to go dual-purpose and exploit the potential in combining business- with- family breaks, covering everything from childcare to internet access, shopping to theatre", added Jeffery. "Meetings industry operators with integrated entertainment attractions - casinos, theme and amusement parks, for example - will have an edge in luring clients and maximising income." A convention centre capable of hosting more than 52,000 delegates should be finished in Singapore towards the end of next year. In 2010, Shanghai and Singapore will open developments geared to big meetings industry events. -Ends- For further information please contact the WTM Press Office on +44 (0) 207 069 6119/6120 or visit the WTM International Press Centre onsite at ExCeL London, Level 3. After 13 November, for further information please email katy.kenyon@reedexpo.co.uk

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NOTES TO EDITORS World Travel Market - New Admissions Policy World Travel Market (WTM), the global trade event for the travel industry announces a new admission policy, designed to benefit both exhibitors and visitors alike. The new WTM policy includes changes to the structure of the daily format, with WTM Opening Day on Monday 10 November, open to Exhibitors, Exhibitor Invitees, Ministers, and press. The following three days, Tuesday 11 November - Thursday 13 November, will be accessible to all Meridian Club members, Travel Trade professionals, Ministers and press, giving participants more flexibility to choose the days they wish to visit the exhibition. Students will be invited to attend WTM on Wednesday 12 November and Thursday 13 November, where they will participate in a structured education programme. Individuals from the retail arm of the travel industry including travel agents, homeworkers and call centre staff will be invited to attend WTM on Thursday 13 November.

WTM remains a trade only exhibition. A full programme of conferences, seminars, B2B meetings, and industry initiatives will run across three days, Tuesday 11 November - Thursday 13 November and includes the UNWTO Minister's Summit, WTM World Responsible Tourism Day (WTM WRTD), along with a number of new initiatives on Thursday 13 November, such as an extended Responsible Tourism programme and exhibitor to exhibitor networking initiatives.

For further details visit www.wtmlondon.com

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Reed Exhibitions is the world's leading events organiser. In 2007 Reed brought together over six million industry professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business.

Today Reed events are held in 38 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and organised by 39 fully staffed offices. Reed organises a wide range of events, including exhibitions, conferences, congresses and meetings. Its portfolio of over 500 events serves 47 industry sectors, including: Aerospace & aviation, automobiles, building & construction, electronics, energy, engineering, entertainment, environment, food & hospitality, gifts, healthcare, IT, jewellery, life sciences & pharmaceuticals, property, manufacturing, medical education, packaging & converting, printing & visual communication, security, sports & recreation, travel.