On the final day, despite the sub-arctic temperatures in the somewhat ironically-named Suntec City Convention Centre, you could still imagine that steam was rising from the computers in the press centre of ITB Asia, as the staff tapped frenetically on the keyboard preparing the final closing report for the event. 

The numbers told the type of story that numbers invariably tell. Show attendance was 6,149, compared with 6,208 in 2008; while exhibiting organizations increased to 679 compared to 651 in 2008. Invited buyers sat at 553, versus the 812 from 2008, because, the release said, "Messe Berlin implemented higher vetting standards." Some 384 attendees joined Web In Travel's main event, while 280 and 166 attendees visited the WIT Ideas Labs.

Overall, it was a solid performance, and the entire organising team from both events, plus the Singapore Tourism Board, deserves credit for fielding a polished show, given the nature of the global financial crisis that had taken place over the previous year. 

Read the full story at 4Hoteliers.com Exclusive ITB Asia & WIT 2009 coverage, click to read