"In terms of quality and volume the ITB Berlin 2007 continues to
strengthen its position as the world's leading marketing platform for
the travel industry. For example, over the past five days the industry
has been able to form a picture of the changes that will take place in
global demand as a result of climate change. At the same time the
Berlin Exhibition Grounds were the background to an excellent level of
business, providing the basis for commercial success in 2007." These
were the entirely positive conclusions drawn by Dr. Christian Goke,
COO of Messe Berlin.
Each year the ITB Berlin becomes an even more international event.
Whereas in 2003 approximately one third of all trade visitors came to
Berlin from abroad, this year they accounted for 43 per cent of the
total, a further two per cent rise over the previous year. However,
the world's largest travel trade show did not only set new records for
the number of exhibitors: 10,923 companies from 184 countries
presented the latest products and services from the travel industry
(previous year: 10,856 companies from 183 countries). The number of
trade visitors broke the 100,000 barrier for the first time. Between
Wednesday and Friday 108,735 trade visitors were recorded, a 15 per
cent rise. (2006: 94,553 trade visitors). The ITB Convention Market
Trends & Innovations proved to be a major attraction, with
participation up by a quarter and a total of more than 9,000 trade
visitors. On Saturday 68,419 members of the general public came in
search of ideas for their next vacation, compared with the 68,270 who
attended on the Friday afternoon and the weekend at last year's ITB
Berlin. Over the five days of this trade show the halls on the Berlin
Exhibition Grounds were visited by a total of 177,154 visitors.
BTW and DRV: Summit meeting for the trade sector
Klaus Laepple, President of the National Association of the German
Tourism Industry (BTW) and President of the German Tour Operators' and
Travel Agents' Association (DRV) summed up as follows: "As the world's
top event for the travel industry the ITB was a massive success. As
the figures clearly reveal, there were substantially more trade
visitors compared with last year. The ITB can justifiably carry the
designation International, because the proportion of foreign visitors
rose again this year. Exhibitors were positive in their assessments of
this event too. They are thoroughly satisfied, reporting on many new
customers and plenty of contracts. The ITB provides the general public
with a unique opportunity to learn about the attractions and
advantages of the most varied range of countries and regions in a
concentrated form, all at one location, and to obtain suggestions
about their next holidays. The partner country, India, made the best
possible use of the ITB in order to gain the maximum publicity and to
highlight its potential as a destination for vacationers and business
travellers alike. Encouraged by such positive signs the travel
industry is expecting a successful year for tourism. Tour operators
and travel agencies are confident that last year's positive trend will
be continued and that the travel sector will finish the year with
further increases."
Positive response by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
Francesco Frangialli, Secretary General of the World Tourism
Organization (UNWTO) emphasised the particular importance of the ITB
Berlin for the development of climate protection strategies:
"ITB 2007 was a landmark event at which the industry began to
support our call for a proactive global strategy to respond
constructively to the new demands of climate change without
compromising on the basic challenge of using tourism as a tool to
fight poverty. And we at UNWTO will respond in turn to the need and
report back on progress at every ITB going forward. We are confident
that by 2015 - the target date of the Millennium Development Goals -
we will be able to show real progress on both fronts."
Spotlight on the partner country, India
India already occupies a strong position within global tourism as
a destination for business travellers and tourists. Due to its
political stability, a strong economy and an increasingly favourable
climate for business and investment there are excellent prospects for
an increase in tourism. During the ITB Berlin the subcontinent
highlighted a wide range of offers and numerous promotional campaigns.
On the evening prior to the start of the trade show India organised a
spectacular opening ceremony featuring the country's many diverse
aspects. Giriraj Singh Kushwaha, European Director, India Tourism: "We
are very happy with everything. Our exhibitors are reporting very good
business, better than at last year's event. Tour operators are
displaying an enormous amount of interest. Our appearance as partner
country at the ITB Berlin was a thoroughgoing success. I can state
this on behalf of my Minister of Tourism and Culture, Ambika Soni,
too. We were also very satisfied with the organisational arrangements
made by Messe Berlin. A great deal of media interest has been
generated. In Germany too India is "in". During the weekend the ITB is
much busier and louder than during the trade visitors' days. We want
and need the general public, our tourists. We are now expecting a
record number of visitors to India in 2007."
ITB Berlin as a meeting place for the media and politics
The ITB Berlin is an international media event. In addition to
international news agencies it was also attended by some 8,000
journalists from 91 countries (previous year: 85 countries).
In accordance with the new arrangement the next ITB Berlin 2008
will take place from Wednesday to Sunday, 5 to 9 March 2008. From
Wednesday until Friday admission will again be restricted to trade
visitors only.
ITB Berlin 2007: The final visitor count will be available as of
11 a.m. on Monday, 12 March 2007.
For additional details: www.itb-berlin.com
