BERLIN--()--ITB Berlin 2013 was by far the world’s largest meeting place of international tourism policy decision-makers and business leaders. The German chancellor, the Indonesian president, representatives of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), as well as more than 100 ministers of tourism and state secretaries, met in Berlin to help shape the future for growth in the tourism industry.
Dr. Christian Göke, COO Messe Berlin: “Once again, ITB Berlin has kicked off the travel season around the globe. No other place in the world gathers so many leading representatives from the private and public sector. This is where the tone is set for the future of travel for a billion people. The increase in international buyers is proof that ITB Berlin continues to be the most important marketplace for the global travel industry.“
From 6 to 10 March 2013, 10,086 exhibitors from 188 countries presented their products and services in display halls that were fully booked up. Overall, some 110,000 trade visitors came to Berlin, of whom 43 per cent were from abroad. The ITB Berlin Convention registered record levels of attendance. A total of 21,000 took part in the 200 sessions, 25 per cent more than in 2012. The matchmaking event for bloggers involving exhibitors met with an extremely positive response. More than 60,000 members of the general public came to find out about the wide-ranging information on offer. For the first time, visitors at the weekend were able to book their tours directly at ITB Berlin.
The participation of Indonesia, this year’s partner country, was spectacular and featured more than 300 dancers, musicians and performing artists. Besides showcasing its natural wonders, the world’s largest archipelago shined the spotlight on seven other aspects of the country: culture and traditions, nature and eco-tourism, leisure sports, cruises, gastronomy and shopping, spas, wellness and MICE events. Esthy Reko Astuty, Director General of Marketing, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy: “We are extremely satisfied with the way ITB Berlin 2013 went. We had excellent opportunities here to showcase the diversity of our country. We came to Berlin with close to 50 per cent more exhibitors than in 2012 and can say that we are very satisfied.”