Why Italy:

Over 634,000 travelers from Italy visited the United States last year, staying an average of 13 nights and spending more than $1.2 billion or $2,990 per person. This makes the Italians some of the biggest international spenders (according to a source from the U.S. Commercial Service)!  Italians travelling to the United States increased by 13% in January 2008, continuing the growth patterns set in 2007.

Why Bit:

Breaking every record, Bit continues to stand out as the standard-setting tourism fair in Italy and the world. Italy’s top tourism event, Bit 2008 recorded: 155,000 total attendance (+3% over 2007); 108,500 were professional visitors and 20,500 of them came from abroad. The over 5,000 exhibiting companies came from 152 nations around the world. Bit’s unique exhibition concept meets the needs of all industry stakeholders, from travelers to trade professionals and tourist boards.

Why Discover America Pavilion:

Participation in branded U.S. Pavilions provides U.S. travel & tourism destinations and organizations with an in-country opportunity to interact face-to-face with their primary buyers through cost-effective participation alternatives. The Discover America brand serves as a unifying element for the whole industry; it positions and promotes the United States, and serves as a quality standard for representing U.S. travel & tourism interests abroad.

Discover America Pavilion Exhibitors are offered:

Sponsorship and promotional opportunities
Optional furniture, plants, equipment
Custom signage and graphics
Custom booths
On site labor
Booth staff and interpreters
Consolidated shipments
Hotel accommodations
VAT refund service