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Press Release
ITB Berlin 2025 – Day 1: The world of travel meets in Berlin
ITB Berlin 2025 is officially open!
Albania, the official Host Country of ITB Berlin 2025, thrilled the audience with a spectacular show at yesterday's Opening Ceremony. Prime Minister Edi Rama spoke on behalf of Albania. Other speakers included Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin, Dieter Janecek, Federal Government Coordinator for the Maritime Industry and Tourism, Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism) and Dr Mario Tobias, CEO of Messe Berlin.
ITB Berlin Morning Briefing with Deborah Rothe
Deborah Rothe, Director of ITB Berlin, gives an exclusive preview of ITB Berlin 2025 and talks about groundbreaking innovations, exciting new products and the highlights of Host Country Albania. She also reveals her personal highlights of her third ITB Berlin as Director. Listen now
NEWS & INSIGHTS
Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO, Messe Berlin
At today's opening press conference on the eve of ITB Berlin, Dr Mario Tobias, CEO of Messe Berlin, welcomed guests to the historic Marshall House with an exciting outlook for the next three days. In addition to interesting innovations, he presented key figures, highlights of the ITB Berlin Convention and an outlook for the coming year with exciting news about ITB's activities beyond the German capital. Read more
Edi Rama, Prime Minister, Albania
Albania's tourism industry is booming – and the figures speak for themselves. At the opening press conference of ITB Berlin 2025, Prime Minister, His Excellency Edi Rama, impressively explained why the country was chosen as the official host country of the World's Largest Travel Trade Show this year. Albania is one of the world's most rapidly growing travel destinations and currently has the fastest expanding airport in Europe. German visitors in particular are increasingly discovering Albania for themselves. Only a few years ago, there were barely a few ten thousand, but by 2023, 374,000 Germans had already visited the country. Rama said: “When the Germans come, we know that provides a strong basis for further tourism to develop.“ Read more
Mitra Sorrells, SVP Content, Phocuswright
Despite a gloomy consumer outlook the global travel market continues to grow, although not at the same rates as before. That was the message of Mitra Sorrells, Senior Vice President Content of the US market research institute Phocuswright, in her keynote speech on Monday at the opening press conference of ITB Berlin 2025. By contrast, there was a greater willingness to invest in travel startups in 2024, albeit at a lower level than in previous years, she said. With digitalisation increasing in all areas of life, AI is proving to be an important tool for the travel industry and consumers. However it still needs to adapt. Read more
Norbert Fiebig, President, DRV
Norbert Fiebig, President of the German Travel Association (DRV), spoke today at the opening press conference of ITB Berlin about current developments in the German travel market. Despite economic and geopolitical uncertainties, travelling remained one of the top priorities for Germans. They were not prepared to cut back on their holidays – this was positive news for the industry, said Fiebig. In challenging times, travelling offered a valuable opportunity to escape everyday life and gain new impressions. Read more
NEW: ITB Travel & Tourism Report 2025/2026
In time for the start of ITB Berlin 2025, the trade show is publishing its first ITB Travel & Tourism Report 2025/2026. The 32-page report provides important background information on current developments in the international tourism industry, analyses deficits and challenges, identifies relevant players and strategies, and presents practical recommendations for action. Read more
Further up-to-date articles about the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show can be found in the ITB Show Daily and at ITB News & Insights.
PRESS EVENTS TUESDAY, 4 MARCH 2025
From 4 to 6 March, media professionals and content creators can look forward to numerous press events organised by destinations, companies and organisations in the Presentation Hub in Hall 5.3, in hub27, in the CityCube Berlin or directly at the exhibitors' stands. To the event overview of ITB Berlin
Official Opening Tour of ITB Berlin
Including a opening ceremony on the stand of Albania, Host Country of ITB Berlin
9.30 a.m., Hall 3.1 | 105
Attendees:
- Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania
- Mirela Kumbaro Furxhi, Minister of Tourism and Environment of Albania
- Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin
- Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General, UN Tourism
- Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO, Messe Berlin
Press conference – Austria at ITB Berlin 2025
10.00 - 10.45 a.m., hub27 | 106
Opening ceremony of the Thailand Hall (26B)
Organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand
10.00 a.m. - 12 noon, Hall 26 | 206
LGBTQ+ Media Brunch
Open to accredited media and bloggers. To register click here: media-brunch-registration
10.00 - 11.30 a.m., LGBTQ+ Tourism Stage (Hall 4.1 | Tourism Stage)
Meet the Media, Condor – BER
12.30 - 1.30 p.m., hub27 | Beta 2
PR Talk - Israeli Ministry of Tourism
1.30 - 2.30 p.m., Hall 21 | 206
Exploring Albania through Active Tourism
2.30 – 3.00 p.m., Hall 3.1 | 105
Speaker: Ilva Gjuzi, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Environment of Albania, and Dr. Sonja Kurz, Country Director, GIZ Albania
Twin Cities World Tourism Forum
Organised by ITC Baraner
2.30 - 5.00 p.m., Großer Stern | Istanbul
Green Destinations Story Awards 2025 at ITB Berlin
6.00 - 7.30 p.m. | Hall 7.1b | 100
LATEST PRESS PHOTOS OF ITB BERLIN 2025
For more impressions of ITB Berlin 2025 please click on the link below:
The ITB Berlin press team will be happy to assist you with interview requests. For interviews with exhibitors, please contact them via ITB Match & Meet.
All texts are free for editorial use. Photos and videos can be used free of charge for reporting purposes (not for advertising purposes), on condition that 'Messe Berlin' is quoted.
Online accreditation for press representatives and bloggers/creators
You can obtain accreditation here. Please observe the accreditation guidelines. During ITB Berlin it will not be possible to obtain accreditation at the press counters on the grounds. After your application has been processed and approved you will receive an email with a PDF containing your accreditation and a press badge along with a personal QR code for admission. Please display this QR code at the entrance to the event. Your ticket is non-transferable.