Six out of ten ITB exhibitors do not feel affected by the financial crisis, a current survey by the fair administration sampled.

However, 15 per cent of the interviewed representatives registered a strong or even very strong damage for their business. Many of the surveyed believe the behaviour of the customers is to change due to the downturn.

52 per cent suspect that the duration of holidays are going to shrink in perpetuity. 60 per cent of the exhibitors even consider that the share of outbound travel will decrease. 62 per cent expect that there will be less business travel. 68 per cent anticipate a rush on last-minute bookings. And 7 out of 10 fear a decline in secondary and third annual holidays.

Interviewed about measures against the crisis, 31 per cent of the companies already restructured themselves, whereas 18 per cent cut wages. About one half said they adjusted the product to the current demand or at least plan to do so. 32 per cent lowered the prices, an added 17 per cent are about to follow. One quarter of the exhibitors cut pr and adverts.

The last block of questions considered the assumed effects tourism has on global warming.

Despite 52 per cent of the exhibitors stated they believe themselves well-informed about the environmental changes, a remarkable 27 per cent have not yet wasted one thought on that.

One fifth even declared that global warming is not accelerated by tourism.