Book World & Cultural Tourism: The Meeting Place of the Global Cultural Scene at ITB 2008

In recent years the tourism section ITB Cultural Tourism has undisputedly been the second most popular public attraction at the world’s largest travel trade show. This year the ITB BookWorld and ITB Cultural Tourism are exhibiting jointly in a prime location in the centre of the grounds, in Hall 10.2, where the sections will be within even quicker reach to culturally interested visitors at this year’s ITB Berlin.

For years the ITB Book World has been popular with trade visitors and the general public at the ITB Berlin. Ever since the respective publishers allowed sales of books at the show in 2006 this section has become a major attraction for those interested in books. The selection is vast. 16 major exhibitors will be occupying their own stands.

For the first time, Suhrkamp, NZVP Books, Digital Publishing and MBM Systems will be presenting their latest travel literature here. The presentation of the ITB Book Awards will also be among the major attractions. The focus of attention will be on the Destinations Awards of the Dominican Republic , the partner country of the ITB Berlin 2008.

The presentation of these awards and others recognizing outstanding works and achievements in the publishing world, for travel guides, travel literature, illustrated travel books, travel cook books, tourist maps and innovative publications, will be taking place at the Culture Lounge on March 8 from 4 to 5 p.m.

The ITB has a new, attractive cultural tourism platform called the Culture Lounge. A total of 29 exhibitors from the European cultural scene will be exhibiting in an area occupying 200 square meters. They will include such illustrious European cultural institutions as the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam , the Vlaamse Kunstcollectie, RUHR.2010 –the European Capital of Culture, and the Berlin State Museums .

However, at the ITB Berlin cultural tourism will not only be in evidence in Hall 10.2, but elsewhere on the grounds as well. A guide entitled It’s Showtime for Culture, on view at the main stands of exhibitors, offers valuable tips on exploring the wide range of international cultural tourism and city travel available.

Comprising around 100 pages and written in English and German, the guide takes a brief look at all the major cultural events taking place worldwide over the next few years, and contains a program highlighting some of the cultural events at the ITB Berlin. This is a book that will guide visitors interested in ITB Cultural Tourism to wherever they want to go in the 26 display halls.

The ITB Berlin will be taking place from March 5 to 9, 2008. More than 180 countries and close to 11,000 exhibitors will be represented in the 26 display halls on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. Numerous events, exciting attractions, shows, celebrities and prize draws will all be part of the program during the ITB Open Days on the weekend of March 8 and 9.