The three-day event, which took place from 2-4 October 2009, attracted 3,891 visitors, compared to 5,489 last September - yet APITS remain upbeat and are already taking bookings for 2010.
The organiser took over A Place in the Sun Live in November 2008 after previous owners, Brooklands, went into receivership.
Its managing director, Andy Bridge, said organisers need to keep exhibitor numbers in proportion to anticipated visitor attendance.
"The result was that 108 exhibitors had almost 4,000 visitors to share between them and that works; it works for the audience because the show is not too big or overwhelming, it works for exhibitors because there is less competition and plenty of visitors to go round."
Paul Owen, chief executive of industry body the Association of International Property Professionals, added: "We estimate that the overseas property market has fallen by between 50 and 70 per cent in the past two years."
"It was reassuring for all those at A Place in the Sun Live to see that buyers are coming back with serious plans to spend money again."
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