ITB BERLIN HIGHLY SATISFIED WITH THE ITB BERLIN CONVENTION AND DIGITAL BUSINESS DAY (Germany)
High levels of international participation in both formats – 60,700 convention attendees from 125 countries and more than 100 sessions featuring 223 speakers |
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ITB BERLIN HIGHLY SATISFIED WITH THE ITB BERLIN CONVENTION AND DIGITAL BUSINESS DAY (Germany)
High levels of international participation in both formats – 60,700 convention attendees from 125 countries and more than 100 sessions featuring 223 speakers |
Category: Europe - Germany - Exclusive experiences
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This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2022-03-22
Focus of lectures, discussions and industry meetings on the most pressing topics of global concern – 20,000 initial business contacts were made, resulting in 14,000 leads and 3,200 business meetings being arranged at the Digital Business Day – ITB Berlin goes into its next round in the summer
As the virtual ITB Berlin Convention and Digital Business Day with this year’s formats came to a close, ITB Berlin drew a positive conclusion: the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show was highly satisfied with the event.
The three-day ITB Berlin Convention featured more than 100 online sessions with over 220 industry experts.
The world’s largest convention for the industry reported 60,700 users over the three days of the event. International attendance in the format, whose panel discussions took place mostly in English, was high. Around 53 per cent of viewers were from abroad, from a total of 125 countries.
The focus of the industry think tank was on the key topics of future and resilience, digitalisation and sustainability. Numerous sessions also examined what the war in Ukraine means for international tourism.
A second streaming channel for press conferences and exhibitor presentations, which also attracted keen user interest, augmented the convention. Almost all videos of the ITB Berlin Convention 2022 are available on demand on the YouTube channel of ITB Berlin.
The conclusion drawn from the Digital Business Day was similarly positive. At this one- day event buyers, the media and suppliers connected with each other on a matching-based networking platform.
ITB Berlin registered more than 2,500 users from 96 countries. As at the convention, international attendance was high, with 78 per cent of buyers and suppliers taking part from abroad.
A total of 20,000 initial business contacts were made, resulting in 14,000 leads and 3,200 business meetings being arranged.
More than 1,000 buyers and suppliers took part in the two Speed Networking sessions.
“I am delighted that our virtual formats met with such a positive response“, said David Ruetz, head of ITB Berlin.
“ITB Berlin continues to be the industry’s leading platform – next year we will welcome the community back live in Berlin, and all our experience gained from testing hybrid and virtual formats will be incorporated in the event.“
On day one of the convention, one of the highlights was the keynote speech by Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Dr. Robert Habeck, who with his live participation in the event underscored the political and economic significance of ITB Berlin and the tourism industry.
Under the key heading ’future and resilience’, numerous experts examined questions regarding the use of technology, how to avoid a recurrence of overtourism, and the challenges arising from staff and skilled worker shortages.
On day two, the eTravel track debated topics that included the use of AI, new payment methods and targeted marketing efforts using data analyses.
On day three, the focus was on environmental protection and reducing carbon emissions, while presentations took place of trend-setting initiatives on diversity and human rights, and the best ways in which the industry can help refugees.
The Convention & Culture Partner Georgia was satisfied with its partnership and this year’s formats. Georgia was already last year’s Adventure Partner and in 2022 highlighted its cultural attractions.
H.E. Prof. Dr. Levan Izoria, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Georgia to Germany, also spoke at the opening press conference on day one of the convention.
At a press conference, Irina Koshoridze, an art history professor from Tbilisi, and Vakhtang Licheli, an archaeology professor, also presented some of the highlights of this year’s Convention and Culture Partner, in particular archaeological treasures.
Next year, Georgia will be the official host country of ITB Berlin.
ITB Berlin goes into its next round
After the two opening events in March this is by no means the end of ITB Berlin this year. Over the course of the year the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show is for the first time planning a series of B2B networking events at destinations around Europe.
In 2023, ITB Berlin will take place live again in the German capital, starting on 7 March. Events will kick off with the traditional opening gala, which will be organised by the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show and hosted by partner country Georgia on the eve of ITB Berlin.
About ITB Berlin and the ITB Berlin Convention
Since 1966, ITB Berlin has been the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show. The ITB Berlin Convention, the largest event of its kind, was held from 8 – 10 March as an entirely virtual event on the new brand website itb.com. The World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) was the official “overall sponsor” of the ITB Berlin Convention. Mascontour was the sponsor of the Future & Resilience Track at the ITB Berlin Convention. On 17 March the Digital Business Day gave the industry an opportunity to exchange views and do business in a virtual setting from anywhere in the world. Visit Maldives was the Main Sponsor of the Digital Business Day. As a virtual industry marketplace, it is a further addition to the ITB brand family. A series of B2B networking events which ITB Berlin is planning at European host destinations this year will round off the concept. In 2019 around 10,000 exhibitors from 181 countries displayed their products and services to 160,000 visitors, including 113,500 trade visitors.
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