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MITT2003 Show Report The 10th MITT celebrated it's tenth anniversary on March 26th-29th at the Expocentre in Moscow and confirmed its position as the leading travel trade event for the Eastern European market. This year the event occupied more than 36,000 square meters and attracted more than 2,500 exhibitors(60% International) from 106 countrie. It is estimated that approximately 125,000 people from all regions of Russia and the neighbouring countries visited in additional to more than 40 Official Delegations.
Amongst the exhibitors there were mixed views on the event which was obviously overshadowed by the Iraq conflict. Bobby T Koshy from the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority was delighted with the results of the event with some of his companies having signed contracts for more than USD.200,000.- This is certainly due to their superb stand design and motivated stand staff who ensured that all passers by received publicity material on Sharjah. The volume of visitors at the show was possibly excessive on the first days especially and many exhibitions would appreciate a form of Meridian days that would ensure trade only for at least one day.
As the show becomes larger and more popular with creative stand designs, it now tends to favour the larger 'National' stands who are able to purchase substantial space and build impressive stands. Smaller operators we met expressed some criticism and the excessive crowds limited networking. However the week in Moscow in now spawning many smaller specialised events like the Moscow Golf & Luxury Travel Workshop (see following story) which gave exhibitors an opportunity to meet with exclusive clientele in a more peaceful environment. Having participated at all the MITT Exhibitions I have personally seen many changes. This exhibition takes its rightful place amongst the major travel trade events in the world.  |
