Booking Levels High for ITB Berlin 2008

The outlook for this year's ITB Berlin is once again strong as final preparations get under way for an event which between 5 and 9 March will be taking place for the 42nd time.

"Compared with 2006 the number of bookings at the ITB Berlin 2008 has remained consistently high. The world's largest travel trade show will live up to its reputation as the industry's leading international platform," said ITB Senior Manager David Ruetz. The focus will be on the Dominican Republic, the partner country at this year's ITB, which is organising the opening ceremonies and will have exciting products and services to show both trade visitors and the general public.

Overall around 11,000 companies from 180 countries and territories will be exhibiting at the ITB Berlin 2008, and more than 100,000 trade visitors are expected to attend. Last year close to 70,000 members of the general public thronged the 26 halls on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. This year exhibitors showing everything the tourism industry has to offer will again be occupying a display area around 160,000 square metres in size.

Holiday and business travel will again be a growth market in 2008, and the World Tourism Organisation anticipates a four to five per cent increase in growth over last year. The markets in Asia, the Middle East and several Eastern European states are particularly dynamic.

A substantial number of exhibitors from these regions will be present at the ITB Berlin this year. Thus Thailand, Vietnam and Macau will be occupying significantly larger stands (all exhibitors in Hall 26). Langham Hotels, Ascott International Hotels and Ermitage Islands from Asia will also be represented in the same hall. For several years the Middle East nations, in particular the United Arab Emirates, have been experiencing a genuine boom in demand.

At the ITB Berlin 2008 the display area of Emirate Airlines will be double in size. They will be bringing with them a spectacular new stand in the shape of the globe that is three storeys high. The size of the Abu Dhabi stand will be 25% bigger (all exhibitors in Hall 22b). Egypt will also be setting up a larger stand (Hall 21b).

Eastern European states such as Bulgaria, Armenia and Azerbaijan will also be prominently represented this year (all exhibitors in Hall 3.2). For the first time Montenegro will be occupying a display area extending over two storeys (Hall 1.2), and ever since 2005 the stand of the Czech Republic (Hall 11.1) has been getting larger, and that includes 2008. Russia is advancing into the market and will be occupying a 40% larger display area in Hall 2.1.

The level of international participation in the Travel Technology section is higher than ever. Exhibitors from eleven countries, including several from India, will be offering a global overview of the market.

Due to high demand by the hotel trade Hall 9 is already booked up. Dorint Hotels & Resorts are returning, and will now be occupying their own stand. Sensible Hospitality and Arosa will be represented for the first time. Steigenberger and Concorde will have larger stands, having been represented under the Louvre name last year.

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