Events, Organisations & Operators,

The second China (Hainan) Sports Goods and Equipment Import Expo (“Hainan Sports Expo”) will be held at the Hainan International Convention and Exhibition Center from the 24th to the 26th of March.Showcasing high-end imported sports equipment, sports event services, and domestic and international sports tourism products, this year’s Hainan Sports Expo will cover an exhibition area of over 37,000m². A number of high-end sports industry forums and sports events will also be held during the same period.
As an important part of the Hainan Sports Expo, the exhibition will be divided into four major zones: water sports, outdoor leisure sports, air sports and sports bicycles. At the same time—providing exhibitors and visitors with a better exhibition and viewing experience—the exhibition hall will also have functional areas for public fitness services, sports consumer services, interactive experiences, events and business matching.

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Touch down at BER and visit ITB Berlin from 7 to 9 March, the annual meeting place of the who’s who of the international travel and tourism industryBER Airport is the official Airport Partner of ITB Berlin, the world’s largest B2B tourism trade show, which from 7 to 9 March will take place live on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. Berlin Brandenburg Airport is represented on a combined stand at the international tourism trade show with the federal Lands of Berlin and Brandenburg. Together, at the meeting place for international tourism professionals, the capital’s airport, Berlin and Brandenburg will be representing the “German Capital Region“. Visitors can find the trade show stand (303a) in hub27. This is where trade visitors can find out about travel to around 140 destinations in some 50 countries with over 60 airlines
Trade visitors will be particularly interested in the growth of digital and automated services at the capital’s airport. Last summer, BER was Europe’s first airport to introduce a system for booking security check time slots, designated BER Runway. Last year, self-service check-in and automated bag drop services were significantly expanded. Self-service check-in machines were rapidly increased to around 120 and their usage rose by 40 per cent. They are very popular with passengers as they save time and offer many services. Self-service check-in machines are not restricted to any particular carrier and are available to all airlines. All major companies at BER use them and new partners are being added all the time. Thus, air passengers need not wait for the services of their particular carrier and instead can proceed to the next available machine.
Aletta von Massenbach, CEO, Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH: “At last, tourism professionals can find out about global tourism products at ITB again and get to know the capital and its region as an attractive holiday destination. That fills us with joy. We warmly welcome all visitors arriving at BER and holidaymakers to the region. We cordially invite all visitors to ITB to exchange views about air travel options and the services at BER and will gladly offer a glimpse of the fascinating developments at Berlin Brandenburg Airport.“

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The thoughts of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), and its Members are with those who have been affected by the earthquake in Türkiye and Syria which has taken so many lives, and devastated hundreds of families.
We send our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of all those affected.

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With its annual ITB BookAward, ITB Berlin recognizes titles from Germany and abroad, written mainly in German, but also in German translation, which honour outstanding journalistic achievements. The aim is to focus attention beyond national borders on the broad spectrum of important intercultural travel and tourism publications.
The winners of the ITB BookAward 2023 have been decided upon. An independent jury comprising experts on countries, media members and booksellers have selected authors, titles, trends and innovations in a wide range of relevant and fascinating categories. In the main category, this year’s Destinations Award is dedicated to Georgia, the official host country of ITB Berlin 2023. Alice, a new category, honours the best books for young people with a focus on travel, thus setting a new trend. Once again ITB Berlin, which takes place from 7 to 9 March 2023, is collaborating with Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels. The ITB Book Award does not confer prize money.
ITB BookAward 2023 – the winners
These are as follows: The World Heritage publications and publishers Kunth/MairDumont, Andreas Kieling, Alexandra Schels and Patrick Pichler, Diplom-Geograf Michael Martin, Prof. Laurence C. Smith, Giorgi Kvastiani with Vadim Spolanski and Andreas Sternfeldt, Dr. Stefan Applis, Nina Kramm, Daniela Schetar and Friedrich Köthe, Eva Wieners, Aleš Šteger, Peter Koller, Daniela Trauthwein, Ernst Wrba, Frances Mayes with Ondine Cohane, Andrea David, Olaf Obsommer, Petra Münzel-Kaiser, Angela Misslbeck, Abi Elphinstone, Matthias Kröner and Mina Braun, Corinna Lawrenz, Johann Fleuri and Pierre Javelle, Gerhard J. Rekel, Dipl.- Ing. Oliver G. Hamm, Andreas Kossert, the audiobook travel features of Hörverlag, Stefan Moster, Raynor Winn, Alexander Oetker, Gregor Münch and Markus Belz, the publisher riva Verlag for the publication of traditional cuisines, KOSMOS NEUER WELTATLAS, Dr. Peter Fretwell, Prof. Dr. Uwe Weithörner with Prof. Dr. Robert Goecke, Prof. Dr. Eberhard Kurz and Prof. Dr. Axel Schulz (publisher), the illuminated globe for children ’Columbus Kinder- Leuchtglobus Unsere Erde’ and the illuminated globe ’3D Relief Leuchtglobus Atmosphere R4 gold’.
Categories, winners, titles and publishersADVERTISEMENTCategory: Lifetime Award
Publisher, ’50 Jahre Welterbekonvention 2022’
Kunth/MairDumont, leading World Heritage publisher
Wildlife filmmaker, adventurer, author, Andreas Kieling | Title ‘Andreas Kieling – 30 Jahre Tierfilm. Wilde Tiere, weite Welt und große Abenteuer’, published by NG Buchverlag, München
Category: Travel calendars
UNESCO World Heritage, ‘Wandkalender UNESCO Erbe der Welt 2023’
UNESCO World Heritage, ‘Tischkalender UNESCO Erbe der Welt 2023, 365 Tage’
UNESCO World Heritage, ‘Wandkalender UNESCO Naturerbe der Welt 2023’
UNESCO World Heritage, ‘Tischkalender UNESCO Naturerbe der Welt 2023, 365 Tage’,
all published by Kunth/Mairdumont, München-Ostfildern
Longing for the Far East, Alexandra Schels, Patrick Pichler | ‘Wandkalender Fernweh Fernost 2023’, published by teNeues Verlag, Augsburg
Category: Management Award of ITB Berlin
Fascinating World Heritage, ‘Das Erbe der Welt – Alle Kultur- und Naturmonumente mit Anerkennung der UNESCO’, published by Verlag Kunth/Mairdumont, München- Ostfildern
The Miracle of this World by Diplom-Geograf Michael Martin | ‘TERRA – Gesichter der Erde’, published by Knesebeck Verlag, München
Category: Cultures
UNESCO World Heritage, ‘Das Erbe der Welt – Alle Kultur- und Naturmonumente mit Anerkennung der UNESCO’, published by Verlag Kunth/Mairdumont, München-Ostfildern
The cultural impact of rivers, Prof. Laurence C. Smith | ‘Weltgeschichte der Flüsse – Wie mächtige Ströme Reiche schufen, Kulturen zerstörten und unsere Zivilisation prägen’, published by Siedler Verlag, München
Category: Destinations Award 2023 – Georgia
Georgia – a comprehensive travel guide, Giorgi Kvastiani, Vadim Spolanski, Andreas Sternfeldt | ‘Georgien – Mit Tbilisi, Batumi, Kachetien, Kartli, Adscharien, Kolchis, Schwarzem Meer, Swanetien’, published by Trescher Verlag, Berlin
Svaneti – a travel guide, Dr. Stefan Applis | ‘Swanetien entdecken – Ein Kultur- und Naturreiseführer für Georgien/Südlicher Kaukasus’, published by Mitteldeutscher Verlag, Halle
Illustrated volume, Dr. Stefan Applis | ‘Swanetien – Tradition und Moderne’, published by Mitteldeutscher Verlag, Halle
Hiking guide, Nina Kramm | ‘Georgien – Kleiner und Großer Kaukasus’, published by Bergverlag Rother, Oberhaching
Category: Frankfurt Book Fair 2023 Guest of Honour – Slovenia
Slovenia – a comprehensive travel guide, Daniela Schetar, Friedrich Köthe | ‘Slowenien mit Triest – mit 15 Wanderungen’, published by Reise Know-How Verlag Peter Rump, Bielefeld
Hiking guide, Eva Wieners | ‘Soèa und Triglav Nationalpark – 45 Wander- und Entdeckertouren in Sloweniens wildem Westen’, published by Naturzeit Reiseverlag, Kottgeisering
Special travel book, Aleš Šteger | ‘Gebrauchsanweisung für Slowenien’, published by Piper Verlag, München
Category: German travel regions – the Palatinate
Travel guide, Peter Koller | ‘Pfalz’, published by Reise Know-How Verlag Peter Rump
Hiking, Daniela Trauthwein | ‘Wanderungen für die Seele – Wohlfühlwege Pfalz’,
Cycling tours, Ernst Wrba | ‘Radeln für die Seele – Alte Bahntrassen Rheinland-Pfalz’, both published by Droste Verlag, Düsseldorf
Category: Illustrated travel book
Italy, Frances Mayes with Ondine Cohane | ‘Sempre Italia – Eine Liebeserklärung an Lebensart, Küche und Kultur’, published by Verlag Frederking & Thaler, München
Film tourism, Andrea David | ‘Szene für Szene die Welt entdecken’, published by Conbook Verlag, Neuss
Category: Outdoors
Canoeing expeditions, Olaf Obsommer, Petra Münzel-Kaiser | ‘Sick Life Line’, published by Conbook Verlag, Neuss
Hiking, Gregor Münch, Markus Belz | ‘Romantische Straße – Von Würzburg nach Füssen’, published by Verlag Esterbauer, Rodingersdorf (A)
Category: Travelling with children
Angela Misslbeck | ‘Wohnmobilreisen mit Kindern’, published by Bruckmann Verlag, München
New category: Alice Award for books for young people
Adventures in a fantasy world, Abi Elphinstone | ‘Caspar und die Träne des Phönix’, vol. 1 in the series ‘Die vier verborgenen Reiche’, from age 10, published by Carlsen Verlag, Hamburg
In Australia’s mangrove swamps, Matthias Kröner, Mina Braun/Illustration | ‘Der Billabongkönig’, from age 7, published by Beltz & Gelberg Verlag, Weinheim
Category: Special travel books
Culinary journeys, Corinna Lawrenz | ‘Zu Gast in Portugal – Sehnsuchtsorte, Originalrezepte und Geheimtipps’, published by Callwey Verlag, München
The many aspects of Tokyo, Johann Fleuri, Pierre Javelle/Fotos | ‘Tokyo – Eine Augenreise’, published by Dorling Kindersley Verlag, München
Rail journeys, Gerhard J. Rekel | ‘Monsieur Orient-Express – Wie es Georges Nagelmackers gelang, Welten zu verbinden’, published by Verlag Kremayr & Scheriau, Vienna
Architecture, Dipl.-Ing. Oliver G. Hamm | ‘Architekturführer Dresden’, published by Verlag DOM publishers, Berlin
Masuria, Andreas Kossert | ‘Gebrauchsanweisung für Masuren’, published by Piper Verlag, München
Audiobook travel features:
‘Sehnsucht Italien – Eine akustische Reise von den Dolomiten bis nach Sizilien’
‘Sehnsucht Frankreich – Eine akustische Reise von der Bretagne bis nach Korsika’
‘Sehnsucht Spanien & Portugal – Eine akustische Reise von Lissabon bis Madrid, von Madeira bis Mallorca’
‘Die schönsten Städte Europas – Eine akustische Reise von Amsterdam bis Zürich’,
all published by Hörverlag, München
Category: Literary travel books
Longing for the Arctic, Stefan Moster | ‘Das Fundament des Eisbergs – Eine arktische Sehnsucht’, published by mareverlag, Hamburg
Nature Writing, Raynor Winn | Trilogie: ‘Der Salzpfad’, ‘Wilde Stille’, ‘Überland’, published by DuMont Reiseverlag, Ostfildern
Category: Travel cookbooks
For gourmets and crime thriller fans Alexander Oetker | ‘Chez Luc – Mit Commissaire Verlain durch Frankreichs kulinarischen Südwesten. Das Aquitaine-Kochbuch’, published by Verlag Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg
Special Cookbook Award, for riva Verlag, for the publication of six traditional cuisines:
‘Parwana – Eine kulinarische Reise durch Afghanistan’,
‘Das Tibet-Kochbuch – Traditionelle Rezepte aus dem Himalaya’,
‘Muskat, Zimt und Kardamom – Eine kulinarische Reise entlang der alten Gewürzroute’, ‘Mesopotamia – Aramäisch kochen’,
‘Das Ukraine-Kochbuch’,
‘Indien vegetarisch – Die kulinarischen Schätze der indischen Küche’
Category: Atlases, globes
World atlas, ‘KOSMOS NEUER WELTATLAS – Das Standardwerk mit aktuellen und präzisen Karten’, published by Franckh-Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart
Atlas of the Antarctic, Dr. Peter Fretwell | ‘Antarktis – Atlas eines unbekannten Kontinents’, published by Franckh-Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart
Children’s globe, ‘Columbus Kinder-Leuchtglobus Unsere Erde’, distributed by COLUMBUS Verlag, Krauchenwies
Globe, ‘3D-Relief-Leuchtglobus Atmosphere R4 gold’, distributed by Räthgloben 1917, Markranstädt
Category: Specialist tourism literature
Guide and manual, Prof. Dr. Uwe Weithörner, Prof. Dr. Robert Goecke, Prof. Dr. Eberhard Kurz, Prof. Dr. Axel Schulz (publisher) | ‘Digitaler Tourismus – Informationsmanagement im Tourismus’, published by Verlag Walter De Gruyter/Studium, Berlin/Boston
New category: Alice Award for books for young people
Adventures in a fantasy world, Abi Elphinstone | ‘Caspar und die Träne des Phönix’, vol. 1 in the series ‘Die vier verborgenen Reiche’, from age 10, published by Carlsen Verlag, Hamburg
In Australia’s mangrove swamps, Matthias Kröner, Mina Braun/Illustration | ‘Der Billabongkönig’, from age 7, published by Beltz & Gelberg Verlag, Weinheim
Category: Special travel books
Culinary journeys, Corinna Lawrenz | ‘Zu Gast in Portugal – Sehnsuchtsorte, Originalrezepte und Geheimtipps’, published by Callwey Verlag, München
The many aspects of Tokyo, Johann Fleuri, Pierre Javelle/Fotos | ‘Tokyo – Eine Augenreise’, published by Dorling Kindersley Verlag, München
Rail journeys, Gerhard J. Rekel | ‘Monsieur Orient-Express – Wie es Georges Nagelmackers gelang, Welten zu verbinden’, published by Verlag Kremayr & Scheriau, Vienna
Architecture, Dipl.-Ing. Oliver G. Hamm | ‘Architekturführer Dresden’, published by Verlag DOM publishers, Berlin
Masuria, Andreas Kossert | ‘Gebrauchsanweisung für Masuren’, published by Piper Verlag, München
Audiobook travel features:
‘Sehnsucht Italien – Eine akustische Reise von den Dolomiten bis nach Sizilien’
‘Sehnsucht Frankreich – Eine akustische Reise von der Bretagne bis nach Korsika’
‘Sehnsucht Spanien & Portugal – Eine akustische Reise von Lissabon bis Madrid, von Madeira bis Mallorca’
‘Die schönsten Städte Europas – Eine akustische Reise von Amsterdam bis Zürich’,
all published by Hörverlag, München
Category: Literary travel books
Longing for the Arctic, Stefan Moster | ‘Das Fundament des Eisbergs – Eine arktische Sehnsucht’, published by mareverlag, Hamburg
Nature Writing, Raynor Winn | Trilogie: ‘Der Salzpfad’, ‘Wilde Stille’, ‘Überland’, published by DuMont Reiseverlag, Ostfildern
Category: Travel cookbooks
For gourmets and crime thriller fans Alexander Oetker | ‘Chez Luc – Mit Commissaire Verlain durch Frankreichs kulinarischen Südwesten. Das Aquitaine-Kochbuch’, published by Verlag Hoffmann und Campe, Hamburg
Special Cookbook Award, for riva Verlag, for the publication of six traditional cuisines:
‘Parwana – Eine kulinarische Reise durch Afghanistan’,
‘Das Tibet-Kochbuch – Traditionelle Rezepte aus dem Himalaya’,
‘Muskat, Zimt und Kardamom – Eine kulinarische Reise entlang der alten Gewürzroute’, ‘Mesopotamia – Aramäisch kochen’,
‘Das Ukraine-Kochbuch’,
‘Indien vegetarisch – Die kulinarischen Schätze der indischen Küche’
Category: Atlases, globes
World atlas, ‘KOSMOS NEUER WELTATLAS – Das Standardwerk mit aktuellen und präzisen Karten’, published by Franckh-Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart
Atlas of the Antarctic, Dr. Peter Fretwell | ‘Antarktis – Atlas eines unbekannten Kontinents’, published by Franckh-Kosmos Verlag, Stuttgart
Children’s globe, ‘Columbus Kinder-Leuchtglobus Unsere Erde’, distributed by COLUMBUS Verlag, Krauchenwies
Globe, ‘3D-Relief-Leuchtglobus Atmosphere R4 gold’, distributed by Räthgloben 1917, Markranstädt
Category: Specialist tourism literature
Guide and manual, Prof. Dr. Uwe Weithörner, Prof. Dr. Robert Goecke, Prof. Dr. Eberhard Kurz, Prof. Dr. Axel Schulz (publisher) | ‘Digitaler Tourismus – Informationsmanagement im Tourismus’, published by Verlag Walter De Gruyter/Studium, Berlin/Boston
The members of the ITB Book Awards 2023 jury are:
David Ruetz (chair), senior vice president, Messe Berlin
Eckart Baier, journalist
Cornelia Camen, journalist
Prof. Dr. Roland Conrady, Hochschule Worms, Faculty of Tourism and Travel Management
Prof. Dr. Rainer Hartmann, Hochschule Bremen, Faculty of Social Sciences, Leisure and Tourism Management
Armin Herb, Redaktionsbüro Herb
Rika Jean-François, CSR commissioner, ITB Berlin
Regine Kiepert, proprietor, Schropp Land & Karte
Martina Kraus, branch manager, RavensBuch
Burghard Rauschelbach, geographer and tourism consultant
Raphaela Sabel, journalist
Gerd W. Seidemann, journalist

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David Ruetz, long-standing show director, passes the torch to Deborah Rothe for this year’s ITB in Berlin
Deborah Rothe follows in the footsteps of David Ruetz as exhibition director of ITB Berlin, the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show. In December 2022, Ruetz became senior vice president of Travel + Logistics at Messe Berlin, in which role he oversees the ILA Berlin Airshow as well as the global ITB brand family, along with its strategic development.As with immediate effect Deborah Rothe (31) is taking over as exhibition director and project manager of ITB Berlin. The event will take place live in Berlin from 7 to 9 March 2023 as an exclusive B2B event. She replaces David Ruetz (54), who as head of ITB Berlin took over the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show in 2002. He was instrumental in building the global brand that is ITB and also contributed significantly to establishing ITB Asia in Singapore and ITB China in Shanghai. He also identified the potential of the Indian travel market and supported developing ITB India which, after two virtual editions, this year will for the first time be taking place as an in-person event in Mumbai and will further strengthen ITB’s position as a global marketplace for the travel industry.
Rothe has been employed at Messe Berlin since 2011 and joined ITB Berlin in 2014. From August 2019, as head of Business Development & Sales, her focus was on developing ITB Berlin and marketing exhibitor and visitor business for the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show. She was also instrumental in driving the B2B networking event series TRVLX by ITB in European markets, which in future will continue to be an established part of the ITB portfolio.
“With Deborah Rothe, I am delighted to be appointing an experienced colleague for this important task at ITB Berlin. With her long years of experience at ITB Berlin, not only does she know the event extremely well, she also has in-depth industry knowledge”, said David Ruetz, senior vice president, Messe Berlin.
“As exhibitor director of the World’s Largest Tourism Trade Show, I look forward to the tasks and challenges ahead. Together with our global ITB brand family and ITB Berlin we provide an impetus for many areas of the travel and tourism industry. That is why new concepts, innovation and ongoing development are essential. I look forward to driving this effort with the team“, said Deborah Rothe, exhibition director, ITB Berlin.

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