A total of 11,163 exhibiting companies and organizations from 188 countries gathered in Messe Berlin for the world’s leading travel trade show; ITB Berlin. UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai attended the opening of the exhibition and said that the next ten years look set to be “the decade of travel and tourism”.

Messe Berlin is expecting around 11,000 exhibiting companies and organizations from more than 180 countries to be present in the 26 halls on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds for the coming 45th Annual ITB Berlin, March 9 to 13. This year’s focus is on Poland, the partner country of ITB Berlin, which is organizing the opening ceremony at the fair. Poland’s regions will be presenting a wide range of products and services to trade visitors and the general public.

Barely a year has passed and a new generation of travel technology has emerged. Then as now, being part of the mobile internet, one that has made the dream come true of being able to book trips anywhere, anytime, and that of a mobile travel companion, requires a huge creative effort on the part of the industry.

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.

The world leader in mobile travel portal, City.mobi, has launched a new site to coincide with this year’s ITB. Berlin.mobi is a state-of-the-art mobile portal that tells you everything you need to know about Berlin, using just your handset – all live and updated instantly with the latest news on what’s going on in the great city.

Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), a master developer of major tourism destinations in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, has unveiled its stunning Qasr Al Sarab Arabian desert retreat at ITB Berlin as it readies to open the ultra-luxurious destination towards the third quarter of this year.