KITF 2024 EXHIBITION SHOWED A RECORD NUMBER OF VISITORS IN ITS 22 YEARS OF EXISTENCE.
ONE OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE AND VIBRANT BUSINESS EVENTS IN THE TOURISM SECTOR - THE 22ND KAZAKHSTAN INTERNATIONAL TOURISM AND TRAVEL EXHIBITION - KITF 2024 - ENDED IN ALMATY. FROM APRIL 24 TO 26, 406 COMPANIES FROM 28 COUNTRIES PRESENTED THEIR SERVICES AND UNIQUE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS.
KITF grows every year as a large-scale event that brings together participants and visitors from around the world, creating a platform for a wide exchange of experiences, ideas and innovations in the tourism industry. Among the exhibitors in 2024, 89% of foreign companies were present, which confirms the significance of the expo event on the international site. Companies from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Vietnam, Georgia, Greece, Egypt, Italy, India, Kazakhstan, Qatar, China, Kyrgyzstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Maldives, UAE, Russia, Romania, Slovenia, Thailand, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Croatia, Montenegro, the Czech Republic, Sri Lanka, South Korea, and Japan presented a wide range of products to visitors and partners. 16 countries, such as Azerbaijan, Belarus, Vietnam, Georgia, Kazakhstan, China, Cuba, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Uzbekistan, Russia, Romania, Croatia, South Korea, Japan were represented by national groups and regional stands.
The overall increase in the number of companies participating in the exhibition was 56% compared to last year. This fact testifies to the growing significancy and attractiveness of the exhibition as a platform for promoting business, exchanging experiences and establishing new partnership relations. New destinations were presented to the tourist community of Kazakhstan: Kamchatka Territory, Altai Republic (RF), Romania, Phu Quoc (Vietnam). The wide representation of debuting companies emphasized the effectiveness of the exhibition for opening new horizons for business growth and the high interest in their products.
- This is our first time participating in this exhibition and we actually see great demand for our products. We’re really excited to be here because we see a lot of people coming to us who want to visit the North Pole, the Arctic and Antarctica, and we’re really excited to see that it inspires them. I think that great opportunities are opening up for us here, and we are considering the possibility of our participation in this exhibition next year, - said Tamara Naumenko, Marketing Director of the Polar Travel Club.
During the exhibition days, contracts were signed, partnership agreements between countries were concluded, as well as a decision to open new air routes was made. The participants noted that they were interested in the local market and expressed a desire to participate in the next exhibition.
- We are participating in the KITF exhibition in Kazakhstan for the first time. We have signed many contracts with tour operators, including Kazakhstani tour operators, as well as with some other countries. And we liked the connections with Kazakhstani travel agencies so much that we have many contracts, and now we are even trying to introduce direct flights between Romania and Kazakhstan. Yesterday I had a very important meeting with one of the Kazakhstani airlines - Scat Airlines, which will open flights to Romania next month. We have already signed an agreement to participate in the exhibition in 2025. We have booked a stand, chosen its location, because we consider the connection with other countries very interesting, - Martin Corina, the President of RESTO CONSTANTA, shared her impressions of participating in the exhibition.
Another great result of KITF 2024 is the colossal increase in the number of visitors. Considering that the exhibition audience consists only of industry professionals, a sharply increased interest in the tourism business is noticeable. In just three exhibition days, 5,219 people became unique visitors. This figure has already broken pre-pandemic records. Thanks to the exhibition, visitors became aware of the latest trends and innovations in the tourism industry, received advice and recommendations from experts by attending business program events, and also established valuable contacts with representatives of travel companies and agencies.
- I am visiting the KITF exhibition for the tenth time. Every time new companies are present, this year there are a lot of new exhibitors, more than in the past. We always conclude agreements at the exhibition, this is why it is valuable, - noted Yuliya Dolgushina, the Deputy Director of Asia VIP Tour LLP.
All days of the exhibition were filled with eventful business program events. Within the framework of the Plenary session “Alga, Kazakhstan!: tools for tourism development. Successful cases of international practice”, speakers in a dialogue format discussed the successful experience of the participating countries, cooperation and development of government programs to support tourism. 3 panel sessions on the most pressing industry issues at the KITF Travel Forum platform provided 17 hours of interactive discussions on current topics, which 74 speakers from among government officials, bloggers and industry experts helped to understand.
KITF 2024 Tourism and Travel exhibition has become a real holiday and an interactive hub for all participants in the tourism market of both Kazakhstan and international business, providing participants and visitors with a valuable opportunity on one platform to exchange experiences, find new partners, learn about the latest trends and destinations in the field tourism.
It should be noted that the technical improvement of the exhibition was the launch of the innovative mobile application - ITECA.EVENTS. Its main task is to make both participation and visiting the exhibition as productive as possible. Using the application, participants are able to make appointments with potential clients and collect contacts by scanning QR codes of badges. And visitors always had at their disposal a list of participants with a list of products and services presented at the exhibition, as well as a business program schedule and an interactive exhibition plan.
The official partner of KITF 2024 is KOMPAS tour operator. Partners of the exhibition business program are PEGAS Touristik, Trend Buro.
Official support for the event was provided by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Akimat of Almaty city, Kazakh Tourism National Company JSC, Kazakhstan Tourism Association ALE, Atameken National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, Turistik Kamkor Corporate Fund.
The organizer of the KITF exhibition is ITECA Kazakhstan Exhibition Company and its international partner – ICA Events Group of Companies.
