With less than a week to go until IBTM World, which will take place at Fira Barcelona from November 29 to December 1, the organisers have reported that visitor registration and pre-scheduled appointment numbers have surpassed 2019, reflecting a solid return to global business for the industry.

The number of pre-scheduled appointments at the flagship Barcelona show, which will focus on culture creation as its theme, are already ahead of 2019 figures representing the highest number of appointments per attendee than ever before. This number will increase further as diaries are now open, allowing exhibitors to send invites to buyers. A total of 60,000 pre-scheduled meetings are confirmed to take place over the three-day event.

Visitor registration is also tracking ahead of 2019. It is anticipated that there will be over 10,000 attendees at IBTM World 2022.

The three-day event also has a total of 2,200 exhibitors attending from more than 100 countries. These exhibitors represent 91 percent of the number of destinations that attended in 2019, making the IBTM World a truly global event experience once again.

More hotels are represented than in 2019, including Accor which will return after a long absence. IBTM World will welcome back Brazil, alongside its 20 stand partners, and Malaysia is returning after attending in 2021. Tokyo Convention & Visitor Bureau will attend with ten partners, including the Japan National Tourism Office and Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau, and will represent Japan which has recently reopened for business. New Zealand will have a significantly greater presence this year, and Bahrain has increased its participation to promote the new convention centre, Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre. On the tech side, Stova will be launching their new brand alongside a number of new key tech exhibitors.

A total of 2,200 corporate, association and agency buyers are due to attend IBTM World 2022, including representatives from the European Union of Medicine in Assurance and Social Security (EUMASS), Pfizer, COSMOPOLIS, International Stereoscopic Union, SAUDI Telecom Company, UNICEO (United Network of International Corporate Events Organisers), The British Pain Society, Maritz Global Events, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, citigroup inc., and CWT Meetings & Events.

“The big numbers we are seeing ahead of this year’s show demonstrate that the industry is ready to do business again on a global scale,” says David Thompson, event director, IBTM World. “This year we have an invigorated show with exciting new formats, exclusive buyer programmes and experiences and interactive knowledge programme sessions. We look forward to bringing the whole world together for three days of meetings, inspiration and connections.”