Large increases in numbers from Asia and the Arab states – Travel Technology Hall booked up since December – expansion reflects market developments in the travel industry
The prospects are excellent for ITB Berlin, as final preparations are being made for the 49th edition of the show that will take place from 4 to 8 March 2015. More than 10,000 exhibitors from around 190 countries and regions will be presenting their innovative products and services in the 26 display halls on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. Over 100,000 trade visitors are expected to attend the world’s largest travel trade show in order find out about all the tourism industry’s products and services at this year’s event. The focus is on the partner country Mongolia which will be organising the opening ceremonies on the eve of ITB Berlin and will be represented in several halls at the show. A Mongolian yurt will welcome visitors at the south entrance to the grounds. In Hall 26 visitors can find out about the wide range of travel products from the country’s stand which occupies a larger area than last year. They can also find out about sustainable tourism in Mongolia in Hall 4.1.
Dr. Martin Buck, director of the Competence Center Travel & Logistics, Messe Berlin: “Due to political and economic events such as the conflict in Ukraine and the financial crisis many destinations around the world are facing new challenges. Against this backdrop ITB Berlin has become an important networking platform and marketing instrument for exhibitors and trade visitors. As the world’s leading travel trade show it accurately reflects economic developments in this sector.”
Large numbers of exhibitors from Asia and the Middle East
Demand for places from the Arab states has been extremely high and unable to be fulfilled in every case. Halls 5.2a and 5.2b were booked up at an early stage. India is among the countries occupying an entire hall again. Afghanistan is making its return to ITB Berlin. Bangladesh and Gilgit-Baltistan, a hiking destination in Pakistan, are newcomers to the show. Iran is becoming increasing popular as a tourism destination and for the first time has its own Hall (7.2a).
As in 2013 at ITB Berlin, Asian countries are well represented in the display halls, with the exception of Russia which has reported a few cancellations due to the weak rouble. The Central Asian countries (previously in Hall 7.2a) have now moved to Hall 2.1, alongside Russia and the USA.
Brazil and Argentina, where tourism is booming, are increasingly making their way onto the market and this year are represented in larger numbers than at any previous ITB Berlin. Brazil can be found in three separate locations: in Hall 4.1 (Eco Tourism, Adventure Travel), Hall 3.1 (LGBT) and with a large combined national display in Hall 1.1. Visitors can find out more about Argentina on the country’s stand in Hall 1.1 as well as in the LGBT section in Hall 3.1. Exhibitors from Africa are also strongly represented in all areas at the fair.
Newcomers and new hall and stand concepts reflect travel market trends
The Turkish Village is a newcomer to Hall 3.1, where tourist boards, tour operators (including first-time exhibitors novissima Touristic, Suay Tour and Afrodit Tour) as well as those representing the culture and wellness segments are gathered under one roof. Poland has a new stand concept and in Hall 15.1 is exhibiting a concentrated display of its new products.
Around 45 exhibitors are representing the Netherlands at ITB Berlin in Hall 10.2 on a display area covering 280 square metres, larger than in any previous year. The Benelux countries can be found as one group in Hall 10.2, with Belgium, Flanders, the Netherlands, and for the first time Luxembourg, which was previously in Hall 18. Italy is exhibiting the entire range of its tourism products in Hall 1.2 where, on a display are covering 700 square metres, ENIT is represented with numerous Italian regions and exhibitors.
Hall 14.1 has been completely reorganised. This is where hotels, car hire companies, tour operators and many other companies from Berlin are showcasing their latest products. Hall 9, which features hotels, is all the more attractive now that, following an absence, the premium brands Hilton and Hyatt are returning to ITB Berlin. Hall 8.1 welcomes a newcomer, Meeting Masters, one of Germany’s leading MICE portals, as does Hall 18, where Lidl-Reisen is represented. Verband der Fährschifffahrt, Warner Brothers und Greenland Travel are now back at the show.
Hall 11.1 focuses on careers in tourism, and with 40 exhibitors from eight countries now has an even more international appeal. Germany’s National Job Centre is operating a central placement service for jobs abroad. Emirates Academy, hoteleducation.ch and Sixt are newcomers to the show and are advising job seekers in their role as employers.
The range of travel technology products and services continues to grow apace and at ITB Berlin this is one of the largest and internationally most diverse displays anywhere in the world. For the first time the Chinese companies Baidu and Qunar and a joint display of Italian startups are exhibiting at the show.
Rounding off this segment is the eTravel World, with displays devoted to digital marketing, social media and mobile travel services. The toolsLounge, the new meeting place for the digital economy, is also booked up. Leading eTravel market players such as Projektron GmbH, Seneca Business Software GmbH, Schober Information Group Deutschland GmbH, proventis GmbH, United Planet GmbH and Insecia GmbH are showcasing their web-based software solutions for the international travel industry at ITB Berlin for the first time
