From 9 to 13 March 2011 a total of 11,163 exhibiting companies and organizations (2010: 11,127) from 188 countries (2010: 187) will be presenting their products and the latest travel trends at the 45th ITB Berlin (Internationale Tourismus Börse). All available space has again been booked up at the world’s leading travel trade show, which is expecting some 100,000 trade visitors and 60,000 members of the general public to attend. They will be able to obtain details about the entire range of the value-added chain in tourism in 26 halls covering an area of 160,000 square meters.

The Baltic area will be represented by more than 160 exhibitors. Finland alone sent over 50 exhibiting companies and organizations to Germany’s capital.

Egypt and Tunisia will also be present at ITB Berlin, to enable their own tourism industries to make their preparations following the recent political turmoil. The consequences for tourism of the political unrest in the Arab world will also be discussed at the ITB Berlin Convention. Dr. Christian Göke, Chief Operating Officer of Messe Berlin: “Once again the demand from exhibitors has exceeded the area available at ITB Berlin. All the leading market contributors are meeting on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. The international travel industry is expecting some record figures at 2011. The driving force comes from emerging markets in Asia, Central America and Eastern Europe, whose exhibitors will be using ITB Berlin to draw attention to themselves.”

Adventure tours and eco-tourism are among the fastest growing markets in the tourism sector, a trend accurately mirrored by events at ITB Berlin. In the Trends & Events Hall (4.1) a total of 123 tour operators, tourism boards and organisations representing 31 countries are presenting their latest Adventure Eco, Youth Travel and Economy Accommodation products, with information on expeditions, diving holidays and nature tours, as well as sustainable tourism.

Foto: ITB topic 2011 - Mongolia