Bit 2014 – the International Tourism Exchange – has closed its doors on another successful year and confirmed its key role for the market, as well aso its undisputed importance for networking in the tourism sector.

The numbers at this 34th Bit exhibition speak for themselves: 62,170 people attended, and this is even more significant considering that the exhibition was held over just three days this year, rather than the usual four, with trade professionals concentrated in the first two days and the public being admitted only on Saturday.

“Given the results of this year’s exhibition, Bit has clearly shown that it plays a key role in Italy’s tourism sector,” declared Marco Serioli, Exhibitions Division Director at Fiera Milano S.p.A., in his winding-up speech. “We are very pleased indeed with the improvement in quality. The standard of exhibitors and buyers this year was very high, and the number of buyers almost doubled, thanks to the intensive scouting work done by Bit. The close links and synergies with EXPO also proved to be a decisive factor, enabling us to interpret the signs of recovery now emerging on the markets in the best possible way”.

Another important factor in the success of Bit 2014 was the calendar, jam-packed with training and information events: about 3,600 trade professionals took part in more than 70 events.

Exhibitors attended from more than 100 countries. Italian trade professionals attended the fair in massive numbers of and there was great interest from their international counterparts, representing areas with more dynamic economies. Here, Bit confirmed its role as the key event for the European and Mediterranean area, as well as Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas.

Over 1,000 international hosted buyers attended, and met the sellers in more than 20,400 business matches in the booths (5% more than at the previous fair), a result of the new Business to Business concept which was enthusiastically received by trade professionals.

Over 750 special meetings were arranged between companies associated with Expo2015 and international trade professionals, generating a considerable number of agreements, only part of the decisive springboard effect that Expo is having on the entire Italian tourism sector.

The dates for the next exhibition have already been set. Bit 2015 will be staged at the Fieramilano fairground in Rho from February 12-14, 2015.

BIT, bit.fieramilano.it