Messe Berlin ITB Convention

Review on the ITB Berlin Convention Market Trends & Innovations 2008

"At the ITB Berlin 2008 the ITB Berlin Convention Market Trends & Innovations again fully justified its role as the travel industry's think tank", concluded Professor Dr. Roland Conrady, scientific director of the ITB Berlin Convention Market Trends & Innovations. The marked and positive international response to the Convention's attractive program comprising high-ranking speakers and panel guests from business and politics resulted in impressive visitor attendance with record numbers. A total of 11,000 trade visitors from around the world took part in the four-day Convention, a 25 per cent increase over last year's figure. Dr. Martin Buck, Messe Berlin Director CompetenceCenter Travel & Logistics: "The ITB Convention has become an important part of the ITB Berlin, again emphasising our role as the global tourism industry's leading travel trade show."

Among the main highlights attracting the public were the ITB Future Day and presentations and debate on climate change, which currently presents a challenge to the travel industry. The ITB Hospitality Day, the ITB Aviation Day and the Destination sessions also underlined their role as leading industry forums. 

PhoCusWright@ITB was again a very successful event. The program centered on "Success in Travel E-Business" and involved speakers from all facets of the travel industry to discuss the important trends and necessary insights surrounding the theme. This one day event attracted 300 participants/visitors. Also popular was the PhoCusWright Bloggers Summit held on March 5. Attracting bloggers from near and far, the Bloggers Summit was an ideal forum for this community to gather and discuss blogging in the travel industry.

More than 2,500 participants registered for the ITB Business Travel Days 2008, this complies to an increase of 26 percent compared to last years event. The ITB Business Travel Days have become a popular networking platform for Corporates, Suppliers, Travel Agents and Students. A high quality program with workshops, keynotes and round table discussions was organized in cooperation with the VDR Academy and the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce.