Berlin, 28 February 2026
The anniversary edition of ITB Berlin, taking place from March 3-5, 2026, will open on March 2 with an opening gala featuring this year’s guest country, Angola. Official speeches, cultural performances, and visual presentations will offer insights into the rich heritage, vibrant culture, and breathtaking natural beauty of the destination.
The rhythm of Angola will set the tone for the opening of ITB Berlin’s 60th anniversary: With a colourful show program featuring dances, Angolan music, and other cultural elements, the official guest country will open the world’s leading B2B tourism trade fair on March 2, 2026. Under the motto “The Rhythm of Life,” approximately 700 to 800 invited guests from politics, the tourism industry, media, and international institutions can expect an artistic journey through the southwestern African nation.
High-ranking representatives from politics and the international tourism industry are expected to attend the opening, including Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin; Dr. Christopher Ploß, Coordinator of the Federal Government for Maritime Business and Tourism; Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC); and Shaikha Nasser Alnuwais, Secretary-General of UN Tourism. Dr. Mario Tobias, Chairman of the Board of Management of Messe Berlin, will represent ITB Berlin. The evening will be hosted by H.E. Márcio Daniel, Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Angola, and H.E. José de Lima Massano, Minister of State of the Republic of Angola.
“We are delighted to be the official Guest of Honor country at ITB Berlin 2026. This partnership offers a unique opportunity to showcase Angola’s cultural diversity, natural beauty, and unique character on one of the most important international platforms,” stated H.E. Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Angola. “With our new brand identity, ‘Visit Angola – The Rhythm of Life,’ we not only want to showcase how vibrant and authentic Angola is, but also invite the international travel industry to experience the country’s rhythm with all their senses.”
“Being able to present Angola as the Guest of Honour country on the international stage of ITB Berlin 2026 is a special privilege for us,” says Julia Kleber, CEO of the KLEBER GROUP and official representative of the Angola Tourism Board. “The country unites powerful natural landscapes – from dramatic coastlines and vast deserts to impressive waterfalls and ancient rock formations. The Rhythm of Life embodies this energy, diversity, and openness. We are all the more delighted and proud to showcase Angola as an authentic new destination in global tourism.”
A Cultural Journey from Tradition to Modernity
The Opening Gala puts Angola’s cultural identity in the spotlight: The concept “Travessia – From Traditional to Modern,” developed specifically for the evening, is designed as a sequence of artistic moments that lead from the country’s musical origins to a contemporary interpretation.
The starting point is the Dikanza, played by Dr. Raul Tolingas, a leading figure in traditional Angolan music. Its rhythm permeates the entire performance and represents memory, cultural heritage, and the oral transmission of history. Congas, guitars, and percussion build upon this foundation. A young musician continues the rhythmic line – symbolizing the dialogue between generations. The distinctive guitar solos of Dr. Teddy Nsingui lend their melodic signature to the musical narrative before piano and violin mark the transition to the present. Traditional styles such as Semba, Rebita, and Rumba unfold in a contemporary interpretation.
The transition from tradition to the present is also evident in the choreography: Folkloric elements merge into a contemporary visual language, bringing Angola’s cultural diversity to life. Large-scale LED installations carry this artistic narrative throughout the evening, vividly portraying the country’s landscapes and moods – from the Kalandula Waterfalls to the vast Namib Desert and the Atlantic coast. In this way, a production unfolds that showcases Angola’s cultural heritage, the transmission of tradition, and its creative dynamism on the international stage.
Culinary Delights as an Expression of Identity
The evening’s culinary offerings also reflect the guiding principle of the Guest of Honour presentation: Michelin-starred Angolan chef Helt Araújo interprets traditional ingredients in a contemporary way, translating the country’s flavors, colors, and textures into a modern menu.
About Angola
Angola is one of the world’s last great adventures – a hidden gem in southwest Africa, captivating visitors with its pristine nature, rich culture, and astonishing diversity. As the sixth-largest country on the African continent, Angola combines spectacular landscapes – from lush rainforests to endless deserts – with a rich history shaped by the Kingdom of the Congo and the Portuguese colonial legacy. The capital, Luanda, the gateway to the Atlantic, is a melting pot of African, Portuguese, and indigenous influences, with a vibrant urban life and a lively music and dance culture. With its new slogan, “Visit Angola – The Rhythm of Life,” the destination presents itself as an authentic travel destination for explorers, nature lovers, and culture enthusiasts. Those seeking to experience Africa off the beaten track will find truly new territory here – full of emotion, rhythm, and authenticity.
About ITB Berlin, the ITB Berlin Convention, and ITB 360°
ITB Berlin 2026 will take place from Tuesday to Thursday, March 3–5, as a trade-only event. Since 1966, ITB Berlin has been the world’s leading travel trade show and will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2026 under the motto “Discover the stories behind 60 years of legacy.” The ITB Berlin Convention, themed “Leading Tourism into Balance,” will feature 400 top speakers from business, academia, and politics discussing current and future industry challenges across 17 thematic tracks on four stages. At ITB Berlin 2025, 5,800 exhibitors from over 170 countries and regions presented their products and services to nearly 100,000 attendees. As a year-round and globally present innovation hub, ITB Berlin offers the worldwide tourism community valuable insights throughout the year with ITB 360° in the form of specialist articles, podcast episodes and other innovative formats.
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