Future meets past: ITB Berlin celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2026 with own campaign

Launched in 1966, ITB took place on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds with five countries in attendance. Since then, it has become the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show. With ITB Asia, ITB China, ITB India as well as ITB Americas from 2026 on, it organises four regional trade fairs worldwide. At ITB Berlin 2026, a campaign titled ‘Every moment tells a story’, that marks its 60th anniversary, will highlight moments from the past and take a look at the future.

Egypt, Brazil, the Federal Republic of Germany, Guinea and Iraq were the first countries to exhibit at the ‘Internationale Tourismusboerse’ – ITB for short – in Berlin in 1966. In 2019, around 10,000 exhibitors from 181 countries and territories presented their products and services. Throughout its almost 60-year history, ITB Berlin has developed into an internationally recognised industry marketplace for travel products and services. The convention programme makes it an important meeting place for the industry.

Important milestones

ITB Berlin has established many different formats and focal points over the years. Environmental and human rights issues have played an important role since the early 1990s. In 2000, travel technology and the mobile internet were given their own exhibition area. The first ITB Berlin Convention was held in 2004 as the largest industry event of its kind. Ten years later, it received an even more spacious venue with the opening of the CityCube. Since 2011, the industry has discussed the latest social media trends and more at the eTravel World, while the LGBTQ+ travel area has been setting an example for openness and equality since 2010.

Time travel in pictures

With the campaign ‘Every moment tells a story’, ITB Berlin will whet appetites for its 60th anniversary, which will take place from 3 to 5 March 2026 on the exhibition grounds under the radio tower. With nostalgic polaroids accompanied by atmospheric music, it will highlight special moments and connect the past, present and future of travel. It underlines ITB's expertise as a storyteller and as a partner that brings the industry together.