ITB Berlin concludes leaving a positive outlook to the participants about future of the travel and tourism industry. Despite a slowdown in the world economy, demand within the world’s travel industry remains extremely stable.
The main highlight of ITB Berlin was the rise in the number of participants to 113,500, a three per cent increase compared with last year, underlining the fact that even in times of widespread uncertainty due to geopolitical and economic events such as Brexit and trade conflicts, ITB Berlin has retained its position as the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show.
”ITB Berlin is of great importance, particularly in times of widespread uncertainty. Even in a digitalised world, it is not possible for hi-tech communications to replace the confidence-building measure that face-to-face meetings and a direct exchange between business partners on issues concerning the global industry represent. That is why ITB Berlin functions”, said Christian Goke, CEO of Messe Berlin.
The sustained dynamic growth in all areas of the industry in Germany is due once again to the positive situation in the employment market and a generally buoyant mood among consumers. For Germany as a travel destination, booming domestic tourism is welcome news. As regards the global outlook, the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) forecasts that this year international arrivals will increase in the order of three to four per cent.
Michael Frenzel, president of the Federal Association of the German Tourism Industry (BTW) said that ITB Berlin once again justified its role as the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show.
“Naturally, there was a focus on many successful business deals and the release of the latest industry figures and subsequent discussions. Happily, people remain eager to travel and the industry is well-equipped to meet the demand. All these things give us hope that despite the somewhat gloomy economic outlook, 2019 will be a good year for the tourism industry,” said Frenzel
According to Norbert Fiebig, president of the German Travel Association (DRV) ITB Berlin is the World’s Leading Tourism Trade Show.
“This year, it was great to see Berlin becoming the main international and cosmopolitan meeting place of the tourism industry once again. The German travel industry is optimistic about business in a year that will present us with a number of challenges,” said Fiebig.
Trade visitors and exhibitors alike were extremely satisfied with ITB Berlin 2019. In a survey they gave ITB Berlin top marks for innovation. The trade show celebrated the successful launch of the Technology, Tours & Activities (TTA) segment, among others. Internationally, the ITB success story continues.
This year the number of high-ranking international speakers broke records. The CityCube Berlin, its new venue, was also very well received. Topics focused on by the convention included over-tourism, sustainability and climate change, the shift in customer demands particularly in the luxury travel market, and the topic of Future Mobility.
On Saturday and Sunday many members of the public came to the 26 display halls on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds to find out about products and gain inspiration. In the opinion of Christian Goke, in Germany the healthy situation in the employment market and the positive consumer mood among the country’s citizens is a guarantee that demands for travel products will remain stable.
Between 6 and 10 March 2019 over 10,000 exhibitors from 181 countries and regions displayed their products and services to visitors in 26 halls. The next ITB Berlin will take place from Wednesday, 4 to Sunday, 8 March 2020.
