ITB Berlin 2005 Yields Good Outcomes

The Berlin International Tourism Fair rolled down the curtains with a new record high of attendants and superb numbers on the board in every aspect. For the event´s organizers, the world travel industry is once again off to a good start after enduring the fallout of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The figures speak for themselves: 10,409 exhibitors from 181 countries and regions, and more than 142,000 visitors. The worst of the recession is over for the international tourism sector: Continuous improvement is now expected. These were the positive conclusions drawn by Dr. Goeke, Chief Executive Officer of Messe Berlin, speaking at the International Tourism Exchange ITB Berlin 2005.

Furthermore the structure of the visitors reveals a significant improvement in quality. Goeke: Attendance by trade visitors rose by 12 per cent to 83,987 (2004: 75,019). The world´s leading tourism trade fair is becoming increasingly international: among this year’s trade visitors more than one third, 33.5 per cent, came from abroad, a one per cent increase over the previous year.

This year the ITB Berlin featured a second Asia hall for the first time. Goeke: Exhibitors from the regions stricken by the tsunami did not cancel their participation in the ITB, but instead came to Berlin with a clear message: We are back, and we now await the return of tourists from all over the world. Goeke regards this as evidence that now, more than ever, the ITB Berlin is the leading marketing platform for the international tourism industry.

This year´s partner country at the ITB Berlin, Germany, also viewed the results of the fair as positive. Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive of the German National Tourist Board (DZT): The ITB Berlin 2005 provided some positive signals for incoming tourism to Germany. We are confident that a major impetus for the continued and positive development of tourism to Germany will be provided in 2006. The DZT expects the upturn to continue during the current year and predicts tourism to Germany to grow by more than two per cent.

Petra Hedorfer described Germany´s role as partner country as a highlight of this year´s ITB Berlin. The presentation to the international tourism industry focused on Germany´s hospitality, its culture and its sporting interests. With the wide-ranging support of partners in the German tourism sector, as well as in business and politics, we have taken the opportunity presented to us just one year before a massive event, the Football World Cup, to draw attention to Germany as a destination, the DZT Chief Executive commented.

Klaus Laepple, President of the national tourism industry association Bundesverband der Deutschen Tourismuswirtschaft (BTW), President of the Deutscher Reisebüro und Reiseveranstalter Verband (DRV), representing the country’s tour operators and travel agents, and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the International Tourism Exchange Berlin, gave a very upbeat assessment of this year´s event:

The ITB Berlin 2005 provided two highly encouraging signals: The prevailing mood and the way that the travel sector is developing are very encouraging. The ITB has confirmed the positive trend. There has been a distinct and lasting shift in trends and, acting as partner country, Germany met with a great deal of support and understanding: In the year before Germany hosts the FIFA World Cup 2006 its efforts have left an overwhelmingly positive impression.

In its summing up of the ITB the World Tourism Organization (WTO) made particular mention of the good mood within the industry. Francesco Frangialli, Secretary General of the WTO: At this annual meeting of the international tourism sector, the world’s largest, the message emanating from the ITB Berlin is that the tsunami has failed to inhibit the growth of tourism to Asia, which continues to expand vigorously, and which has already proved, in past years, its remarkable ability to react to changes.

The WTO expects that , with the positive development of the economy and of trade in 2005, worldwide tourism is set to continue its run of success.