Vinexpo Asia- Pacific expected to break exhibitor and visitor records

By Erin Smith

Published: 14 February, 2014

This May's Vinexpo Asia-Pacific taking place in Hong Kong is expected to break exhibitor and visitor records.

Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2014 Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2014Vinexpo Asia-Pacific 2014

In total 1,300 exhibitors will be occupying 50% more floor space than any previous Vinexpo Asia-Pacific shows with 92% of the space now booked, far exceeding the 1,000 exhibitors that attended the last event in 2012.

Vinexpo said Hong Kong was seen as the wine and spirits gateway to China and the rest of Asia, which is making the event increasingly more important to global producers.

Guillaume Deglise, chief executive officer of Vinexpo, said: "Hong Kong has become an essential cog in the wheels of trade and distribution throughout Asia-Pacific."

Italy and Spain are increasing their investment in the event as they look to widen their distribution in Asia.

Italian producers are doubling their exhibition space and there will be a larger area dedicated to showing the different wine regions of Italy.

Spain is tripling its showcase area and will be offer three different regionally themed pavilions focusing on Rioja, La Mancha and Castilla-La-Mancha. Spain has grown in popularity in Asia due to the tapas style of eating that has become popular across the region.

Wine imports in to the Asia-Pacific have doubled since 2008 due to increased wine consumption in the area, a developing economy and the removal of import duties on wine.

Deglise said: "While the expo is obviously a way of gaining direct access to China, it also raises profiles in the emerging markets of South-East Asia. Bear in mind that 40% of wine consumed in Asia is outside China. The region also accounts for 61.5% of the world's spirits consumption."

Vin-Expo Asia Pacific will be held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre between May 27-29. For more information click here.

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