We speak to Simon Mayle, Marketing Manager of both International Luxury Travel Mart in Cannes and International Luxury Travel Mart Asia – held annually in Shanghai.

ILTM events are the leading 'by invitation only' showcase for the global luxury travel community, and bring together the world's most sought after collection of experiences for the most discerning  travel buyers.

L&S: How would you best describe the crux of ILTM Asia?
SM: ILTM Asia has been exclusively created for Asia Pacific buyers, planners and designers of luxury travel experiences to meet directly with the world’s leading luxury travel suppliers.
The level of expansion across the Asia Pacific region, together with the relative youth of many of the specific markets, has created a still more significant leading role for ILTM Asia.

L&S: What are some key highlights at ILTM Asia 2011?
SM: More than 400 suppliers will cover the complete range of luxury travel at the event, from ultra-luxurious destinations to hidden islands, secluded spas and private yachts and much more with many new additions to the 2011 line-up.

New exhibitors for 2011 includes Song Saa Private Island in Cambodia, Regent Global Holdings, Fijian Tourism, Orient Express Hotels and The Chateau Spa & Organic Wellness Resort in Malaysia, plus a host of returning exhibitors including Maybourne Hotel Group, Abercrombie & Kent and Australia’s Wilderness Safaris.

Further ideas and innovation in luxury travel can be found in the ILTM Asia Ultratravel Forum and newly introduce Educational Seminars.

L&S: How is the industry as a whole performing today in comparison to 2009?
SM: There is an ultimate element of truth in the statement that the luxury travel industry is relatively resilient from recession. However, whilst luxury travellers are happy to pay a high price, there is no question that today’s high - end consumers ‘shop around’ to ensure they are getting value for money.

The luxury travel industry is entering a new era – gone is the traditional luxury traveller – a designer clad westerner of a certain age. Today’s high end tourist is not only learning more about where they want to go via increasingly intrinsic promotional tools such as social media or word of mouth, they are exploring the unique and the experiential – adventure, giving back to local communities, taking part in indigenous community development and so on. These and other high-end experiences are ensuring the luxury travel industry in increasingly buoyant as we enter a new decade.

L&S: As ILTM Asia is by invitation only, what steps are taken to ensure that relevant exhibitors and buyers qualify to attend?
SM: The Asia Pacific region continues to expand rapidly, driven by strong economic growth in China and already established luxury travel markets such as Australia and Japan - the community is varied with dense areas of high net worth individuals from some of the regions’ most dynamic cities.

At the heart of ILTM Asia’s success lies its dedication to identifying the finest VIP luxury travel buyers from across the breadth of the region who, in order to secure their place among Asia-Pacific’s buying elite, must have a proven track record with international luxury travel providers and future business to place with the exhibitors taking part in the 2011 event.

With Asia Pacific travellers increasingly seeking destinations further afield, international suppliers seeking invitations to take part are significant: 20% of the exhibitors last year were new to the event - introducing authentic and indigenous experiences from across the spectrum of global luxury travel, each providing references and evidence of their market to ensure the highest of standards.

L&S: What are some emerging luxury travel markets to take note of:
SM: Off-the-beaten track South America and stargazing in Africa, in particular for the Asia Pacific traveller, are two markets worth taking note of.

Ethiopia and Malawi are definitely two growth destinations. The new resort of Kaya Mawa on Lake Malawi features one room on its own Island – a true Robinson Crusoe experience and Ethiopia is still a raw and untouched treasure.

There is also a major growth in elite products from South America, from Punta del Este in Uruguay and Cartagena in Colombia to the more popular countries of Argentina, Brazil & Peru with some truly incredibly experiences from aqua expeditions into the most remote & preserved areas of the Peruvian Amazon to a new luxury lodge in the Mashpi Rainforest opening in 2011.

Essentially and unsurprisingly, eco-luxury travel is here to stay and it is also true to say that luxury travellers will also want to know that wherever they stay, the properties have a CSR programme and are acting responsibly within their communities.

ILTM Asia will be held in Shanghai from 13th to 16th June 2011, while ILTM will be held from 5th to 8th December in Cannes. For more information visit ILTM and ILTM Asia respectively.