ITB Berlin opens tomorrow (5 March) with its exhibition space booked up and the number of international trade visitors to rise significantly.
More than 10,000 exhibitors ranging from tourism boards to technology firms will be hoping to secure more business during the next five days, from both the trade and then to consumers at the weekend.
Last year international trade visitation made up 40% of numbers and is expected to increase further this year particularly with more exhibitors from Asia, India and Arab countries.
While the destination areas are most popular at the show, organisers have also seen an increase in the technology, LGBT, adventure and sustainable travel halls.
New events at the show this year include the ITB Summit being held today with a speech from Facebook’s head of travel Lee McCabe, and the ITB Innovators area that will display 100 product demonstrations.
Its convention programme will include a keynote speech by the co-director of Slumdog Millionaire Loveleen Tandan about the potential of slums, war zones and ‘extreme regions’ as tourism destinations; CLIA president and CEO Christine Duffy on the cruise market and the president of Six Senses Bernhard Bohnenberger will discuss the luxury market.
Dr. Christian Göke, CEO, Messe Berlin GmbH said: “ITB Berlin mirrors the entire value-added chain of the international tourism industry and boasts the world’s largest attendance of international exhibitors from all parts of the globe.”
Next year the show will move from the ICC to the new CityCube complex.
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