The Asian Attractions Expo 2009 will move to Seoul, South Korea, according to show organisers IAPPA.
One of the largest trade shows and conferences for the attractions industry in Asia, it will take place at the COEX Convention and Exhibition Centre in Seoul from June 10-12, 2009.
The recent success of the Asian Attractions Expo has been fuelled by the tremendous growth of the attractions industry in Asia, with PricewaterhouseCoopers predicting that by 2012, Asia’s amusement and theme park industry will entertain more than 290 million guests a year and annual revenues will grow 5.7 per cent, from US$6.4bn to $8.4bn.
Asia is the second fastest growing region of the industry and within the region China, Singapore and South Korea are hotbeds of amusement and theme park development.
According to Charles Bray, president and CEO of IAPPA, the move away from Macau, the current home to the expo, to Seoul will "provide a dynamic setting for Asian Attractions Expo 2009," thanks to the "combination of a contemporary cultural city like Seoul with the modern amenities of COEX."
Seoul has more than 600 years of history and is the world’s second-largest metropolitan area with over 11 million people. COEX is a state-of-the-art facility and the world’s 10th largest convention centre, conveniently located in the central business area of Seoul.
COEX is also home to Asia’s largest underground shopping mall, more than 200 restaurants, an aquarium and a casino, making it a primary destination for business, shopping and entertainment.
Bray added: "It is an exciting time for the industry in Asia and Seoul is the ideal site for our 2009 event."
