ITB Berlin 2011: Increased numbers of international buyers boost world’s leading market place for the travel industry.
Approx. 170.000 visitors at the world’s leading trade show for the international travel industry - Orders with a volume in excess of six billion Euros and a good mood among exhibitors - Over 40 per cent of buyers from abroad - Record attendance at ITB Berlin Convention - Some 7.000 journalists from 94 countries accredited.
The 45th ITB Berlin came to a close after attracting a significantly larger number of buyers from abroad and the best exhibitor figures ever. Despite the rail strike the leading international trade show for the travel industry reported that trade visitor numbers remained stable at last year’s level. The good volume of business at the trade show provided an additional boost to the current upturn in the tourism sector.
Dr. Christian Göke, Chief Operating Officer of Messe Berlin, was able to look back on a successful event: “Each year ITB Berlin attracts growing numbers of international decision-makers. Nowadays over 40 per cent of buyers come from abroad. As a result ITB Berlin can not only claim the most balanced and international range of exhibitors but it is also the industry’s most international event in terms of its trade visitors. These are the ideal prerequisites for business success, and we believe that exhibitors achieved a significantly larger volume of business than they did last year, with a value of over six billion Euros.”
The countries of North Africa used this industry meeting place to re-stimulate the vital tourism sector. Egypt introduced a new advertising campaign that focuses on the peaceful democratisation process taking place in the country. The Japanese earthquake and tsunami cast a shadow over the otherwise extremely positive mood in the 26 exhibition halls. From midday Saturday onwards the Japan stand was closed.
11.163 exhibiting companies and organisations from 188 countries (2010: 11.127 from 187 countries) again presented the entire spectrum of the international travel industry from 9 to 13 March. The presentations and seminars at the “eTravel World”, a new feature this year, attracted several thousand interested participants and proved to be a complete success. At 110.791 the number of trade visitors remained stable. Despite the fact that the weekend provided a first taste of spring, with bright sunshine, large numbers of people from Berlin and Brandenburg flocked to the exhibition halls. Initial projections revealed that some 60.000 members of the general public (2010: 68.398) took this opportunity to learn first hand about destinations in 188 countries.
Major success for partner country Poland
