Suppliers and buyers from all over the world will gather in Penang, Malaysia, next week for the inaugural WTM Connect Asia.

From May 18 to 20, international exhibitors will meet with Chinese, South East Asian and International Hosted Buyers at the Straits Quay Convention Centre for three days of pure networking and business.

The exhibitor line-up will bring together some key industry players including Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, Visit Berlin, Philippines Tourism Promotions Board, Ministry of Tourism Indonesia, Marriott Vacation Club International, Cox & Kings and Tourico Holidays, among others.

Featuring a new ‘pod’ format, the event will be focused on pre-scheduled business appointments, and filling up exhibitor and Hosted Buyer diaries before they even arrive to the event.

The event will also feature an inspirational forum where Azran Osman Rani, Ex CEO of AirAsia X and Indian-Nepali Sherpa Everest climber Jamling Tenzing Norgay will be sharing their unique life changing stories with the audience.

Charlie Cracknell, senior exhibition director of WTM Connect Asia, said: “I’m really pleased with the exhibitors and buyers we have coming to Penang next week. With such a strong group of people, the innovative new pod format and the incredible number of appointments set to take place, I’m sure WTM Connect Asia will deliver great results for everyone involved”.

Datuk Seri, director general of Tourism Malaysia, added: “We are very excited and proud that Malaysia has been chosen to host the inaugural edition of WTM Connect Asia. It marks WTM’s entry into South East Asia, and we are proud to collaborate on this together to pave the way for this event to take place here. This is a one-stop platform bringing together professionals from the tourism industry, it will certainly be a gathering not to be missed in one of Malaysia’s culturally vibrant cities." - TradeArabia News Service