Exhibition excess

As tourism professionals from around the world prepare for the Leisure Tourism Exhibition in September many were shocked with the announcement of yet another tourism exhibition.

As many participants start to question the effectiveness of standard exhibitions and the diminishing return on investment the news has been greeted with some pessimism and disbelief that a professional travel exhibition organiser would position it's new event on the days immediately preceding the well established MITT exhibition.

Exhibitions are an important promotional opportunity and Russia has been well served with 2 firmly established exhibitions. The MITT exhibition in March and Leisure in September. Both events have grown rapidly since their humble beginnings and the numbers of participants and visitors are impressive. However who exactly are these events for?

Whilst it is necessary for all sectors of the tourism industry to present themselves and create awareness of their services the exhibitions have become increasingly the main sales opportunity for the growing number of large Russian tour operators to meet and sell to the small agents from around Russia. It is saddening to see International Executives queuing outside busy Russian stands trying to arrange a meeting.

The practice of treading on each other's toes appears to be on the increase amongst the organisers and only creates confusion amongst International participants and Russian visitors. How many exhibitions can you visit in Russia? What return do you require on your investments. Please take a few second to enter our survey on the home page.

This high prices of participating at the exhibitions and their lack of professionalism in not being able to 'Trade Only' days is resulting in a growing number of strategically targeted smaller events.