March 10, 2016 TnH Global

ITB Berlin 2016: Show provides strong economic boost to calm fears

Over the last half-century ITB Berlin has had a decisive impact on tourism, and on the eve of its fiftieth anniversary it enjoys an excellent standing. From March 9th-13th around 10,000 exhibitors from 187 countries and territories will be exhibiting the latest products and trends of the global tourism industry on 1,069 stands.

Over two-thirds of the exhibitors are from abroad. The organisers expect around 100,000 international trade visitors and public attendance to reach tens of thousands on the weekend. They will be able to obtain an overview of the industry’s wide range of products in 26 halls. The ITB Buyers Circle gathers travel buyers from Europe, Asia, America, Africa and Australia, more than 40 per cent of whom do business in the order of about 50 million Euros each.

Exhibitors will be able to meet new buyers at the ITB Speed Networking event, or international bloggers at the Blogger Speed Dating event on March 10th-11th respectively in the CityCube. The Maldives is the official partner country of ITB Berlin 2016. With its glistening white beaches, turquoise lagoons and unrivalled diving opportunities, this island nation is a nature paradise, and one of the last on the planet.

Situated in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives has been exhibiting at ITB Berlin since 1984 and is a model of eco-friendly and carefully controlled tourism development. The country will host a spectacular reception at the opening ceremony on the eve of the show. During the event around 260 exhibitors will be presenting the many products and services of this year-round sunshine destination on an enlarged stand in Hall 5.2 which now occupies 200 square metres.

Christian Göke, chief executive, Messe Berlin: “We are delighted with the consistently high numbers of exhibitors, particularly from abroad, at the anniversary edition of ITB Berlin, which once again will provide outstanding opportunities for global business.

“In the face of terrorist attacks at popular travel destinations and palpable consumer fears the industry needs a strong boost to kick-start the travel season. “ITB Berlin is the industry’s leading marketplace and as the meeting place of the global travel industry can set the tone for change.

“Over the next three days one thousand of the world’s most senior buyers will gather for the ITB Buyers Circle in order to negotiate deals and do business. “At the ITB Convention we will be discussing the challenges currently facing us and providing some initial answers. “Thus, under the heading of Travel 4.0, debate will not only focus on the digital transformation of business processes in travel enterprises.

“Experts will also be highlighting the impact the global flow of refugees will have on tourism and how they can be integrated as a workforce and with their skills into many areas of employment.”

News Source: breakingtravelnews.com