ITB Berlin 2010 Reports Stable Booking Levels

ITB Berlin 2010 reports that the show’s bookings are stable and on the same level as last year. From March 10 to 14, about 11,000 companies and organizations from over 180 countries and territories will be exhibiting products and innovations in the 26 halls on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.

This year more than 110,000 trade visitors are expected at the show, where once again they will be finding out about all the tourism products and services on offer. The focus is on Turkey, the partner country at this year’s ITB, which is organizing the opening ceremonies on March 9 and will have products and services to show to both trade visitors and the general public.

A large number of new exhibitors will be displaying products to trade visitors and the general public. The increase in exhibitors from Asia is impressive. Inside Hall 7.2b, an all-new building, the Central and Inner Asian Countries (CIA) are promoting their destinations.

Private exhibitors from Vietnam who are new to the show such as Ami Tourist, Footprint Vietnam Travel (previously also at ITB Asia), Fusion Management and Wuxi/China, a new region, are represented with their own stands in the Asia Hall (26) for the first time, as is Garuda Indonesia. Thailand and Indonesia are occupying considerably larger stands.

The Africa Halls (20/21) are completely booked up. Zanzibar and Gambia have returned and Djibouti is exhibiting its products for the first time since 1991. Demand for space in the India Hall (5.2b) remains unabated even though it too is fully booked up. Kerala is occupying an even larger display area yet again. This is the first time the Rajasthan Tourism Board will be at the fair with a joint stand representing the region.

Tourist numbers from America continue to be on the increase, and this is reflected in the number of exhibitors from the US. Apache Spirit Ranch, EOV Group, Myrtle Beach SC and Vantage Hospitality are newcomers to the Discover America Pavilion (Hall 2.1). Alaska and Continental Airlines are increasing their presence and have more than doubled the size of their stands. The Gay and Lesbian Travel section in Hall 2.1 is celebrating its debut at ITB Berlin.