• Berlin presents cultural and ecological offers for the first time at Messe Berlin’s multi-purpose venue “Hub27”
  • Berlin’s booth will have designs by local street artist “El Bocho”
  • VisitBerlin is part of the convention programme and host for the medical tourism network

The capital region is back at the International Travel Trade Show in Berlin, the ITB Berlin, where it will be touting for international travel operators. Berlin, Brandenburg and Berlin Brandenburg Airport will be presenting their own tourism-related topics and highlights for the first time in Messe Berlin’s Hub27 at the world’s leading travel trade show. At the Berlin-Brandenburg booth from 7 to 9 March, trade visitors of the ITB will experience Germany’s most exciting city and the surrounding area – a holiday region that unites nature, culture, and urban living like no other.

Burkhard Kieker, VisitBerlin CEO: “The ITB is the most important marketplace in the travel industry for VisitBerlin. ‘Visit the World of Berlin!’ is the German capital’s slogan. It’s essential for Berlin’s trade show industry that the ITB can be held live once more after a three-year hiatus due to the coronavirus.”

Berlin’s booth with design by street artist “El Bocho”

Over 30 partners working with tourism in Berlin will be presented across about 300 square metres, and with some typical Berlin flair: photos of the city, and a work by the most renowned local street artist, “El Bocho”. His character “Tina Berlina” has been displayed in every corner of the city for almost ten years now. She’s recognisable for the large B on her necklace (“B” for Berlin) and the “Hey tourist …” speech bubbles that she uses to provide visitors with helpful tips.

Medical tourism: VisitBerlin hosts the “German Network – Health Tourism Destinations”

Initiated by the Medical Tourism Research Team at the Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, and led by Mariam Asefi, a kick-off event will be held at the VisitBerlin booth on 9 March to help German medical and health tourism destinations network together. This non-public event will lay the foundation for closer cooperation among German destinations that are actively involved in medical tourism, or who wish to be. Participants include the destination marketing organisations in Cologne, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Brandenburg, and Berlin, among others. More information about the capital’s “Berlin Health Excellence” initiative with medical treatment opportunities, tourism in the German capital, and other services for international patients can be found here.

A sustainable showing at the trade show

In 2022, Berlin once again ranked fifth among major global cities in the Global Destination Sustainability Index. VisitBerlin is doing everything to ensure that Berlin’s visitor economy is prepared for the future, while also making a small contribution at the trade shows it attends: At the ITB, VisitBerlin and TMB Tourismus-Marketing, Brandenburg GmbH will be following the Sustainable Event Guidelines and implementing targeted measures, such as partnering with a certified sustainable caterer, using a scanning app to curb the number of business cards, and using rented furniture (key phrase: circular economy).

Schedule overview
  • 7 March, 9:40  Mayor of Berlin Franziska Giffey at the Berlin booth for the official opening tour (Hub27)
  • 9 March, 10.00–12.00  Booth visit by Stephan Schwarz, Senator for Economy, Energy and Enterprise of Berlin, and Michael Biel, State Secretary for Economics (Hub27)
  • The world’s largest tourism trade show will focus on B2B networking in the tourism industry. VisitBerlin will be represented by speakers at the ITB Congress and panel discussions.
  • 8 March, 11:30  Ralf Ostendorf (Director Market Management, VisitBerlin) on 10 years of pink pillow Berlin Collection (Hall 4.1 LGBTQ+ Tourism Pavilion Stage)
  • 9 March, 9:00  “German Network – Health Tourism Destinations”, hosted by VisitBerlin (Hub27).
  • 9 March, 11:00  Marco Oelschlegel (CMP & Director Conventions, VisitBerlin): “Adapt to Thrive: The Latest Trends and Branding Strategies in the MICE Market.” (Hall 3.1 Green Stage)
  • 9 March, 12:50  Ralf Ostendorf (Director Market Management, VisitBerlin): Outlook of Chinese Tourism Market 2023 (Hall 7.1b Blue Stage)
  • 9 March, 16:40  Frank Heise (Deputy Head of Digital & IT, VisitBerlin): Is your destination data-driven? Explore A.I. and data’s role in Destination Management and in defining the ideal traveller (Hall 6.1 eTravel Stage)

Berlin is the most popular city destination in Germany, a major draw for international visitors, and a leading competitor at the global level. Find out more in the latest report on the city’s tourism.

Learn more about visiting Berlin in a sustainable manner.