Luxury travel buyers and agents from across the Asia-Pacific region will meet in Shanghai in June for the seventh annual International Luxury Travel Market Asia.

They will consider almost 500 of the latest travel offerings from 70 countries across the world and identify next year's trends for their clients.

Asia still leads the world in global tourism, according to the World Tourism Organization. Double-digit growth in outbound travel from China in 2012 resulted in a record 83 million trips abroad, 20 percent more than the year previous.

Chinese tourists spent some $80 billion last year, 42 percent more than in 2011 and a five-fold increase from a decade earlier.

Alison Gilmore, director of ILTM Asia Exhibitions, explained that "ILTM events are trade-only hubs created exclusively to develop the business of customized luxury travel".

"Agents and buyers attending ILTM Asia from across the region will have the opportunity to ensure they're ahead of the game in meeting their increasing client demands during three days of face-to-face pre-scheduled appointments, educational seminars and business networking."

The demand for greater choices in elite travel across Asia has encouraged a diverse range of international exhibitors at ILTM Asia 2013.

Cruise lines continue to grow in representation at the event. Niche specialists Poseidon Expeditions offers exclusive icebreaker cruises to the North Pole, while South East Asia Exotic Cruise has Indonesian journeys. They join established exotic travel experts such as Silversea Cruises, Orion Expeditions, Sea Dream Yacht Club and Aqua Expeditions.

Expanding their Asia profile, Orient Express announced last year that it will launch a second new river cruise in Myanmar staring in July.

The 50-passenger Orcaella will offer a collection of cruises giving passengers access to the very heart of the beguiling country.

"There is an increased presence of both boutique and family oriented hotels across Asia and beyond at this year's ILTM Asia," Gilmore said.

"Aiming to attract a younger generation of high net worth travelers, these hotels are often situated in areas of rich historical or architectural interest, with a high level of personalized services," she noted.

The Small Luxury Hotels of the World, one of the exhibitors at the event, will profile Sheng He Club Nantong, Wu Zhen Club House and Tengchong Hot Spring - all in second or third-tier cities - as well as the Hotel Eclat Beijng that opened in March.

Others include Aman Resorts' Hangzhou Amanfayun - which has sections dating back to the 1800s and is surrounded by tea fields and bamboo groves - and the new 69-room Capella Washington in the United States.

The Four Seasons portfolio includes the George V in Paris, one of the city's most prestigious landmark hotels that is increasingly recognized for its commitment to families.

A recreation manager at the George V is available to organize child-friendly experiences such as biscuit baking with the chef as well as behind the scenes tours.

With a strict qualification process for both buyers and exhibitors, the invitation-only ILTM Asia 2013 event includes participants from China, Japan, India, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Indonesia and Australia.

Business appointments are pre-scheduled to match mutual requests from buyers and exhibitors that meet on a strict one-to-one ratio to build relationships and business communities.

For further information, please visit www.iltm.net/asia

zhuanti@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 04/02/2013 page7)