DOUBLE THE DESTINATIONS FOR COTTM

The China Outbound Travel & Tourism Market (COTTM), the only business-to-business event dedicated to outbound travel and tourism in China, has increased by more than 50% since the last show in 2006. This international travel trade show is taking place at the China World Trade Center (CWTC) in Beijing from 14-16 May 2007 and has attracted over 200 exhibitors from 40 different countries across the world.

With 132 countries now having ADS status, the China outbound travel market represents huge opportunities for tourism regions and destinations. COTTM provides the ideal commercial forum for new and established tourist destinations to promote their offerings to the Chinese travel trade. The show also provides a platform for exhibitors to launch new services and products; meet potential clients; establish new partnerships; network with industry peers; and hear in-depth insights and market forecasts from leading local and global experts.

Tourist boards, travel agencies, tour operators, hotel groups and resorts, car rental companies and other tourism suppliers from all over the world are preparing to exhibit at COTTM this May. Some new and exciting destinations are on board this year and include: Armenia, Belarus, Ethiopia, Philippines, Iran, Jordan, Lithuania, Uganda and Tanzania, to name a few. Following the success of the 2006 show, many destinations are also returning to Beijing to exhibit. These include destinations in Europe, the Middle-East, Australasia and the USA.

Matt Thompson, Project Director for COTTM, said: "We're very excited to welcome these fantastic new destinations to COTTM and we're delighted to provide this unique annual gathering of the Chinese and international travel trade all under one roof. Chinese tourists more than ever are travelling overseas and this is shown in the 10% increase in outbound visitors in 2006 so it's a trend that is set to continue. As Asia's largest outbound tourism market, China is definitely the place to be doing business for all those tourism destinations wishing to boost their activities in both the short and the long-term."

More than 2,500 professionals focusing on the Chinese outbound market are projected to attend this year's event, including 400 hosted buyers from throughout mainland China. In addition, COTTM has partnered with the International Forum for Chinese Outbound Tourism (IFCOT), which serves as a highly valuable and informative educational platform.

-Ends-

For media information and photographs please email zschoenfeld@tarsus.co.uk.
www.cottm.com.

Notes to editors

• For photographs of previous events, please email zschoenfeld@tarsus.co.uk. For further information regarding COTTM, please see www.cottm.com.

• COTTM is the only dedicated business-to-business outbound travel event in China. The show creates an annual platform where global and local industry professionals meet, discuss and contract the upcoming seasons. COTTM provides the essential link between the rapid development of the Chinese travel and tourism industry and the dynamic needs of the global industry.

• COTTM is supported by PATA, WTO and WTTC.

• The World Tourism Organization (WTO) predicts that China is becoming the fourth most important outbound travel market. With 34 million departures in 2005 and a predicted 100 million in 2020 it's easy to see why. Travel and tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in China, and has become one of the most dynamic sectors of the Chinese economy in the past few years. China has recorded stronger growth in this sector than any other Asia or global destination.

• COTTM is organized by Tarsus Group plc, the international media group with interests in exhibitions, conferences, publishing and online media. For further information on Tarsus and COTTM, please see www.tarsus-group.com