10 March 2016 12:00 am
ITB Berlin, the international travel trade show, is the largest travel industry event which happens annually in Berlin, Germany.
In 2016, ITB Berlin celebrates its golden jubilee,attracting a large number of tourism professionals and visitors from 185 countries around the globe. With an estimated turnover of 6.7 billion euros, the fair creates a unique opportunity to develop strong business contacts in the travel and tourism industry.
The grand opening ceremony of ITB Berlin took place on March 8 in the City Cube Berlin. The Head of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) addressed over 300 distinguished guests and VIPs attended the official opening ceremony of the event.
This year, 64 Sri Lankan companies including the key stakeholders of the tourism industry of Sri Lanka, are participating inthe ITB along with Sri Lanka Tourism to promote key tourist attractions of the island, including Ayurveda and tea.
The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) has arranged a press conference today, the second day of the event, and over 60 international journalists are expected to attend the press briefing.
Germany is the second biggest tourism market for Sri Lanka from Europe accounting for 115,868 tourist arrivals in 2015, which is a 12.5 percent increase year-on-year.