The
high level of demand from emerging destinations such
as Asia and South America and the growth of popular markets such
as Travel Technology
are proof of how stable the global travelindustry is.“
Worldwide
demand for floor space at ITB Berlin is high, no more so than
from exhibitorsrepresenting Arab
and Asian countries and South America.
The Travel Technology
Hall (Hall 6.1) is already booked up and features leading companies
in thismarket.
At the eTravelWorld experts will be giving lectures and workshops
debating the latest social media and mobile travel services
topics. The Gay & Lesbian Travel section in Hall 2.1 is
also set to expand.
Indonesia,
the partner country of ITB Berlin 2013, is represented in Halls 26
and 4.1, where visitors can watch colourful stage events. This year
the ITB Berlin Convention is celebrating its tenth anniversary, with
numerous leading experts holding lectures and discussions. The show’s
Convention & Culture Partner is Azerbaijan, which in addition to
being on the combined stand in Hall 3.2 is also showcasing the beauty
of the
Silk Road in Hall 7.2b. This year marks the
second time that ITB Berlin, together with the United Nations World
Tourism Organization (UNWTO), is highlighting developments on the
famous Silk Road. At the ITB Berlin Convention sustainable tourism,
climate change and water shortages are among the topics at this
year’s CSR Day.
Newcomers
to ITB Berlin 2013 include South Sudan, which gained independence
from Sudan on 9 July 2011 and is represented alongside other African
countries. Arab countries such as Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Morocco,
Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Libya have already booked their
places at the world’s largest travel trade show. Iraq
occupies an even larger stand than last year. Yemen is back after an
absence from ITB Berlin. Asian countries, including Indonesia, the
Philippines, Taiwan and China are represented on larger stands. Hall
5.2b is fully occupied with India’s displays and a number of
Indian exhibitors have moved to Hall 5.2a, where the state
of Uttarakhand is represented for the first time. Destinations such
as Nepal and Bhutan are becoming increasingly popular and can be
found in Hall 5.2a along with various independent exhibitors.
After a number of years hosting their own stands Australia and New
Zealand are combining again to present a joint display in 2013. This
year Papua
New Guinea can be found in the centre of Hall
5.2a.
Lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender travel (LGBT) has long ceased
to be a niche market. The fact that the Pink Pavilion in Hall
2.1 is booked up is proof of this. This year the now famous Vienna
Gay Café is joined by a stand hosted by the city of Vienna.
Newcomers to the Pink Pavilion are the New
York resort The
OUT NYC, Czech Tourism, the Monochrome Resort in Thailand and
Indjapink, an Indian tour
operator and
pioneer of gay tours. Also attending again are the ITB partners
TomOnTour/Diversity Management, the International Gay
&Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), as well as
numerous international co-exhibitors including Siegessäule,
Spartacus, DERTOUR and Destsetters, and numerous co-exhibitors from
Greece and Cyprus. On 8 March at the ITB Destination Days, an event
at the ITB Convention, experts are discussing the future prospects of
this market.
