ITB Berlin 2008 to Debut New Section
A new trend is driving growth in the global tourism industry. Tourists and young business travelers who prefer budget accommodation on their travels are setting one of the major global travel trends of the future. Next year the ITB Berlin will be responding to this demand with a new section at the show: Economy Accommodation.
The world’s leading travel trade show is the first to devote a platform to this booming segment of the market. Budget hotel chains, hostels, budget design hotels, youth hostels, internet portals and associations will be presenting their products and services in Hall 4.1 from March 5 to 9, 2008. A special event which takes place on Friday, March 7, 2008 at 2 p.m. in Hall 4.1 will also be focusing on the topic of budget hotels.
According to the latest survey by the US-based youth organization STAY WYSE, 1.6 billion overnights are registered annually worldwide among travelers under thirty. Between 2005 and 2020 this market segment is expected to expand by 70 percent.
Travelers from China and India in particular will be responsible for worldwide growth. Price-conscious travel is thus becoming one of the most dynamic forces stimulating growth in the tourism industry –regardless whether travelers under thirty are on holiday, business trips or on their way to meetings and conferences.
The ITB Berlin is offering interested exhibitors fully equipped, 10 square-meter, turnkey stands, at a cost of only €2,300. The price also includes use of the ITB Economy Accommodation Lounge, an exclusive area where exhibitors can retreat to hold in-depth meetings with industry experts.
The ITB Berlin ticket for trade visitors also includes admission to a special event on the subject of budget hotels on Friday, March 7, 2008, at 2 p.m. in Hall 4.1, as well as visits to the ITB Hospitality Day on Thursday, March 6, 2008 and the ITB Business Travel Days from March 5 to 8, 2008.
The ITB Berlin will be taking place from Wednesday, 5 March to Sunday, March 9, 2008. The period from the Wednesday to the Friday is reserved for trade visitors. Next year Messe Berlin will be celebrating a premiere by holding the ITB Asia, which debuts in Singapore from October 22 to 24, 2008.
