Events, Organisations & Operators,

Chinese exhibitors and travel professionals are making a welcome return to Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023 which is being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) for its 30th edition from 1-4 May, for the first time in three years.
China lifted its covid-related travel restrictions on 8th January 2023, allowing Chinese tourists to travel abroad, without having to quarantine upon their return.  Bookings for overseas travel during Chinese New Year, soared by 540% compared with the same period in 2022, according to data from the Chinese travel site Trip.com.
Furthermore, in a CNN report, Steve Saxon, a partner at McKinsey, based in Shenzhen,  predicted the Chinese outbound market would recover to around six million per month by the summer of 2023, driven in part by the pent-up demand especially from young, affluent Chinese.
Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market commented, “China became the world’s top source market in 2019, with 155 million tourists spending more than $250 billion overseas. However, its isolation from the global market over the past three years has set the industry back by an estimated $840 billion, equivalent, to 16% of the $1.7 trillion spent annually on global tourism, according to UNWTO.”
Dubai received almost one million Chinese visitors in 2019, which was an increase of over 15% compared with 2018. And while the 154,000 Chinese visitors Dubai welcomed over the first 11 months of 2022 was down 83% compared to the same period prior to 2020, it was up 115% year-on-year, which bodes well not only for Dubai, but also for the wider Middle East tourism sector.ADVERTISEMENTPopular destinations such as Dubai, Saudi’s AlUla, Egypt and Jordan, which have consistently marketed to Chinese outbound business-to-consumer and business-to-business, should be in a strong position to benefit from the predicted rebound of Chinese visitor numbers.
“We have noticed a considerable amount of enquiries recently from travel professionals in China. Although we would not expect the same volume of Chinese exhibitors and visitors we received in 2019, we are confident of healthy participation numbers this year,” she added.
The market leading travel and tourism event brings the whole world together in the Middle East. Join us from 1–4 May 2023 in Dubai, UAE.
Considering the short notice, ATM 2023 has already confirmed the participation of key Chinese exhibitors such as FLIGHTROUTES24 Travel, Shenzhen GoodLuck Trip International and Travel World China, with many more bookings anticipated ahead of the show.
ATM is also organising a dedicated conference session on its Global Stage, entitled ‘China is back on the map: Macro and micro impacts’, in partnership with Dragon Trail International.
An expert panel of speakers including Sienna Parulis-Cook, Director, Marketing and Communications for Dragon Trail International, Peggy Li, CEO & Chief Trouble shooter at sps:affinity and Winnie Chiu, President, Dorsett Hospitality International, will discuss the latest trends that are driving the recovery of Chinese tourism to the Middle East.
Business travel will be integral to the tourism revival. According to a recent survey by the Shanghai Institute of International Studies and PwC China, over 75% of Chinese businesses polled were looking to enter or expand their presence in the Middle East over the next three to five years, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia top destinations for investors.
“I am convinced that the Middle East will experience a surge in Chinese tourism, reminiscent of the rebound we witnessed from Europe and India in late 2021 and early 2022,” said Curtis.
Other highlights at ATM 2023 include exploring the future of sustainable travel in line with its theme of ‘Working Towards Net Zero’. Having officially initiated its journey to net zero, the conference programme will explore how innovative sustainable travel trends will likely evolve. It will enable delegates to identify growth strategies within key vertical sectors while providing a platform for regional experts to explore a sustainable future ahead of COP28, which will take place in November 2023 at Expo City Dubai.
The conference will also feature a sustainability category at its annual exhibitor awards for the first time. Exhibiting organisations will be recognised based on the extent to which they have considered the environmental impact of their stands and their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.
ATM 2023 is held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre, and its strategic partners include Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as the Destination Partner, Emirates as the Official Airline Partner, IHG Hotels & Resorts as the Official Hotel Partner and Al Rais Travel as the Official DMC Partner.

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The 2023 edition of the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge officially kicks off More

Hotelschool The Hague has announced the launch of the 2023 Sustainable Hospitality Challenge (SHC). This year’s edition will include for the first time, leading international architecture, technology and design universities who will be joining the participating top-tier hospitality institutions to form multidisciplinary student teams.
The Sustainable Hospitality Challenge (SHC) is a Hotelschool The Hague initiative that aims to enhance the evolution of sustainable hospitality, foster innovation driven by the leaders of tomorrow, and nurture talent on a global scale by bringing them close to industry organisations who want to reimagine the future of hospitality.
Over 40+ universities from around the globe, including returning champions, Cornell University, Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), Toronto Metropolitan University, Hotel Institute Montreux, CY Cergy Paris Université, and Hotelschool The Hague, will be competing in this year’s challenge.
Paul Griep, founder of the SHC said:“When looking at Cornell University’s winning 2022 concept, it is a perfect example of added value thanks to multi-disciplinary synergy. By seeking the support from aero-space engineers, architects and financial advisors, they were able to lift their winning project to the next level. Working with other disciplines in the 2023 SHC will allow innovation to be well integrated, complete and feasible. I am already seeing how bringing together students from different disciplines in this year’s challenge benefits the sustainable future of our industry and the planet. It will empower them to create the best, most innovative, and complete concepts. I welcome all multi-disciplinary teams to this year’s challenge and cannot wait to see what great concepts they have created. “
The challenge, founded in 2014 as the ‘Genio Worldwide Innovation Summit,’ has re-established itself to make sustainability its central theme, given the urgent relevance of the climate crisis to the hospitality industry. Presented by Hotelschool The Hague, The Sustainable Hospitality Challenge, together with their partners The Bench, The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, and its main sponsor NEOM, is committed to building a more sustainable future.ADVERTISEMENTChris Newman, the Executive Director for Hotel Development at NEOM said: “We are delighted to support the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge once more in its mission to inspire and challenge the next generation of hoteliers to create innovative and sustainable concepts. We are looking forward to witnessing the inventive projects and creative solutions that the students will come up with.”

Last year’s edition of the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge had ‘REMOTE’ as its central theme. The winning team from Cornell University presented their concept “Nimbus”, an eco-resort in remote areas. By means of hot air balloons, Nimbus
would bring economic opportunities to local communities while promoting sustainable tourism.
The theme of this year’s challenge will be: ‘ONE WITH NATURE’, focusses on the urgent need to preserve and regenerate ecosystems. Primarily inspired by NEOM’s respectful relationship with nature, this year’s challenge touches upon regenerative tourism.
NEOM is located in the Tabuk Province of north-western Saudi Arabia. It will cover 26,500km2 and extend 460 km along the coast of the Red Sea. Built on a most ancient land, enhanced by world-leading design, immersive digital experiences and seamless travel. It will challenge and shape the possibilities of global travel in the years to come.
Griep also added saying:” last year, we got the opportunity to visit NEOM, and it was incredible to witness their focus on the preservation of its surrounding. Regenerative tourism and protecting nature are a clear golden thread that runs through all of their initiatives.”
The qualifications rounds will be held in March 2023, followed by the semi-finals in Amsterdam. The finals, in partnership with The Bench and The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, will be held at the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) in Abu Dhabi. Tickets and information for these events will be shared on LinkedIn, Instagram, and the challenge’s website, www.thestudentchallenge.com.
“We’re very excited to host the finals of the Sustainable Hospitality Challenge at the Future Hospitality Summit again this year and we look forward to welcoming the finalists to Abu Dhabi in September. We have been blown away by the young talent over the past few years and I’m sure we’re in for a great final round again this year, especially with the introduction of the multidisciplinary teams. Architecture, design and technology are key drivers of innovation in hospitality and I’m excited to see what sustainable solutions they will be able to bring to our industry,” said Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench.
“The Sustainable Hospitality Challenge is always one of the highlights of our summit. It is exciting to see these young bright minds come together to think of solutions for a more sustainable future for the hospitality industry” Glenn Mandziuk, CEO Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.
“Change is the only constant for sustainability and innovation and the next generation of hospitality professionals are those who will push the envelope of innovation for all of us. Giving them a voice and decision-making powers to lead the change bottom-up will further disrupt our space and drive more change. This is why we have chosen to join and contribute to the student challenge and drive change with the youth talent from far and wide joining our ranks. Looking forward to the disruptive ideas they will share for a greener and more inclusive world.” Marloes Knippenberg, CEO of Kerten Hospitality.

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A pioneer in terms of debates related to responsible practices in tourism, WTM Latin America has announced the 15 finalists for the Responsible Tourism Award 2023. The award is part of WTM’s Global Responsible Tourism Awards and is commemorating its third edition in Latin America with the purpose of publicly recognising the most inspiring and replicable initiatives in sustainable and responsible tourism, with the main goal being to promote positive changes throughout the entire travel and tourism industry.
In addition to the recognition for their initiatives, the finalists’ reputations get a boost and they also benefit in terms of learning, bearing in mind that they take their business to another level and are given feedback by experts, in addition to having access to the segment’s main trends. The 66 entries came from a number of Latin American countries and were initially assessed by the 18 professionals who make up the jury for the third edition of WTM Latin America’s Responsible Tourism Award.
Made up of renowned Latin American professionals from different areas – travel agents, operators, association leaders, public authorities, journalists and opinion makers – the jury takes a number of aspects into account in order to determine the finalists and, subsequently, the winners in six different categories. The main criteria are originality, potential for replication and the possibility of measuring the impacts achieved as a result of the proposed solution.
“The progress in the quality of the candidates for this award is quite remarkable. From the number of applications to the data presented, proving that the Latin American tourist trade is increasingly taking responsibility for the impact that it is having on destinations and communities and contributing to the sustainable development of our sector.  The 15 finalist projects that we have here are original and replicable. We are proud to be able to bring such inspiring cases to light,” says Gustavo Pinto, WTM Latin America’s advisor and the Award’s coordinator.
The 15 finalists are from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Ecuador. From these groups the winners will be announced, on April 4, on the stage of the Explore Transformation theatre, and awarded with the Gold, Silver and One to Watch Awards.ADVERTISEMENTIn alphabetical order, the finalists in this edition are as follows: Diáspora. Black (Brazil), Equatur (Ecuador), the government of the department of Antioquia (Colombia), the State of Mato Grosso do Sul’s Tourism Foundation (Brazil), La Union Coffee Farm (Colombia), Las Torres Patagonia (Chile), Pipa Convention Bureau (the State of Rio Grande do Norte/Brazil), Quinti Ecuador (Ecuador), Raízes Desenvolvimento Sustentável (Brazil), Rede BATUC – Community Tourism of the State of Bahia (Brazil), Rota do Enxaimel (Pomerode – in the State of Santa Catarina, Brazil), Say Hueque (Argentina), Sebrae Maranhão (Brazil), Toca do Kainã (Santo Antonio do Jardim – the State of Sao Paulo/Brazil) and Wilderness Patagonia (Argentina).

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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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