
A few weeks after the FRUIT LOGISTICA, Berlin is shaping up to receive the world again at the world’s largest travel trade show from 7 March to 9 March.
The International Tourism Exchange (ITB) brings together travel enthusiasts, travel and hotel professionals as well as countries from all continents vying to show-case their tourism potentials.
Under the theme “Open for Change”, the 2023 ITB will, for the first time, be reserved exclusively for trade visitors.
Visitors to the ITB will also be treated to the renowned ITB Berlin Convention.
The ITB is also environmentally conscious hence the concept of Responsible Tourism which stands for international environmentally and socially responsible tourism.
A number of traditionally numerous exhibitors, housed in Hall 4.1, who are particularly committed to socially responsible tourism development.
Other exhibitors at ITB 2023 include Tourism Watch, the Roundtable for Human Rights in Tourism, ECPAT Germany, the Code and the Tourism and Development Studies (Studienkries für Tourismus und Entwicklung).
The Import Promotion Desk (IPD), the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and UNESCO will also take their stand at the ITB.
ITB, the world’s largest travel and trade show is an exciting travel trade exposition for all its visitors. It is a venue that brings together key players on environmentally friendly tourism such as My Climate, Atmosfair and Forum Anders Reisen.
According to the organizers, the ITB Lighthouse Stage in Hall 4.1 from 7 to 9 March will be the 18th “Green Business Forum for Tourism Professionals”.
Topics at this year’s ITB to be highlighted by internationally renowned experts from all sectors of tourism, business and science will be discussing topics such as over tourism, marine protection and pollution, regional food in hotels and restaurants, biodiversity, alternative mobility and cycle tourism.
At the Responsible Tourism Track, the Orange Stage in Hall 7.1a will among other things, take stock of the 2030 Agenda with its 17 sustainable development goals.
Debates at the sessions will centre around how the tourism industry can keep its environmental promises and at the same time develop into a more equitable sector. The sessions will also chart the way forward with scientific contributions and critical panel discussions underpinned with best practices.
The Minister of Tourism of the Maldives, Mr Abdulla Mausoom, will talk on the topic of climate change, rising sea levels and resilience.
MESSE Berlin, the organizers of the ITB have strenuously upgraded facilities at the fair and exhibition grounds to one of the most modern locations for event organization.
Notable among the facilities is the newly-build multifunctional hall known as Hub27 where the “destination hot spot” will be held in the fully-booked hall.
In Hub27, the official partner country of the ITB, Georgia, will show-case its tourism potentials.
On the eve of the Trade Show (6 March 2023), Georgian culture under the motto, “Infinite Hospitality” will take the centre-stage at the official opening gala. Guests would have a taste of Georgia’s wide-ranging cultural and historic attractions.
The official opening show will revolve around the leitmotif “Infinite Georgian culture – from the viticulture to modern avantgarde art”.
Masterpieces of Georgian performing arts from various genres including ethno jazz, classical as well as electronic music, polyphonic singing as well as the Georgian National Ballet.
Activities lined up at the ITB will be highlighted at the opening press conference on 6 March 2023 with the Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Mr Levan Davitashvili, dropping hints on what his country can offer.
As ITB Partner Country, Georgia has acquired around 705-square.metre exhibition stand in the ultra-modern Hub27. A total of 80 suppliers from the travel industry, hotel sector and aviation will present themselves on two floors.
Following tradition during official opening of ITB, the ceremonial “ribbon cutting” will be performed jointly by the Prime Minister of Georgia, the Governing Mayor of Berlin, the Secretary General of the United Nations World Travel Organization (UNWTO) and the Managing Director of Messe Berlin.
Africa will have a strong presence at the 2023 ITB. Representatives from South Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius, Reunion, the Seychelles, Botswana, Ghana, the Gambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Zanzibar and Zambia will highlight their tourism potentials in Hall 21 which is completely reserved for sub-Saharan countries.
Other African countries like Ethiopia, Rwanda, Guinea and Senegal will be in Hall 22.
About ITB Berlin and the ITB Berlin Convention
Since 1966, ITB Berlin has been the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show. The ITB Berlin convention is the world’s largest travel industry event of its kind. In 2022 it took place as a virtual event on the brand’s website itb.com and registered 60,700 attendees from 125 countries who took part in more than 100 sessions featuring 223 speakers. Taking place on one day, the Digital Business Day gave 2,500 attendees from 96 countries an opportunity to exchange views and do business virtually from anywhere in the world. International attendance was high, with 78 per cent of buyers and providers taking part from abroad. A total of 20,000 business contacts were made, resulting in 14,000 leads and 3,200 business meetings being arranged. As a virtual industry platform, the Digital Business Day augmented the ITB brand family and rounded off the trade show concept. In 2022, under the heading ’TRVLX by ITB’, ITB Berlin is planning a series of B2B networking events in European markets – the kick-off event will take place in May in Georgia. Before the pandemic at ITB 2019, around 10,000 exhibitors from 181 countries displayed their products and services to some 160,000 visitors, including 113,500 trade visitors. Additional information is available at www.itb.com and from the ITB Social Media Newsroom.