The three-day event, the second one since its debut in 1999, drew participation of some 413 exhibiting companies from 38 countries and regions, including 9 new comers, this year.

While exhibitors from the Asia-Pacific region make up the largest group of participants, there is also a significant participation from the United States, according to the sponsor Miller Freeman Asia, adding that the U.S. exhibitor delegation is the third largest delegation after the China's mainland and Hong Kong.

"The success of the debut of ITA in 1999 has generated much attention and interest from the global industry," said Michael Duck, vice president of Miller Freeman Asia at the ITA 2000 Press Conference Thursday.

"This year, we are pleased to have renowned international industry players joining ITA for the first time and industry leaders leveraging ITA as part of their strategic move to Asia," he said.

"Walt Disney Parks & Resorts -- the theme park and resort division of the Walt Disney Company will join ITA for the first time, showcasing its newest theme park, Disney's California Adventure for the first time in an Asia trade show.

"World Tourism Organization, together with the United Nations Development Program, will introduce the Tumen River Area of Northeast Asia to its source markets, particularly the Asian market," he noted.

He said ITA is not just a display of travel products and services, but includes a series of concurrent events of seminars, press conferences and receptions.

At the seminar, top international speakers will discuss impressive topics on IT, e-commerce, alliances and globalization, he added.

(People's Daily)