Over the past five days the industry has been able to form a picture of the changes, that will take place in global demand as a result of climate change.

At the same time the Berlin Exhibition Grounds were the background to an excellent level of business, providing the basis for commercial success in 2007." These were the entirely positive conclusions drawn by Dr. Christian Göke, COO of Messe Berlin.

Each year the ITB Berlin becomes an even more international event. Whereas in 2003 approximately one third of all trade visitors came to Berlin from abroad, this year they accounted for 43 per cent of the total, a further two per cent rise over the previous year.

However, the world's largest travel trade show did not only set new records for the number of exhibitors: 10,923 companies from 184 countries presented the latest products and services from the travel industry (previous year: 10,856 companies from 183 countries). The number of trade visitors broke the 100,000 barrier for the first time. Between Wednesday and Friday 108,735 trade visitors were recorded, a 15 per cent rise. (2006: 94,553 trade visitors).

The ITB Convention Market Trends & Innovations proved to be a major attraction, with participation up by a quarter and a total of more than 9,000 trade visitors. On Saturday 68,419 members of the general public came in search of ideas for their next vacation, compared with the 68,270 who attended on the Friday afternoon and the weekend at last year's ITB Berlin. Over the five days of this trade show the halls on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds were visited by a total of 177,154 visitors.

BTW and DRV: Summit meeting for the trade sector

Klaus Laepple, President of the National Association of the German Tourism Industry (BTW) and President of the German Tour Operators‘ and Travel Agents' Association (DRV) summed up as follows: "As the world's top event for the travel industry the ITB was a massive success. As the figures clearly reveal, there were substantially more trade visitors compared with last year. The ITB can justifiably carry the designation International, because the proportion of foreign visitors rose again this year. Exhibitors were positive in their assessments of this event too. They are thoroughly satisfied, reporting on many new customers and plenty of contracts.

The ITB provides the general public with a unique opportunity to learn about the attractions and advantages of the most varied range of countries and regions in a concentrated form, all at one location, and to obtain suggestions about their next holidays. The partner country, India, made the best possible use of the ITB in order to gain the maximum publicity and to highlight its potential as a destination for vacationers and business travellers alike. Encouraged by such positive signs the travel industry is expecting a successful year for tourism. Tour operators and travel agencies are confident that last year's positive trend will be continued and that the travel sector will finish the year with further increases."

Positive response by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

Francesco Frangialli, Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) emphasised the particular importance of the ITB Berlin for the development of climate protection strategies:

"ITB 2007 was a landmark event at which the industry began to support our call for a proactive global strategy to respond constructively to the new demands of climate change without compromising on the basic challenge of using tourism as a tool to fight poverty. And we at UNWTO will respond in turn to the need and report back on progress at every ITB going forward. We are confident that by 2015 – the target date of the Millennium Development Goals – we will be able to show real progress on both fronts."

Spotlight on the partner country, India

India already occupies a strong position within global tourism as a destination for business travellers and tourists. Due to its political stability, a strong economy and an increasingly favourable climate for business and investment there are excellent prospects for an increase in tourism. During the ITB Berlin the subcontinent highlighted a wide range of offers and numerous promotional campaigns.

On the evening prior to the start of the trade show India organised a spectacular opening ceremony featuring the country's many diverse aspects. Giriraj Singh Kushwaha, European Director, India Tourism: "We are very happy with everything. Our exhibitors are reporting very good business, better than at last year's event. Tour operators are displaying an enormous amount of interest. Our appearance as partner country at the ITB Berlin was a thoroughgoing success. I can state this on behalf of my Minister of Tourism and Culture, Ambika Soni, too. We were also very satisfied with the organisational arrangements made by Messe Berlin. A great deal of media interest has been generated. In Germany too India is "in". During the weekend the ITB is much busier and louder than during the trade visitors' days. We want and need the general public, our tourists. We are now expecting a record number of visitors to India in 2007."

ITB Berlin as a meeting place for the media and politics

The ITB Berlin is an international media event. In addition to international news agencies it was also attended by some 8,000 journalists from 91 countries (previous year: 85 countries).

In accordance with the new arrangement the next ITB Berlin 2008 will take place from Wednesday to Sunday, 5 to 9 March 2008. From Wednesday until Friday admission will again be restricted to trade visitors only.