ITB Berlin attracted some 11,000 exhibiting companies in 2007

This year's Internationale Tourimus Börse (ITB) Berlin will be both a market and a podium for discussing many of the important challenges that the tourism industry faces. Among these, discussion forums will debate the importance of the youth and budget travel sectors; define new needs in luxury travel, and industry leaders will also discuss the future of air travel and options in ecotourism.

In its 42nd year, ITB Berlin continues to provide a concentrated display of current trends, ideas, global approaches and custom-tailored marketing for regional and global markets. In 2007, more than 11,000 exhibiting companies from 180 countries came together to show off their products, programs and services. The four-day event draws representatives of the hospitality industry, tour agencies and operators, airlines, booking companies and national tourism offices.

This coming year, ITB Berlin will feature segments on ECOtourism, Youth Travel, Wellness and Economy Accommodation sectors. The market is responding to the rising demands of wallet-friendly lodging fueled by cost-conscious tourists and frugal business travelers. Economy Accommodation will feature budget hotel chains, youth hostels and internet websites devoted to the topic. A closely connected yet separate sector is Youth Travel, also one of the most rapidly expanding market segments.

Sustaining and preserving the diversity of the world's natural and cultural environments has also become the alpha trend in tourism today, reflected in the expanding ECOtourism segment of the show. Exhibitors here offer "travel products that protect the environment and contribute to the well-being of the people living in the host country". Beyond green-friendly products and services the section will also display wilderness adventures, tours of local culture and volunteer programs. It is also a promotional platform to raise awareness of the importance and vulnerability of the flora, fauna and cultural heritage of our planet.

Forum Wellness is another novel segment devoted to the wellness resorts, tour operators and hotels from across the globe. It reflects the ever-increasing demand for rejuvenating relaxation, for people to soak away their troubles and pain in spas and pamper their bodies with various invigorating treatments.

Organized for the fifth consecutive year during show, The ITB Convention Market Trends & Innovations is a think thank of the travel industry that brings together decision-makers and distinguished figures to discuss issues concerning the future of travel. The convention begins with the ITB Future Day on March 5, with the much-debated subject of "The New Luxury", a topic dealing with consumers' constant hunt for real exclusivity. Among the keynote speakers is Philip C. Wolf from the PhoCusWright and Asfa-Wossen Asserate, Prince of Ethiopia, author and management consultant for Africa and the Middle East.

The following ITB Hospitality Day on March 6 focuses on ecological concepts in the hotel industry, with panelists analyzing the importance of service design of hotels and brand-attractions versus destinations as attractions. A discussion on "Green Hotels" will be chaired by Welf Ebeling, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The Leading Hotels of the World. Other panel discussion topics include "Hotels under cost pressure" and "Hotel benchmarking".

Centering around the theme "Open Sky on the North Atlantic", the ITB Aviation Day, on March 7 raises current issues in key air transportation issues. The topic will be examined by a group of industry leaders, namely Karl-Ulrich Garnadt, Area Manager of Lufthansa, Pat Gaffey, Area General Manager of British Airways and Marnix Fruitema, CEO of Air France-KLM Europe. Andrew Harrison, CEO of EasyJet and Dr. Janinan Scheelhaase from the German Aerospace Center chair the controversial panel discussion on "Is Air Transport a Climate Killer?" Among others, the future of Russian air transport market and space travel will also be discussed.

ITB Berlin 2009
Dates: March 11-15, 2008
Venue: Berlin Exhibition Grounds - ICC Berlin
City, Country: Berlin, Germany
Telephone: [49] 30.30.38.22.75 / -2266
Website