110,000 trade visitors, 42 per cent from abroad - topical issues ensure record attendance (plus 10 per cent) at the ITB Berlin Convention - public interest remains high - successful premiere for the ITB partner region: RUHR.2010 now firmly established on the international stage - 180,000 visitors in the display halls
"More market players visited the leading platform of the international travel industry than ever before. In times of rapid structural changes and highly competitive markets they focused on gaining a comprehensive market overview and on new business approaches. Thus, unlike many other industries, the travel sector is actively responding to the challenges. Trade visitor attendance remained high, proof of ITB Berlin's resilience even in economically difficult times. We are delighted that there was an increase in visitors from abroad. Once again, ITB Berlin re-established itself as the world's leading travel trade show", said Dr. Christian Göke, Chief Operating Officer of Messe Berlin .
From 11 to 15 March 11,098 companies from 187 countries (2008: 11,147 companies from 186 countries) exhibited their products and services and discussed their future market strategies. Of the 110,857 trade visitors who attended (110,322), 42 per cent came from abroad, an increase of four per cent. Once again, record numbers took part in the convention. This year's figure was 12,000, compared with 11,000 in 2008.
"Clearly we were once again able to address urgent problems and topical market issues with leading experts. The result was a global survey of the market and possible scenarios for solutions", Dr. Göke added.
Crowds thronged the halls over the weekend as well. Approximately 68,114 members of the public (67,569) came to find out about travel destinations and products and services from around the world. Overall attendance in the display halls was 178,971 (177,891).
Despite the global financial crisis there was a positive mood among exhibitors, who were satisfied with business at ITB Berlin. According to a representative survey carried out by Fachhochschule Eberswalde during the fair, six out of ten exhibitors said the recession had had no impact on their business. However, they said that travel behaviour would change. 52 per cent of exhibitors expected tourists to take even shorter trips, 60 per cent believed local tourism would boom, and 68 per cent expected demand for last-minute travel to increase. More than half of the exhibitors claimed they were currently adapting their products to suit changing conditions, for which ITB Berlin is the ideal venue. According to a survey by an independent market research institute, more than 87 per cent (85) of exhibitors obtained a positive impression of the fair. As in 2008, even before this year's fair had ended, 91 per cent said they would be back next year at ITB Berlin.
|