The ITB Berlin Convention – the biggest annual trade show in the world of hospitality – will take place this year from 9th to 13th March. The only event of its kind, the convention is widely regarded as one of the industry’s primary think tanks. With 400 influential speakers and 23,000 participants expected, the trade show provides hoteliers from around the world with the opportunity to share and discuss innovative business models, latest travelling patterns, new industry trends and so on.
The convention will cover all travel related topics from Training & Employment, to Cultural & Adventure Tourism. Discussions will range from the impact of the growing refugee situation on travel, to the latest in technological advancements in the industry – there is no better place for hospitality professionals to gather and discover what the next 12 months has in store for Travel & Tourism.
Last year’s trade show shed light on the growing dominance of smartphones as the modern guest’s preferred booking device, comparing booking data over the previous three years. The rising prominence of travel in several new markets was also discussed as China was unveiled as a major up and coming source of bookings. The dipping cost of oil, lower interest rates and positive economic forecasts set high expectations for the industry in 2015 and the market lived up to the anticipation.
175,000 visitors attended the five-day program in Germany, with over 10,000 exhibitors from 186 countries turning up to offer their insights on how better solutions could positively impact global hospitality.
Overwhelming as it may sound, the ITB Berlin is nothing more than a massive knowledge sharing platform where professionals from every sector of the industry – from accommodation providers to software developers – will put aside their differences and get together for the greater good of global hospitality.
Hotelogix is delighted to be attending the convention and we would love to meet you there!