The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will use ITB Berlin next week to hold its first in a series of briefings on avian influenza and preparedness planning. UNWTO Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli and his Special Advisor Geoffrey Lipman will be joined by the heads of major travel organizations including David McMillan, IH&RA, Peter de Jong, PATA and Martin Brackenberry, IFTO.

Travel Industry Wire Preliminary indications published in the World Travel Trend Report, and expected to be confirmed by Mr. Freitag during his presentation of the annual Berlin Message at ITB 2006, suggested that tourism enjoyed another year of sustained recovery, and that international arrivals, or outbound trips, increased by between 5 to 6 percent over 2004. “A number of long-haul destinations recorded double-digit increases out of Europe from January through August,” says Mr. Freitag, “among which China, Singapore, Cambodia and Vietnam.”

Russia´s first international trade fair that is exclusively dedicated to the luxury travel sector will take place from September 19 to 22 in Moscow. Exhibitors have the unique chance to enter a booming market: With 88,000 millionaires in Russia, luxurious travels are on top of the list of holiday priorities. Luxury Leisure will be held in combination with Otdykh-Leisure, Russia´s largest international autumn tourism show and MIBEX/MICE Moscow, the first meeting industry & business travel exhibition in Moscow. The three trade fairs take place in Russia´s biggest and newest exhibition venue “Crocus Expo”.

Some of the biggest names in American music lead the lineup for what organizers call the most important New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival ever. The event will be held April 28 to 30 and May 5 to 7 at the Fair Grounds Race Course and will also include a Food Fair and an array of arts and crafts. The first post-Katrina Jazz Fest will feature Bob Dylan, Jimmy Buffett, Paul Simon, the Dave Matthews Band, Fats Domino, Lionel Richie, Koko Taylor, Elvis Costello and dozens of other top rock, jazz, blues and gospel artists.

Innovative workshops, fascinating panel discussions and prominent speakers await visitors to the third ITB Convention Market Trends & Innovations from March 8 to 12 during the 40th ITB Berlin. And there will be plenty of choice, with the ITB Business Travel Days, TRAVDEX@ITB and events devoted to destinations and specialized topics, all offering information, new developments and discussions about all aspects of travel and tourism.

Due to the Dominica´s commitment to developing its tourism product around its natural heritage, unspoiled scenic beauty, people and culture, the Caribbean island has been handpicked as the focus of a panel discussion on Sustainable Ecotourism Development at ITB (International Tourism Exchange) in Berlin on Friday, March 10. Entitled, “Sustainable Ecotourism Development – Lessons from Dominica,” the panel will feature top tourism officials from Dominica including Dominica´s Minister of Tourism Yvor Nassief, Chief Technical Officer from the Ministry of Tourism Mrs. Esther Thomas, who handles the day-to-day operation of the ecotourism program, and Dominica hotelier Mr. Sam Raphael, who is leading the island´s newest ecological development.