OPENING OF THE INTERNATIONAL TOURISM FAIR (ITB) IN BERLIN
On Tuesday the 8th March 2016 the International Tourism Fair (ITB) opened with a reception for invited guests. H.E. Sitona Abdalla Osman, the diplomats working at the Embassy and Mr. Baak Baak Ruonrach, adviser to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, attended the reception. The public opening of the tourism fair followed on Wednesday the 9th March 2016.
The ITB takes places annually in Berlin and is one of the world’s largest tourism fairs. This year’s partner country was the Maldives. The trade fair closed on Sunday the 13th March 2016. The Embassy represented South Sudan at its booth to convey a positive image of the country and to help build the nascent tourism industry in South Sudan.
The Embassy also organized and participated in diverse events at the ITB.
On Thursday the 10th March 2016 the Embassy organized a reception at its booth where Ambassadors and friends of South Sudan were invited to come for food and networking.
A similar reception was held on Saturday the 12th March 2016 for the public.
Due to the adherence of the Republic of South Sudan the East African Community (EAC) the Embassy participated in an event with the Ambassadors of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania on Sunday the 13th March 2016.The event consisted of a private interview session with the Ambassadors. After that a speech that was open to the public was also given.
Mr. Baak Baak Ruonrach, adviser to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, went back to South Sudan after the closure of the event on Sunday the 13th March 2016.
In conclusion it was a very successful event for the Embassy. The Embassy’s booth was well visited by the public and several tour operators and the Embassy achieved to raise awareness about South Sudan as a tourist destination among the German public and also among tour operators interested in business opportunities