TOURISM'S
BUSINESS HUB

UNLOCKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH AND BUILDING CONNECTIONS
Scroll to read the Day 3 📰

Trip.com Group builds on its European foothold

ITB Berlin News sat down with Andy Washington, General Manager for Europe at Trip.com Group, to discuss the central role of Europe within the brand's global expansion plans. What is Trip.com's group's main focus at ITV Berlin this year? We've got two clear objectives. One is to continue to build partner relations. We've been working hard in…

South Africa: Tapping into new sustainable experiences

At a press conference hosted by South Africa Tourism during the first day of ITB Berlin, CEO Nombulelo Guliwe, and Kaula Nyilenda, Managing Executive of Tourism Development & Marketing at South African National Parks (SANParks), presented the destination's efforts to capitalise on new offerings while maintaining a focus on responsible tourism. South Africa continues to…

At ITB Berlin, India promotes both tradition and modernity

India is highlighting not only its rich cultural heritage and stunning nature, but also its top-class infrastructure and the digitalisation of its tourism industry India organised both a press conference and a special evening at ITB Berlin this year to highlight the commitment of the Indian government to tourism. Speakers at the events were M…

ITB Berlin—where business thrives

Good morning, ITB Berlin attendees! As we embark on Day 3, the final day of ITB Berlin 2024, it’s inspiring to reflect on the moments we’ve shared so far, the knowledge we’ve exchanged, and of course, the business we’ve conducted. This year’s event has truly underscored ITB Berlin’s reputation as the premier hub for the…

Switch Asia to Green

ADVERTORIAL Sustainability best practices and challenges from Thailand, Bhutan, Laos and Kyrgyzstan will be presented at a special seminar jointly organised with PATA and Travelife supported by the EU Switch Asia programme at ITB Berlin today from 11:00 to 15:00 in City Cube / M4 Meeting Room. Agenda 11:00-12:00: Thailand: Inspiring innovations in Thai Sustainable Tourism 12:00-13:00:  Bhutan: Becoming the…

Thursday 7 March 2024: TODAY’S HIGHLIGHTS

Today is the last day of ITB Berlin 2024, and your last chance to fit in as many conferences, round tables and events as possible! Explore our handpicked list of what's on today to make the most of your ITB Berlin experience. Future Work Track10:40 - 11:50Hall 3.1 Green StageResolving the Mismatch: Current and Future…

Malaysia’s authenticity of destinations on display at ITB Berlin

Dr Yasmeen Yasim, the Deputy Secretary-General (Tourism) at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, explains why nature and authenticity are the core of the Malaysian tourism strategy. You are present for the first time at ITB Berlin. What are your impressions? I had heard a lot about ITB Berlin. My first impression is…

Sabah, Malaysia is balancing tourism and preservation at ITB Berlin 2024

Christina Liew, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment of Sabah, Malaysia, stresses that the State of Sabah is increasingly aware of the need to balance the development of tourism and the preservation of development. What are you presenting at ITB Berlin this year? We are of course emphasising eco-tourism activities with our spectacular nature offer.…

Jordan’s push for cultural sustainability at ITB Berlin 2024

At Jordan's presentation on Tuesday on the Lighthouse Stage in Hall 4.1, Hakim Tamimi Marino, Head of Adventure Tourism at the Jordan Tourism Board, explained that the country's sustainability initiatives extend far beyond its considerable environmental and economic sustainability efforts to embrace cultural sustainability. Mr Tamimi Marino expressed how delicate a balance it is between…

Turkish Airlines Business Lounge honours UEFA Champions League

Turkish Airlines is at ITB Berlin 2024 with big news, as the company has unveiled a new themed display in its Business Lounge in Istanbul featuring items used by world-famous football stars including Lionel Messi, Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and many others.    Turkish Airlines, the first official airline partner of the UEFA Champions League,…

ITB Berlin gives “a comprehensive overview of the current state of the industry”

ITB Berlin News spoke with Sandra Hofherr, Product Manager for Scandinavia and the Azores at German tour operator Wolters Rundreisen GmbH, about how the importance of ITB Berlin for the industry and the specificities of the Scandinavian and Azores markets. Why do you think ITB Berlin is such an important event for the industry?ITB Berlin…

“Germans continue to have a strong desire to travel”

In an exclusive interview with ITB Berlin News, Norbert Fiebig, President of the German travel association, Deutscher Reiseverband (DRV), talks German market travel trends and affirms that his fellow nationals have maintained their wanderlust Germans have gone back to their pre-pandemic early bird booking habits and remain faithful to their favourite summer destinations, but cruises…

The buyer experience at ITB Berlin

Jenny Oberhaus, Contracting Manager, Hotelbeds, HBX Group gave ITB Berlin News insight into her experience at the show and predictions for the future of the industry With almost 20 years' of ITB Berlin experiences under her belt, Jenny Oberhaus has seen the industry evolve and grow at the show over time. She sat down with…

Europe, the world’s top tourism destination in 2023

Europe accounted for 54.5% of all international tourist arrivals in 2023 according to UN Tourism. The continent welcomed 700.4 million foreign arrivals, only 5.7% below the numbers of 2019. Within the continent, Southern/Mediterranean Europe had the largest share of international travellers with 307.4 million arrivals. Southern Europe was the best performer within the continent, surpassing…

Eight halls dedicated to Europe at ITB Berlin 2024

Europe is present in 8 halls at ITB Berlin 2024, reflecting the popularity of the continent as a tourist destination. In Hall 8.2, the focus is on Cultural Tourism and Belgium. Eastern Europe is in Halls 10.2 and 11.2, while Hall 18 welcomes the UK, Ireland, Scandinavia, the Baltic States and Ukraine. German-speaking countries as…

Serbian tourism expected to take a “quantum leap” with EXPO 2027

ITB Berlin News spoke with Marija Labovic, Acting Director of the National Tourism Organisation of Serbia, about how the country's tourism efforts are paying off and Serbia's preparations for EXPO 2027. How did Serbia's tourism sector perform in 2023 and what are your expectations for 2024?2023 was one a record year for Serbian tourism and…

Italy unveils diverse regional attractions at ITB Berlin 2024

ADVERTORIAL Europe is Italy's largest tourism source market. In 2022, Italy recorded 37 million European visitors of a total of 55.09 million international visitors—a market share of 67,3%. In 2023, Italy's international visitor arrivals reached 62.8 million although details on the European share have not been yet communicated. Italy is more popular than ever among…

Italian tourism aspires to even greater heights

Italy boasts a considerable presence at ITB Berlin this year with some 200 exhibitors, comprising 15 regions, as well as large companies such as ITA and Trenitalia. Speaking at the ENIT press conference on Tuesday, the Tourism Minister Daniela Garnero Santanchè commented: "ITB Berlin is an extraordinary opportunity to further increase visibility and spread knowledge…

A bright future ahead for sports tourism

Sports tourism, one of the industry's fastest-growing segments, offers enormous potential. As UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili noted at ITB Berlin's opening ceremony, the sports tourism sector is beginning to take off and offers huge development prospects for the tourism industry. Generating around 10% of the world’s expenditure on tourism, according to UN Tourism, sports…

Kenya presents sports as a gateway to greater understanding at ITB Berlin 2024

Kenya beats to the rhythm of all the sports on offer in the country, in particular athletics and golf Kenya encourages us to think of the world of sport as a giant tapestry, with it weaving together in perfect harmony the threads of competition, athletics and cultural exchange. From the thundering footsteps of marathon runners…