Press Release

The countdown to ITB Berlin 2024, the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show, is about to begin. You are cordially invited to attend the opening press conference on 4 March at 10 a.m. It is taking place this year at a new venue – the CityCube Berlin, Room A5 – exclusively for media representatives and bloggers on the exhibition grounds in Berlin. Other interested parties can follow the livestream at ITBxplore and on the homepage of ITB Berlin (itb.com).

The opening press conference moderated by Katie Gallus provides an overview of the highlights at ITB Berlin 2024, which will be presented by Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO of Messe Berlin. H.E. Azzan bin Qassim Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of Tourism of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of Oman, will offer an insight into the Host Country Oman. Charuta Fadnis, senior vice president, Research and Product Strategy at Phocuswright, will highlight the growth taking place in the global travel industry despite economic challenges, how AI is changing the industry and how companies are embracing it. The focus remains on sustainability, while travellers’ needs must be taken into account in order to achieve sustainability goals. Under the heading “Challenging times – but the Germans´ passion for travel prevails”, Norbert Fiebig, president of the German Travel Association (DRV), will take a look at the latest travel trends and the economic prospects for the German travel industry in 2024. To whet appetites for this year’s host country, four musicians of the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra will present musical highlights before and after the opening press conference. Visitors can also look forward to a culinary treat with coffee and dates from Oman.

ITB Berlin 2024 - the media event of the global tourism industry

Press events Tuesday, 5 March 2024

Official opening tour of ITB Berlin and ribbon-cutting on the stand of the ITB Berlin Host Country Oman
Only media representatives accredited for ITB Berlin may attend.
Start: 9.30 a.m., meeting at Stand of Oman in Hall 2.2

Press conference – Austria at ITB Berlin
All the latest on Austria as a travel destination presented by State Secretary Mag. Susanne Kraus-Winkler and Astrid Steharning-Staudinger, managing director of Österreich Werbung
10.00 - 10.45 a.m., hub 27 | 106

alltours ITB Berlin press conference
09.30 - 10.00 a.m., hub27 | Beta 8

LGBTQ + Media Brunch
This networking event is open to all accredited media representatives and bloggers.
To register: LQBTQ+ Media Brunch
10.00 - 11.30 a.m., LGBTQ+ Tourism Pavilion (Hall 4.1 | 500)

Press conference – Holiday region Nationalpark Hohe Tauern & Großglockner Hochalpenstraße
11.00 a.m. - 12 noon, hub27 | Beta 2

Official opening of the LGBTQ+ Tourism Pavilion
Thomas Bömkes, LGBTQ+ Tourism Advisor ITB Berlin | Diversity Tourism GmbH, Munich and Ramona Zaun, product manager, ITB Berlin, will conduct the event
11.30 - 11.45 a.m., Hall 4.1 - LGBTQ+ Tourism Stage

Saudi Tourism Authority press conference
11.45 a.m. - 12.30 p.m., Hall 5.3 - Hybrid Stage

Italy Press Conference #WelcometoMeraviglia
Italy's Tourism Minister Daniela Garnero Santanchè, ENIT CEO Ivana Jelinic and the Italian Ambassador in Berlin Armando Varricchio present news about Italy as a travel destination in an interview with well-known TV presenter Alexander Mazza.
12:00 - 13:00, Hall 1.2 | 107

Medical & Health Media Lunch
This networking event is open to all accredited media representatives and bloggers interested in medical and health tourism.
To register: Medical & Health Media Lunch
12.30 - 2.00 p.m., Medical & Health Tourism Pavilion (Hall 3.1 | 111)

Maldives Media Meet
1.00 - 1.45 p.m., Hall 5.3 - Hybrid Stage

Press conference – Tourism Malaysia
2.00 - 3.00 p.m., CityCube Level 3 | M1

Press conference, Israel, Tourism Ministry
Guests: Minister of Tourism, Haim Katz State Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Danny Shahar Director for the European Market, Ella Zack Solomon Director of the Israel State Transport Authority, Ksenia Kobiakov Topics: Current tourism situation in Israel Strategy and plans for the future News on tourism infrastructure
14:00 - 15:00, Hall 21 | 211

Press conference – Heidi Horten Collection
2.00 - 3.00 p.m., hub27 | Beta 1

Vietnam Tourism press conference
2.00 - 3.00 p.m., CityCube A | A2

Press conference "Cycling paradise Emilia-Romagna"
Emilia Romagna not only offers long sandy beaches, enchanting art cities and an outstanding culinary tradition, it is also an ideal destination for cyclists. Whether along the coast or in the scenic hinterland, there are numerous routes to discover. Stefano Bonaccini, President of the Emilia Romagna Region, and Andrea Corsini, Regional Minister for Tourism, will present the highlights of the coming season.
2.00 - 2:30 p.m., Hall 1.2 | 107

ITB premiere: Mecklenburg-Vorpommern press conference as a poetry slam
Speakers: Reinhard Meyer, Minister for Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Tourism and Labour Mecklenburg-Vorpommern; Birgit Hesse, President of the State Parliament and the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Tourism Association; Tilman Beyrich, Pastor of the Protestant parish of St Nikolai, Greifswald; Moderation: Lars Ruppel, slam poet
2.15 - 3.00 p.m., Hall 5.3 - Hybrid Stage

Incredible India press conference
2.30 - 3.30 p.m., CityCube Level 3 | M2

Egypt press conference
3.00 - 4.00 p.m., CityCube Level 3 | M4

Media event – South African Tourism
3.00 – 3.40 p.m., Großer Stern Level 4 | VIP-2

Press conference Molise
Molise: Authentic emotions in a region that wants to be discovered The small region on the lower Adriatic coast is still one of the insider tips of the Apennine Peninsula: unspoilt natural landscapes, charming towns such as Termoli, long sandy beaches, unspoilt coasts and lively traditions make the region a varied holiday destination, which will be presented to you by the Provincial Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Salvatore Micone, together with the Director of the Tourism Department, Angela Aufiero.
3.00 – 3.30 p.m., Hall 1.2 | 107

MATTA Malaysia cocktail reception
Informal get-together with the media and organisers
3.30 - 6.00 p.m., Hall 26 | 104

Presentation – “Montenegro - Wild Beauty“
Stunningly beautiful Montenegro is represented again at ITB Berlin 2024 and invites media representatives, partners and visitors to a presentation on the official stand of the National Tourism Organisation of Montenegro.
4.00 - 6.00 p.m., Hall 1.2 | 223

Press conference Basilicata with tasting
A rich cultural heritage, diverse natural parks and stretches of coastline on the Tyrrhenian and Ionian seas characterise what Basilicata has to offer: find out news and tips for a holiday in this small region in the sunny south of Italy from representatives of the APT Basilicata tourist office. Afterwards, Basilicata invites you to a happy hour with typical regional specialities.
4:00 - 4:30 p.m., Hall 1.2 | 107

Medical & Health Tourism reception
5.30 - 7.30 p.m., Hall 3.1 - Medical & Health Tourism Stage

Presentation of the ITB BookAwards 2024
For 22 years the awards have honoured a wide range of important travel and tourism publications. Official welcome by David Ruetz, Senior Vice President, Travel & Logistics at Messe Berlin. Mary Amiri will host the ceremony together with Julia Sonnemann, PR Manager, ITB Berlin. The winners of the ITB BookAwards 2024. To register email: info@buero-philipp.de
6.00 - 8.00 p.m., Hall 3.1 - Green Stage

Press events Wednesday, 6 March 2024

USA press breakfast
9.00 - 11.00 a.m., CityCube A | A7

Eifel press conferences
10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m., hub27 | Gamma

Press conference Tuscany
Dreamy landscapes, world-famous art cities, relaxed beach life or wellness in a renowned spa: the flair of Tuscany has been captivating visitors for centuries. The regional tourism agency presents new projects, e.g. in the field of sustainable tourism, and provides ideas for (re)discovering the region off the beaten track.
10.30 – 11.00 a.m., Hall 1.2 | 107

DER Touristik Press Conference
10:30 - 11:30 Uhr, hub27 | Gamma 8

Presentation of the ADFC Cycle Tour Report 2024
The ADFC Cycle Tour Report examines the many aspects of holiday and leisure cycling. The nationwide survey reports on Germany’s cycle use on tours and trips in 2023. Speaker: Konstanze Meyer, tourism officer | ADFC e.V.
11.00 a.m. - 12 noon, Hall 5.3 - Hybrid Stage

Press conference Liguria
Liguria enchants with a picturesque coastline dotted with pretty villages, with a mountainous hinterland that is perfect for numerous outdoor activities and with the harbour city of Genoa, which has one of the largest old towns in Europe. Not forgetting the Cinque Terre, five picturesque villages on the cliffs of the "Levante". Find out from the Provincial Minister for Tourism, Augusto Sartori, which travel highlights are in the spotlight this year.
11.30 – 12.00 a.m., Hall 1.2 | 107

Albania - ITB Berlin Host Country 2025 - Official signing ceremony and photo opportunity
12.00 – 12.30 p.m., Albanian Ministry of Tourism and Environment, Hall 1.1/ 214

VIR tour for journalists – travel tech behind the scenes
Companies participating: TraSo, Bewotec, Chain4Travel, Peakwork,
Sabre and GIATA. To register email: marion@krimmer-consulting.de
12.00 - 2.30 p.m., VIR stand, Hall 5.1/ Stand 100 (at GIATA)

Press brunch – travel destination Saxony-Anhalt
1.00 - 2.00 p.m., hub27 | Beta 1

Social enterprises driving a positive impact in tourism
Moderator: Prof. Dr. Claudia Brözel, professor, founder of the Social Entrepreneurship in Tourism Competition | University for Sustainable Development Eberswalde,
Speaker: Dr. Neal Bermas, founder and chairman, STREETS International,
Dr. Neal Bermas, professor of the Practice | Brandeis University, USA
1.00 - 1.45 p.m., Hall 5.3 - Hybrid Stage

PATWA WORLD TOURISM & AVIATION LEADERS MEET AND PATWA INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AWARDS
2.00 - 4.30 p.m., CityCube A | A4

Joint press conference of Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia
2.30 - 4.00 p.m., hub27 | Gamma 8

IIPT's 7th Celebrating Her awards for Empowered Women in Tourism
3.30 - 4.15 p.m., Hall 5.3 - Hybrid Stage

Cocktail reception – Starway Award ceremony
3.30 - 4.00 p.m., CityCube A | A3

Starway Award ceremony
4.00 - 5.50 p.m., CityCube A | A8

Gender Equality Champion of the Year Award 2024 (sponsored by ITB Berlin and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance)
4.45 - 5.30 p.m., Hall 5.3 - Hybrid Stage

Green Destinations Sustainable Top 100 Destinations Awards
6.00 p.m., Hall 7.1/ Blue Stage

To Do Awards
Organiser: Studienkreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung
6.00 - 7.00 p.m., Hall 6.1 - eTravel Stage

Press events Thursday, 7 March 2024

Scandlines – press conference 2024
10.00 a.m. - 1.30 p.m., CityCube, M8

Switch Asia – Moving the Asian travel market towards sustainability
11.15 a.m. - 3 p.m., M4 CityCube

Best travel journalism of the year – presentation of the VDRJ Columbus Awards for Journalism 2024
Organiser: Vereinigung Deutscher Reisejournalisten (VDRJ) e.V.
4.30 - 6 p.m., Hall 5.3, Hybrid Stage

Online accreditation for press representatives and bloggers
You can register here to obtain online accreditation. After your application has been processed and approved you will receive an email with a PDF containing your accreditation and 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.

About ITB Berlin and the ITB Berlin Convention
ITB Berlin 2024 will take place from Tuesday, 5 to Thursday, 7 March. Since 1966, ITB Berlin has been the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show. As in previous years, the internationally acclaimed ITB Berlin Convention will take place parallel with the show as a live event on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. Under the heading „Pioneer the Transition in Travel & Tourism. Together.“, leading speakers from business, science and politics will discuss the industry’s current and future challenges on 4 stages with a total of 17 themed tracks and more than 24,000 attendees.

Additional information is available at www.itb.com and from the ITB Newsroom & Social Media.