Despite extensive strikes by Deutsche Bahn and Lufthansa ground staff on the third day of the fair, ITB Berlin, the world’s largest travel trade fair, has experienced slight growth this year. Nearly 100,000 participants were counted, up from just over 90,000 last year. The results have exceeded expectations, the exhibition organization reported on Thursday evening. This year’s ITB had more than 5,500 exhibitors from 170 countries who filled 27 exhibition halls of the Berlin exhibition grounds during the three business days. The exhibition organization points out that despite global crises, consumers’ wanderlust seems to be undiminished. Key topics included the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI), the shortage of skilled workers, and the climate. The world’s leading tourism trade show put a clear focus on shaping the future and its role as a global leading platform for business, innovation and networking. “This year’s ITB Berlin is once again a reflection of the industry. The mood among exhibitors, visitors and speakers was very positive. Everyone agrees that post-pandemic wanderlust was by no means a short-term effect, but that it is proving to be fundamentally robust. Inflation or high energy costs have not been able to dampen demand,” says Mario Tobias, CEO of Messe Berlin. The parallel ITB Berlin Congress had 400 world-renowned top speakers who discussed during 200 sessions. In total, around 24,000 participants attended the panel discussions, keynotes and presentations, which allowed ITB to reaffirm its role as the world’s leading think tank within the industry. The ITB was attended by more than 3,200 accredited journalists from 103 countries, along with more than 300 bloggers. As a leading trade fair in the field of tourism, the ITB was once again a meeting place for politicians and diplomats from all over the world. In addition to numerous delegations, almost 80 ministers and state secretaries visited the fair, along with 72 ambassadors. The next ITB will again be held as a pure B2B trade fair from Tuesday 4 to Thursday 6 March 2025. (Photo: TravMagazine).
