Great Anticipation for BIT 2008 Following This Year’s Record Highs

Anticipation is growing for the 28th BIT show -the International Tourism Exchange- which will take place at Fieramilano Exhibition Center - Rho from February 21 to 24, 2008.

The tradeshow chalked up record-breaking figures in 2007, the first year at this center with the total inclusive attendance exceeding 150,000, including 108,000 professional operators, showing a 4 percent increase over the four days and more than 5,000 exhibitors from over 120 countries.

It was also a success for BUYITALY. It beat every record in 2007, the 22nd year of the largest workshop in the world for the “Italy” product. As many as 520 buyers attended, including the key group of buyers and 58 represented countries with new entries such as Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Iran, Kuwait, Panama, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Bit’s role as the undisputed capital for Italian tourism was also confirmed by the exceptional, extensive media coverage. Over 2,000 articles and around 60 TV services dedicated to the exhibition.

BUYITALY represents an unparalleled meeting opportunity from one of the most comprehensive and respected supplies of the Italian tourist product and the best of international demand.

From 2004 to 2007 with the constant presence of all the Italian regions, represented on average by 3,000 sellers, BUYITALY has seen constant growth in International buyers and their countries.

The countries that have expressed the most number of requests are Germany, the U.S. and the UK, while the geographical areas that have made the most requests are Europe, North America and Asia. In 22 editions the most important workshop in the world for the Italian tourism supply has hosted 11,000 international buyers and over 67,000 sellers.

In line with its strategy for constant growth, the 23rd 2008 BUYITALY has further honed its ever-winning formula. The 2008 workshop will run for two days subdivided into categories of supply. Only those invited by the participating Regions will be able to take part and subject to the strong selection criteria and which promote the tourist services that the Region offers.