Events, Tourism, Organisations & Operators,

2023 European Capitals of Smart Tourism Pafos (Cyprus) and Seville (Spain) are participating in ITB Berlin 2023. Representatives from the two cities will be at the European Capital of Smart Tourism stand (Hall 20, stand 303).The two cities are setting the standard in a form of tourism that is accessible, digital, sustainable and creative. For tourists, this means better experiences, for locals, it means they can make the most out of their city, as well as better jobs, and, for the environment, it means a greener future.
Some of the leading practices from the two cities include:
Pafos:
Visitors can take a deep dive into the city’s history thanks to the Pafos UNESCO Archaeological park app and smart signs. These tools provide a personalised and enhanced digital guide to the destination. The app is available in several languages, includes interactive content, videos and photo galleries for each location, as well as 360 tours.The Pafos Smart Parking System uses state-of-the-art technology to provide real-time information on available parking spaces, making it easy for citizens and visitors to find a spot quickly and easily. This means fuel and time are no longer wasted, whilst looking for a space.Seville:
The city is seeking to furnish harmony between residents and visitors. One way of doing this is to manage the flow of people in congested areas. To do this, the city’s smart tourism office has set up a network of sensors, including AI cameras, Wi-Fi tracking and triangulation of operator signals. The data collected from these sensors is fed into a tool that will enable the correct redistribution of tourist flows towards areas of the city where congestion is lower, taking into consideration other tourist attractions that the city wishes to promote.Celebrations and festivals are being made fully accessible thanks to the SEVILLE ACCESSIBLE app. This tool entails integrated maps and routes, as well as noiseless schedules. It also points towards the most accessible attractions, suitable for people of all abilities.The European Capital of Smart Tourism is an EU initiative that aims to promote smart tourism in the EU by rewarding cities for their pioneering smart tourism approaches in accessibility, digitalisation, sustainability, and cultural heritage and creativity. Built on the successful experience of a preparatory action proposed by the European Parliament, the initiative seeks to foster innovative, sustainable, and inclusive tourism development, as well as spread and facilitate the exchange of best practices.ADVERTISEMENTFor the latest updates on the European Capital of Smart Tourism, follow us on our website, Facebook, or Twitter, and subscribe to our Podcast series.

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Opening press conference on 6 March with leading representatives: Georgia, Phocuswright, the German Travel Association (DRV) and Messe Berlin – ITB Media Monday on 6 March featuring fascinating press conferences with the European Travel Commission, World Travel & Tourism Council and Saudi Tourism Authority – Numerous presentations by exhibitors featuring destinations, companies and organisations at ITB Berlin from 7 to 9 March at the Hybrid Studio in Hall 5.3, hub27 and the CityCube Berlin
Only a few days to go until the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show opens its doors. With its new ITB Berlin Media Monday on 6 March 2023, ITB Berlin is for the first time kicking off one day before the official opening. “Media Monday” will start with the opening press conference on 6 March at 10 a.m. at the Palais am Funkturm exclusively for media representatives and bloggers at the Berlin Exhibition Grounds, and will be available in livestream for anyone interested on ITBxplore and the homepage of ITB Berlin (itb.com).
Katie Gallus will moderate the event and Dirk Hoffmann, the host and Managing Director of Messe Berlin, will take a look at the highlights planned for this year’s ITB Berlin. Those present will receive first-hand insights into the host country Georgia from H.E. Levan Davitashvili, Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia. Charuta Fadnis, SVP Research and Product Strategy at Phocuswright will talk about the growth of the global travel industry and present some of the trends that will dominate the market in the years to come. In addition, under the heading ’Travel is back – trends and economic outlook 2023’, Norbert Fiebig, President of the German Travel Association (DRV), will talk about the latest travel trends and provide an economic outlook for the German travel industry in 2023.
Other media events on ITB Media Monday, 6 March 2023
’Long-Haul Travel to Europe: What to expect in 2023’ – press conference with the European Travel Commission (ETC)ADVERTISEMENTSpeakers: Luis Araujo, president, European Travel Commission (ETC) and Turismo de Portugal, Tom Jenkins, CEO, European Tourism Association (ETOA) and David Goodger, director, Tourism Economics
11.45 a.m. – 12.30 p.m., Palais am Funkturm, and online on ITBxplore and itb.com
Press conference – World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
Speaker: Julia Simpson, president & CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council
1.15 p.m. – 2 p.m., Palais am Funkturm, and online on ITBxplore and itb.com
Unexpected Arabia: Discover Saudi
Speakers: Hazim Al Hazmi, Saudi Tourism Authority, Abdulrahman Aljefri, Diriyah, Julia Stubenböck, Royal Commission for AlUla Germany, Abdullah AlZahrani, Red Sea Global
2.45 p.m. – 3.30 p.m., Palais am Funkturm, and online on ITBxplore and itb.com
Press events: Tuesday, 7 March 2023
Official opening tour of ITB Berlin including a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the stand of Georgia
Times to be announced shortly. Media members wishing to attend must be accredited for ITB Berlin.
Start of the tour: stand of Georgia, hub27/Stand 201
Press conference – alltours
Organiser: alltours Flugreisen GmbH
9 a.m. – 11 p.m., hub27, Room Beta 8
LGBTQ+ Media Brunch proudly presented by Visit Malta & Europride 2023
The media networking event is open to all media members and bloggers interested in LGBTQ+ tourism. Exhibitors present: Comunitat Valencia, Europride 2023, Florida Keys & Key West, Gay Games 2026, GNETWORK Madrid, IGLTA, Local Gay Guide, Mykonistas, Munich Tourist Board, Proudly Portugal, TOMONTOUR, visit.brussels, Visit Buenos Aires and Visit Malta. To register please email [email protected]
10 – 11.15 a.m., LGBTQ+ Tourism Pavilion, Hall 4.1
Press conference – Ferienregion Nationalpark Hohe Tauern & Großglockner Hochalpenstraße
Organiser: Ferienregion Nationalpark Hohe Tauern GmbH
11 a.m. – 12 midday, hub27, Room Beta 2
Press conference – South Africa
Organiser: South African Tourism
12 midday – 1 p.m., CityCube Berlin, Room R12
Press conference – Qatar Airways
Organiser: Qatar Airways
12 midday – 1 p.m., CityCube Berlin, Room A3
Press conference – the travel region of Saxony-Anhalt
Organiser: Investitions- und Marketinggesellschaft Sachsen- Anhalt
12.30 p.m. – 2 p.m., hub27, Room Beta 1
Maldives Media Meet
Organiser: Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation
1 p.m. – 1.45 p.m., Hybrid Studio, Hall 5.3 and online at ITBxplore
Official opening of the Medical & Health Tourism Pavilion and Medical Media Lunch, sponsored by the Catalan Tourist Board
At the start of the event a minute’s silence will be held for the earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria. Exhibitors present: ESPA – European Spas Association, Ensana Hotel Group, EHTTA – European Historic Thermal Towns Association, GSTE – Great Spa Towns of Europe, HTI – Health Tourism Industry, Gremi Clinic, Albania, Dünyagöz Eye Clinic, Istanbul and many others.
To register please email at [email protected]
1 p.m. – 2 p.m., Medical & Health Tourism Pavilion, Hall 26c
Press conference – Malaysia
Organiser: Malaysia Tourism
2 p.m. – 3 p.m., CityCube Berlin, Room M1
Meeting of tour operators of the travel region of Saxony-Anhalt
Organiser: Investitions- und Marketinggesellschaft Sachsen-Anhalt
2 p.m. – 4 p.m., hub27, Room Gamma 3
Mecklenburg West-Pomerania – what’s new at this holiday destination, featuring a preview to mark the 250th birthday of Caspar David Friedrich
Organiser: Tourismusverband Mecklenburg-Vorpommern e.V.
2.15 p.m. – 3 p.m., Hybrid Studio, Hall 5.3, and online on ITBxplore
Presentation by Georgia followed by a reception
Mariam Kvrivishvili, Deputy Minister for the Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, will present Georgia’s main tourism highlights.
3 p.m., CityCube Berlin, Room M6
Press conference – Egypt
Organiser: Egyptian Tourism Authority
3 p.m. – 4 p.m., CityCube Berlin, Room M2
Guidance for trips to China in 2023 – what to observe
Organiser: CIBTvisas
3.30 p.m. – 4.15 p.m., Hybrid Studio, Hall 5.3, and online on ITBxplore
Press events, Wednesday, 8 March 2023   
Scandlines – eco-friendly sea trips to Scandinavia
Breakfast with the press – 2023
Organiser: Scandlines
10 a.m. – 12 midday, CityCube Berlin, Room R3
Opportunities for business and cooperation in East Africa
Organiser: Bondacon International
10.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m., CityCube Berlin, Room R2
Costa Rica: Sustainable tourism and what’s new
Organiser: Costa Rica
11.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m., hub27, Room Beta 4
Press conference – Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg
Organiser: Flughafen Berlin Brandenburg GmbH
11.45 a.m. – 12.30 p.m., Hybrid Studio, Hall 5.3, and online on ITBxplore
Fostering Sustainable Tourism through Social Entrepreneurship:
Best Practices and Challenges. Meet the winners of the Social Entrepreneurship Competition in Tourism (2022)
Organiser: Social Entrepreneurship in Tourism Competition in cooperation with ITB Berlin
1 p.m. – 1.45 p.m., Hybrid Studio, Hall 5.3, and online on ITBxplore
Explore Adventure Tourism in Georgia
Organiser: The USAID Georgia Economic Security Program
2.15 p.m. – 3 p.m., Hybrid Studio, Hall 5.3, and online on ITBxplore
5th IIPT CELEBRATING HER AWARDS
presented by the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT), India in cooperation with ITB Berlin
Honours will be presented for women’s outstanding achievements in the travel, tourism and hospitality sector.
3.30 p.m.– 4.15 p.m., Hybrid Studio, Hall 5.3, and online on ITBxplore
Gender Equality Champion of the Year Award – the first award of its kind in the tourism sectorThe new award is being presented by Equality in Tourism (equalityintourism.org) in cooperation with ITB Berlin. It honours tourism organisations for their outstanding achievements in supporting gender equality. The idea is to celebrate successes, but also to drive improvements and encourage tourism companies to integrate gender equality in their policies and the day-to-day working environment.
4.45 p.m. – 5.30 p.m., Hybrid Studio, Hall 5.3, and online on ITBxplore
PATWA INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AWARDS
Organiser: Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA)
2.30 p.m. – 5.30 p.m. in the CityCube Berlin, Room A4
Press events, Thursday, 9 March 2023
ADFC Bicycle Travel Analysis 2023
Organiser: Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club e.V. (ADFC)
10 a.m. – 11.30 a.m., CityCube Berlin, Room A4
Press conference – Amazing Thailand
Organiser: Tourism Authority of Thailand
11.45 a.m. – 12.30 p.m., Hybrid Studio, Hall 5.3
Best travel journalism of the year –
Presentation of the VDRJ Columbus Journalism Awards 2022
Organiser: Vereinigung Deutscher Reisejournalisten (VDRJ) e.V.
4.30 p.m. – 6 p.m., Hybrid Studio, Hall 5.3, and online on ITBxplore
Presentation of the Best Exhibitor Award
Organiser: CBS International Business School in cooperation with co:compass and ITB Berlin
6.30 p.m., Blue Stage, Hall 7.1b
Details of all events can be found in the summary of events and online on ITBxplore.
Online accreditation for ITB Berlin 2023
Media members and bloggers can register for ITB Berlin, subject to observance of the accreditation guidelines. After your application has been processed and approved you will receive an email with a PDF containing your ITB press accreditation, which you can print out.
Accreditation for ITB Berlin 2023
Please note: during ITB Berlin it will not be possible for press representatives to obtain accreditation at the press counters on the grounds. We therefore request you obtain accreditation online ahead of the event.

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ITB Berlin, the world’s largest B2B tourism trade show, will celebrate International Women’s Day (March 8) with a series of panels and award ceremonies discussing and championing gender equality.
Starting on March 7, the day before International Women’s Day, at the ITB Berlin Convention at the Diversity & Inclusion track on ITB’s Green Stage in Hall 3.1, a session will take place on gender equality titled “Gender Equality: Tourism as a door opener for female empowerment & the role of gender equality in addressing the climate crisis”.
During the session, the panel will examine whether tourism can help further empower women around the world and drive emancipation, and to what extent gender equality can better assist fighting the climate crisis.Furthermore, on March 8, ITB’s hybrid studio in Hall 5.3 will host an event with the winners of the International Social Entrepreneurship in Tourism competition, which was co-founded by ITB Berlin.
A few hours later at the same venue, the presentation of the fifth Celebrating Her award will also take place.
A collaboration between ITB Berlin and the Indian representatives of the International Institute for Peace in Tourism (IIPT), the event will honor women for their outstanding achievements in tourism, while images of previous years’ winners will be on display at a small exhibition in Hall 7.1.The event will be followed by the presentation of the Gender Equality Champion of the Year award held by the NGO Equality in Tourism, in cooperation with ITB Berlin will take place.ADVERTISEMENTThe first award of its kind in the tourism sector honors tourism organizations for their outstanding achievements in supporting gender equality.
The idea behind the award is to celebrate successes, but also to drive improvements and encourage tourism companies to integrate gender equality in their policies and the day-to-day working environment.Last year, the organization was itself the recipient of the Human Rights award of the Studienkreis für Tourismus. The session and both awards ceremonies can also be followed live on ITBxplore.
ITB Berlin 2023 will take place as a pure B2B event under the slogan “Open for Change” from Tuesday, March 7, to Thursday, March 9. The internationally renowned ITB Berlin Convention will take place parallel to the show and will be held live on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds – selected sessions will be streamed on ITBxplore.
International Women’s Day is a public holiday in Berlin.
Source: https://news.gtp.gr/

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It is THE place for all accredited travel bloggers and influencers to meet, network, blog, vlog or simply recharge their batteries.This year’s focus of the ITB Blogger Base is on sponsor Andalucía, a region from the south of Spain, which, for example, is organising a get-together in the base exclusively for the bloggers from 4 pm to 5 pm on 7 March. A real event highlight will be the tasting of Andalusian specialities: sherry wine from Jeréz will be served by a professional “venenciador”, accompanied by genuine Iberian ham of the highest quality, prepared by a typical “cortador de jamón”.
However, our travel bloggers can not only be surprised by the culinary richness of the region of Andalusia, but also by its cultural, scenic and sporting diversity and network directly with representatives from the region.
The focus of the region in the south of the Iberian Peninsula: more than 800 kilometres of coastline, three national parks and cities such as Seville, Córdoba or Granada. Let yourself be enchanted by the Andalusian coast with its diverse beaches, fantastic cliffs, marshes full of life and a still quite unknown underwater world just waiting to be discovered. Or fantastic climatic conditions and the quality of existing sports facilities that make Andalusia a privileged place for sporting activities and events. Go on a voyage of discovery of the cultural riches that the region of Andalusia has to offer, dating back to early antiquity. Important archaeological sites tell of the past of different cultures and civilisations that settled in this beautiful, rich region of southern Spain.
As you can see, there is much to discover! So be sure to stop by the Andalusia stand in Hall 2.1 (Stand 201 A-C)!

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The ITB Responsible Tourism track at the ITB Berlin Convention features climate change action, resilience and regeneration as key topics. BTN’s Sion Rapson looks at the events taking place at this year’s event.
Socially responsible tourism has long been on the agenda of the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show. This year’s ITB Berlin, which is taking place from 7 to 9 March 2023, is again raising awareness for social responsibility in tourism with a wide range of panel discussions, seminars and lectures. The ITB Responsible Tourism track at the ITB Berlin Convention (until 2020 the CSR Day) and the 18th Green Business Forum for Tourism Professionals (known until 2020 as the Pow-Wow for Tourism Professionals) are a significant part of this. As well as the Responsible Tourism track, the Sustainable Destination track and Diversity & Inclusion Track will also feature experts and representatives of selected exhibitors talking about socially responsible tourism, equal rights, diversity, inclusion and sustainable tourism development.
At ITB Berlin, responsible tourism stands for environmentally and socially responsible tourism around the world. Hall 4.1 is where traditionally numerous exhibitors with a strong commitment to socially responsible tourism are gathered. Thus, there will again be a combined stand with Tourism Watch, the Roundtable on Human Rights in Tourism, ECPAT Germany, The Code and Studienkreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung, together with the stands of the Import Promotion Desk (IPD), the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and UNESCO. In Hall 4.1, exhibitors with a focus on environmentally responsible tourism will include My Climate, Atmosfair and Forum Anders Reisen. From 7 to 9 March on the ITB Lighthouse Stage in Hall 4.1, the focus will be on the 18th Green Business Forum for Tourism Professionals. Exhibitors in Hall 4.1 and leading international experts representing every tourism market, business and science will discuss topics including overtourism, marine protection and pollution, regional foods in hotels and restaurants, biodiversity, alternative mobility and cycle tourism. On Thursday, the last Day of ITB Berlin, the popular on-stage ITB Responsible Tourism Network Event will be taking place again. This is co-organised by ITB Berlin and its longtime Responsible Tourism partner The Blue Yonder.
Focus on the future at the Responsible Tourism track on Thursday, 9 March
On Thursday, 9 March, the Responsible Tourism Track with climate change action, resilience and regeneration as its key topics will again be an unmissable event at the ITB Berlin Convention. At the Responsible Tourism track on the Orange Stage in Hall 7.1a an interim assessment will be given on the Agenda 2030 with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. How the tourism industry can live up to its promises on the environment while becoming a more equitable sector will be the subject of debates, scientific reports and critical panel discussions, with best practices provided as evidence. At 2 p.m. the topics of climate change, rising sea levels and resilience will be addressed in a speech by Abdulla Mausoom, tourism minister of the Maldives, followed by a session on practical problem-solving with regard to tourism.ADVERTISEMENTAt 4 p.m. at the session entitled ’Shaping a just and equitable industry transformation’, the focus will be on employment conditions in tourism. Following a keynote speech by Dirk Meyer, department head, Global Health, Economy, Trade and Rural Development at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the panel members Leila Ben-Gacem, social entrepreneur and founder of Blue Fish, Benjamin Owen, project manager, UNWTO, Anjana Raza, head of Social Sustainability, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, and Merten Sievers, global coordinator, Value Chains and Entrepreneurship SME Unit, International Labour Organization (ILO), will discuss how to achieve sustainable jobs, a socially and ecologically responsible industrial transformation, climate adaptation and resilience against the backdrop of climate change and the impact of external shocks.
On Thursday, 9 March at 5.45 p.m., the Responsible Tourism track will conclude with an open reception on the Orange Stage in Hall 7.1a. As part of the industry dialogue entitled ’Tourism for Sustainable Development’, the Agency for Business and Economic Development, the cooperative network Business Scouts for Development and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) are extending an invitation to an open exchange with policymakers, representatives of the private sector and civic organisations.
Diversity & Inclusion track and Sustainable Destination track as platforms for discussing the development of sustainable destinations on Tuesday, 7 March
The ITB Diversity track sees itself as a discussion platform for raising awareness in order to make tourism more inclusive and fair and to ensure respect for human rights in tourism. Authentic speakers will report on activities setting examples around the world and in every tourism market. The programme will feature discussions on LGBTQ+ tourism, gender equality, inclusion, equal rights. the rights of indigenous peoples and on how war and geopolitical events impact tourism.
At the LGBTQ+ session entitled ’LQBTQ+ Tourism und Resilience’, an announcement will also be made on the winner of the ITB LGBTQ+ Pioneer Award. The session will begin at 12.10 p.m. on the Green Stage in Hall 3.1. On Thursday, 9 March at 7 p.m. at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, on the last day of ITB Berlin, the ITB Diversity Gala will take place for the first time in support of the IGLTA Foundation. During the event a silent auction will conclude in support of the foundation.
Destinations and companies need to invest in intelligent, sustainable development and place an emphasis on the quality of life of local communities and their supply chains. Destination development in the future must above all focus on resilience – at the Sustainable Destination track on Tuesday, 7 March, on the Green Stage in Hall 3.1, speakers championing ideas on this subject will present their views, implementation practices and applied sciences.
On Tuesday, 7 March from 2 to 2.45 p.m., in addition to the long-established TO DO! Award for socially responsible tourism, Studienkreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung will for the third time present the TO DO! Human Rights in Tourism Award on the Green Stage in Hall 3.1. ITB Berlin will also be on the jury. Studienkreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung has presented this award annually since 2017. It honours initiatives, projects and individuals for outstanding achievements in protecting and defending human rights principles throughout the entire tourism value chain.
Inspiring stories which show how destinations all over the world are trying to make tourism more resilient and sustainable by making a positive contribution to the local community and environment – these are being honoured by ITB Berlin. On Tuesday, 7 March, at 4.35 p.m. on the Green Stage in Hall 3.1, the Green Destinations Group will present the Green Destination Story Awards. The award recognises the most inspiring initiatives in six categories out of all the entries for the annual Green Destinations Top 100 Stories competition. At ITB Berlin three finalists per category will receive awards. The ceremony will also honour the winners of the ITB Earth Award and People’s Choice Award. The ITB Earth Award honours destinations displaying initiative and global leadership in the fight against climate change and environmental destruction and in support of sustainable tourism. At the presentation of the Green Destination Story Awards the destination voted for by the public will receive the People’s Choice Award. The complete stories of the nominated destinations can be found under nominated stories.
Full details of the programme of theme tracks can be found here: Responsible Tourism Track, Diversity & Inclusion Track, Sustainable Destination Track. https://www.itb.com/
Highlights marking International Women’s Day on 8 March
8 March, which is International Women’s Day and a public holiday in Berlin, will provide an opportunity for additional events on gender equality. On 7 March, the day before International Women’s Day, at the ITB Berlin Convention at the Diversity & Inclusion track on the Green Stage in Hall 3.1, a session will take place on gender equality. This will examine whether tourism can help further empower women around the world and drive emancipation, and to what extent gender equality can better assist fighting the climate crisis. On 8 March at midday at the hybrid studio in Hall 5.3, an event will take place with the winners of the International Social Entrepreneurship in Tourism Competition, which was co-founded by ITB Berlin. The number of entries is very high. On Wednesday, 8 March, from 3.30 to 4.15 p.m. at the hybrid studio, the presentation will take place of the fifth Celebrating Her Award, a collaboration between ITB Berlin and the Indian representatives of the International Institute for Peace in Tourism (IIPT), which honours women for their outstanding achievements in tourism. Images of previous years’ winners will be on display at a small exhibition in Hall 7.1. Afterwards, at 4.45 p.m., the presentation will take place for the first time of the Gender Equality Champion of the Year award held by the NGO Equality in Tourism, in cooperation with ITB Berlin. The first award of its kind in the tourism sector, it honours tourism organisations for their outstanding achievements in supporting gender equality. The idea is to celebrate successes, but also to drive improvements and encourage tourism companies to integrate gender equality in their policies and the day-to-day working environment. Last year, the organisation was itself the recipient of the Human Rights Award of the Studienkreis für Tourismus. The session and both awards ceremonies can also be followed live on ITBxplore.
Over the three days of ITB Berlin donations will be collected on the exhibition grounds for a welfare project chosen by this year’s host country Georgia. This year, donations will be going to support the Georgian Farmers‘ Association (GFA). This non-profit organisation was established in 2012 and currently numbers 4,000 farmers from all parts of Georgia.

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The 23rd World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit will take place in Kigali, Rwanda, 1st – 3rd November 2023
WTTC’s annual Global Summit is the most influential Travel & Tourism event on the calendar, and this year, industry leaders will once again gather with key government representatives to continue aligning efforts to support the sector’s recovery and move beyond to a safer, more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.
More information will follow on how to register for this hybrid event, but for now just add WTTC’s industry leading event to your diary – you won’t want to miss it!
Julia SimpsonPresident & CEOwww.wttc.org

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’Infinite Hospitality’ is the slogan of the host country of ITB Berlin 2023 – Events will kick off with the opening press conference and opening gala on 6 March – A wealth of displays and events in hub27, Hall 4.1., Entrance South and throughout the ITB Berlin Convention – Culinary attractions and handicrafts: daily activities on the Georgian stand – Representation devoted to MICE audiences in Hall 3.1The stage is set for Georgia, the host country of ITB Berlin. From 7 to 9 March 2023 at ITB Berlin, the World’s Largest Travel Trade Show, taking as its slogan ’Infinite Hospitality’, the Georgian National Tourism Administration (GNTA) will be making an impressive appearance featuring a wide range of tourism attractions and many activities and events.
Events kick off with the opening press conference and the official opening gala on 6 March, the eve of the show
On 6 March 2023, events will kick off with the official opening press conference at 10 a.m. at the Palais am Funkturm with H.E Mr. Levan Davitashvili, Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, and the festive opening gala at 6 p.m. at the CityCube Berlin. Throughout the trade show Georgia will be widely represented on the exhibition grounds in both hub27, Hall 4.1 and Entrance South.
At the official opening show on the evening of 6 March 2023, all stage events will take place under the heading ’Infinite Georgian Culture – from the beginnings of viniculture to modern avant-garde art’. The brilliant presentations will be contemporary in style and present masterpieces of various genres of Georgia’s performing arts, including ethno jazz, classical and electronic music, part-singing, as well as the Georgian National Ballet.
Culinary attractions and handicrafts: daily activities on the stand in hub27ADVERTISEMENTAround 80 exhibitors from the tourism, hotel and aviation industries will be represented on Georgia’s stand occupying around 705 square metres and two floors in hub27. The official opening tour of ITB Berlin will as always take place on the morning of the first day of the show, 7 March 2023, on the stand of the host country with an official ribbon cutting ceremony, attended by the Prime Minister of Georgia, the Governing Mayor of Berlin, the Secretary-General of UNWTO and the Managing Director of Messe Berlin. Daily activities on Georgia’s stand will include culinary masterclasses, handicraft workshops and a calligraphy masterclass (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), at which Georgian Saperavi wine will also be served.
In addition, the host country will also be represented in Hall 4.1, home of the Youth Travel and Accommodation and Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism segments. On 7 March 2023 at 2 p.m., a representative of Georgia will open the stand there with a speech. Moreover, The Panel Discussion: “Adventurous Georgia – Possibilities, Offers and Challenges” will be held at the Lighthouse Stage in Hall 4.1b, where the audience will have the chance to get more information about adventure tourism potential of Georgia, new initiatives and opportunities, sustainable development vision as wall es experience Georgia’s gorgeous hiking regions, dense forests and exciting nature parks.
Additional events featuring the host country Georgia at ITB Berlin
Visitors to the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show can look forward to more events featuring this year’s host country at ITB Berlin. At the ITB Berlin Convention, Georgia will be taking part in the Ministers Round Table: “Ministers Round Table: Mastering Transformation on a Global Scale” on 7 March 2023 from 1 to 1.45 p.m. in Hall 7.1. On Tuesday, 7 March 2023, from 10.30 to 11.10 a.m., the ITB Berlin Convention session “Gender Equality in Tourism” will welcome a representative from Georgia to the podium of the “Green Stage” in Hall 3.1.
On 7 March 2023 at 3 p.m.at the CityCube Berlin (Room M6), Georgia will extend an invitation to a press conference at which, as part of a national presentation, it will present the country along with tourism highlights. In the framework of the event Mariam Kvrivishvili, Deputy Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, will provide the audience with significant information about Georgia’s tourism potential, namely, developments and trends, offerings and competitive tourism products, new policies and initiatives to support the sustainable tourism development.
On Wednesday, 8 March, the host country will be hosting a networking event at its stand in hub27 from 3 to 4 pm. In Hall 5.3, in the Hybrid Studio, a session on “Discovering Adventure Tourism in Georgia” will be held from 2 to 3 pm. Speakers include Urs Wellauer, President of the Intl. Federation of Mountain Guides Association IFMGA, Nick Paliani, freeride skier and IFMGA mountain guide, and la Tabagari, Chair of the Georgian Incoming Tour Operators/ GM of the Lost Ridge Group.
At the south entrance to the exhibition grounds, visitors to ITB Berlin can look forward daily to DJ music and coffee from 9.30 to 11 a.m. as well as music and Georgian wine from 4.30 to 6 p.m.
Representation devoted to MICE audiences in Hall 3.1
At the MICE HUB in Hall 3.1, the Convention and Exhibition Bureau of Georgia (GCEB) will highlight the country’s potential in the MICE sector as well as possibilities for collaboration. Representatives of the GCEB will hold national presentations twice daily. The Convention and Exhibition Bureau of Georgia (GCEB) belongs to the Georgian Tourism Board and the Georgian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. The GCEB was set up in 2016 and is a member-based organisation which aims to establish Georgia as an attractive MICE destination on the global business travel map. Its main goal is to increase the number of international events, conferences and meetings in Georgia.

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The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is leading an impressive delegation of 70 Thai tourism suppliers to ITB Berlin 2023, which is on from 7-9 March, 2023, and is the first in-person staging of the leading travel show since the pandemic.Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said “The strong Thailand presence at ITB Berlin 2023 will reiterate to the world’s travel and tourism community that Thailand is again welcoming all visitors with the ‘Visit Thailand Year 2023: Amazing New Chapters’ campaign, which highlights the kingdom’s 5Fs soft-power foundations and the new direction towards experience-based tourism and a meaningful travel experience.”
At the forefront of the Thailand presence at this the 56th edition of ITB Berlin, is the Thailand Stand and which is carrying the theme of ‘Visit Thailand Year 2023: Amazing New Chapters’.
The Thailand Stand will showcase the leveraging of the kingdom’s 5Fs soft-power foundations – Food, Film, Fashion, Festival, and Fight, new tourism offerings and experiences to be enjoyed throughout the country, and the push towards a meaningful travel experience for tourists – with a focus on sustainable and responsible tourism. And as people are now more health conscious than ever before, the stand will also highlight Thailand’s health and wellness offerings.
For the delegation of Thai tourism suppliers, ITB Berlin 2023 will be a valuable platform for reconnecting face-to-face with overseas tour operators – both existing business partners and potential new ones.
Among the specific activities Thailand is holding at ITB Berlin 2023 is the Thailand Mini Mart 2023, which will involve business meetings between the Thai tourism suppliers and operators selling Thailand from new markets identified as having great potential for travel to Thailand, including the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, and Hungary.  ADVERTISEMENTA more informal and social opportunity for networking between the Thai suppliers and overseas partners will be in the form of the Thailand Mini Mart Happy Hour.
At the Amazing Thailand Press Conference, members of the global tourism industry and media will be updated on the ‘Visit Thailand Year 2023: Amazing New Chapters’ campaign, and some of the exciting new tourism products and wonderful experiences on offer throughout the kingdom.
TAT is also organising the “Discover Thailand Journey to Happiness” special event from 9-11 March, 2023, on the 6th floor at KaDeWe (Kaufhaus des Westerns) department store in Berlin. This enormous complex attracts 40,000 to 50,000 visitors daily, and the Thai event will showcase Thailand’s 5 soft power (Food Fight Film Festival Fashion) to store-goers. There will be cooking demonstrations of popular Thai food dishes, snacks and desserts, along with presentations and performances of Thai arts and culture.
Information on travel to Thailand and the many wonderful tourism experiences waiting to be enjoyed throughout the kingdom will be on hand for distribution, and tour packages to Thailand will be on sale. In addition, in collaboration with TAT, Thailand’s Central Group, which acquired the KaDeWe Group in partnership with Signa, will be holding a lucky draw.

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