After three long years of missing out due to the pandemic, ITB Berlin, the world's leading travel trade show, finally kicked-off the eagerly awaited live-comeback today.

 

"Thank you for such a magnificiant opening day of ITB Berlin 2023. We are looking forward to the next days!," said the organisers. 

 

"Together with the entire industry, I expect a spectacular comeback, bursting with energy, driven by this year’s slogan 'Open for Change’. There is a lot of disruption, consolidation and challenges taking place right now," said Dirk Hoffmann, Managing Director, Messe Berlin, organiser of the event. 

 

"Altogether, we are looking forward to welcoming around 5,500 destinations, regions and companies. International participation in ITB Berlin is extremely high again with exhibitors from 161 countries," he said. 

 

The in-person event from March 7 to 9 will see domestic and international exhibitors present in large numbers. 

 

This year’s ITB Berlin is for the first time taking place for trade visitors only and is accompanied by the prestigious ITB Berlin Convention. Selected programme items will be streamed on the supporting online platform at ITBxplore. 

 

"Demand for travel is stronger than ever," said Julia Simpson, President & CEO, tweeting on the opening of ITB Berlin 2023.

 

Georgia is the  official host country of ITB Berlin and it hosted the festive opening gala at the CityCube Berlin in the presence of Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili. Georgia is presenting a wealth of activities and attractions over the next three days, including today’s conference on “Adventurous Georgia”.

 

Saudi Arabia will be the largest exhibitor at the show and its co-exhibitors include NEOM, the giant smart city project in the desert. At the Media Monday event, Saudi Arabia presented the opportunities awaiting investors and tourists in the kingdom.

 

Under the slogan “Mastering Transformation” this year’s ITB Berlin Convention is divided into different segments – or tracks, featuring around 400 speakers and over 200 sessions, reflecting the most important current topics shaping the global tourism and travel industry.

 

Leading speakers and experts will take to the conference stages to share their knowledge on hot topics, including Travel Technology, Marketing & Sales, Future Travel, Hospitality, Sustainability and Social Responsibility.

 

On the Green Stage, the first session will be on Gender Equality: Tourism as a door opener for female empowerment and the role of gender equality in addressing the climate crisis. The eTravel Stage will kicking off with a discussion on Technology Trends impacting Travel – What’s coming, what’s shaping the industry? 

 

For students, young professionals, trainees, qualified tourism professionals or anyone switching careers, the ITB Career Center will help you find out about new job opportunities and provide comprehensive professional advice.

 

The Home of Luxury by ITB at the Marshall Haus is welcoming luxury tourism providers and buyers from around the world and will create a unique environment featuring networking events and meetings in an exclusive atmosphere.

 

The Best Exhibitor Award (BEA) is making its return at the trade show. Over the next three days, a team of students from various branches of the CBS International Business School, will be assessing all of the exhibitors’ stands. 

 

There is also the new virtual B2B platform, ITBxplore, and ITB App. These are virtual companions of the live event which offer exhibitors, trade visitors and media members a wide range of content.

 

 As in previous years, Arab countries from North Africa and the Middle East are strongly represented, with Egypt, Morocco, Qatar and Oman located in Hall 4.2, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and newcomer Saudi Arabia in Hall 3.2b.