MITT - the Moscow International Travel & Tourism Exhibition was launched in 1994, to meet the needs of the industry, as the Russian market began to open up to the rest of the world. Even in its first year, MITT set the mould for its future development when it was given the WATA (World Association of Travel Agencies) Award for the Best Tourism Show of the Year. MITT has gained international recognition with official support from the Ministry of Sports and Tourism, the Government of Moscow and associations around the world including ETTFA (European Tourism Trade Fairs Association) and the WTO (World Tourism Organisation). In 2000 MITT was also given UFI (Union des Foires Internationales) accreditation adding yet more weight to MITT's international standing. "In 1994, MITT was launched as the first international travel event in Moscow. Since then it has grown and developed to become the definitive travel exhibition for Russia and the CIS. Despite the economic problems in recent years, the travel industry is booming and there is renewed positivity for the future of the industry in Russia and MITT as the key business forum. ITE Travel Exhibitions strives to develop the exhibition and bring new initiatives every year, continually improving the service to our exhibitors and visitors," says David Hammond, Director of ITE Travel Exhibitions With over 100 countries represented by some 2000 exhibiting companies at MITT 2001, there is no doubt that MITT still dominates the travel exhibition market in Russia. It offers the best service to both exhibitors and trade visitors, of which over 65,000 registered at MITT 2001. MITT is not just an exhibition, but a travel experience incorporating social events, seminars and conferences, presentations by exhibitors and the prestigious Russian Travel Awards presented during MITT in conjunction with TTG Russia. MITT 2002 takes place from 27-30 March 2002 at the Krasnaya Presnya Exhibition Centre in Moscow.