BERLIN – INTERNATIONAL TOURISM TRADE SHOW 2015
The ITB Berlin is the world’s largest travel trade show. The ITB took place from Wednesday, 4th March 2015 and came to an end on Sunday, 8th March 2015.
The International Tourism Bourse 2015 was able to retain its position as the world’s largest travel trade show. More than 10,000 exhibitors among them the Republic of South Sudan, from 186 countries participated at the tourism trade show, more than two-thirds of them were from abroad, and they were represented in 26 display halls which were fully booked. Overall, some 115,000 trade visitors (2014: 114,000) traveled to Berlin. The share of trade visitors from abroad increased to 43 % (2014: 40%). These visitors also remained longer at ITB Berlin because they did good business, with the average duration of a stay rising to 2.4 days (2014: 2.1 days). According to estimates by Messe Berlin the volume of sales at the world’s leading travel trade show increased from around 6.5 billion euros in 2014 to 6.7 billion euros.
In addition to the 127 foreign Delegations and three Royal Highnesses, 95 Ambassadors travelled to the event, 47 Ministers from foreign countries, 11 Deputy Ministers from abroad and a number of foreign State Secretaries were also present. Federal Foreign Minister Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Federal Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection, Mr. Heiko Maas and Governing Mayor of Berlin Mr. Michael Müller came to find out what the travel industry had to offer. The International Tourisms Bourse is a story of success „made in Berlin“. From the first beginnings in 1966 with only five participating countries as part of an overseas import trade fair, the ITB has since developed into a worldwide success.
The ITB covers all aspects of travel and tourism: Countries, tour operators, booking system developers, airlines, hotels and other businesses concerned with tourism present their ideas to not only introduce themselves but also to inspire wanderlust. ITB Berlin provided a great opportunity for the trade visitors to expand their contacts and do business. For all others paying a visit to the ITB Berlin, the fair is a great way to discover the whole world within a few hours.
Around 5,180 accredited journalists from 75 countries and some 350 bloggers from 29 countries reported on events at ITB Berlin. Politicians, Diplomats and Academics from Germany and abroad were present at the show.
From Wednesday to Friday exhibition was open to trade visitors only. Parallel with the trade show, the ITB Berlin Convention, the largest travel industry event of its kind in the world, was held from Wednesday, 4th March 2015 to Friday, 6th March 2015.
The Embassy got in contact with a variety of tour operators from different countries who would like to provide their services in the Republic of South Sudan. Some of them want to extend their tours from the neighboring countries into the Republic of South Sudan. All of them were pleased that the Republic of South Sudan presented a stand at the ITB.
On Thursday, 5th March and Saturday, 6th March 2015 the Embassy served South Sudanese food at the stand. Serving food to the visitors has been an excellent possibility to present the South Sudanese culture.
Rwanda received the award for best African exhibitor as well as the award for the “Best of the Best” at the exhibitor awards at ITB Berlin 2015. Winner in the category Europe became the Canary Islands.
The next ITB in Berlin will take place from Wednesday, 9th March to Sunday, 13th March 2016.
The Maldives will be the official partner country of the ITB 2016.