ITB Berlin News 2021 - Day 3 Edition

DAY 3 

THURSDAY 11 TH MARCH 2021 

ITB BERLIN NOW 2021 

TARGETING 

100-MILLION 

WTTC @ ITB BERLIN NOW 

UNDERLINES CAMPAIGN TO GET 

100 MILLION TRAVEL INDUSTRY 

WORKERS BACK ON THE JOB 

NEWS 

THE ITB BERLIN 

NOW CAFÉS #08 

REGION 

#12 

#10 

EXCLUSIVE 

INTERVIEW 

GLORIA GUEVARA 

President & CEO, 

WTTC 

AFRICA 

& MIDDLE EAST 

SPECIAL FEATURE 

CYCLING 

TOURISM 

#20 

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to Wondрful Indonesia 

Lake Toba, North Sumatra

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I NEWS I 

EDITORIAL 

Richard Barnes 

Editor-in-Chief, 

ITB Berlin News 

ITB takes you to… Mars? 

Today, we are well into the ITB Berlin NOW 

adventure. We choose the word “adventure” 

carefully, as here, we are referring to a leap 

into the unknown – a journey into uncharted 

territory. It seems fitting that while we are 

sitting around virtual tables drinking virtual 

coffee in cyberspace as a direct response 

to our current human condition, we are also 

marvelling at the landing of a huge new 

rover on Mars, tens of millions of kilometres 

away. Yet again, humankind ventures into 

new, undiscovered territory. 

Don’t be fooled. Spaceship ITB was not 

thrown together in a Silicon Valley garage. 

It is the fruit of a huge amount of work, 

thought and expertise over the past year, by 

a team of highly dedicated people. And just 

like a spaceship, it was rather important to 

ensure that “failure was not an option”. With 

tens of thousands of people all flocking 

to the same server at the same time this 

week, countless video streams and faceto-face 

meetings, it just couldn’t fail. Thus, 

amongst other things, an ultra-heavy-duty 

AWS Amazon Server has been ensuring 

that people from the farthest corners of 

the earth could take part without any 

issues. And it was essential that this new 

platform be as “user friendly” as possible. 

The organisers have conceived an intuitive 

user interface for the activities, functions 

and key elements that one is used to at 

in-person events, in the knowledge it 

cannot be an adequate replacement. They 

therefore made a conscious decision not 

to use 3-D animation, avatars or digital 

trade fair stands. The platform is a new and 

independent design. 

One could say that as a purely digital event, 

the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show has 

already received exceptional feedback, 

thanks to the extension of the reach and 

interaction with those who were unable to 

travel to Berlin. 

At ITB Berlin NOW, the focus is clear. Its 

key elements are business, networking, 

content and news. And it does that all 

exceptionally well. 

ITB BERLIN NEWS is a CLEVERDIS Publication. 

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CONTENTS 

#04 DAILY BRIEFING 

#05 NEWS 

#09 TRADE TALK 

#10 EXCLUSIVE 

INTERVIEW 

#12 REGIONAL SPOTLIGHT 

AFRICA 

& MIDDLE EAST 

#16 GERMAN REGIONS 

MECKLENBURG- 

VORPOMMERN 

SPECIAL FEATURES 

#17 SMART TOURISM 

#17 FAMILY DESTINATIONS 

& RESORTS 

#20 CYCLING TOURISM 

ITB BERLIN NEWS • THURSDAY 11 TH MARCH 2021 3

I NEWS I 

Daily 

Briefing 

By David Ruetz, 

Head of ITB Berlin NOW 

Hello, and welcome back to ITB 

Berlin NOW. Today, I think the “key” 

word is probably “resilience”. 

Indeed, the feedback we’re getting from all 

those taking part in this year’s event is that 

despite the heavy knock-out punch that has 

been received by the global travel industry, 

hope springs eternal and all are confident 

there will be a strong comeback over the 

next two years. To this end, today’s keynote 

interview at 10:15am with the Honourable 

Edmund Bartlett – Minister 

of Tourism of Jamaica, by 

CNN’s Richard Quest, 

will be very timely. Titled 

“Resilience and Recovery 

of Tourism Destinations”, 

its content will be of vital 

interest to each and every 

person attending the show. 

Following this, at 11:20, the 

ITB Resilience Roundtable 

(with Jacobs Media and 

the Resilience Council) 

will see thought leaders 

from the public and 

private sector discussing 

policies that have been or 

will be launched… and their impact. With 

Government Ministers from Kenya and 

Bosnia-Herzegovina, along with the CEO 

of Global Rescue and WTTC President & 

CEO Gloria Guevara all taking part, this will 

be a not-to-miss session. 

TODAY’S KEYNOTE 

INTERVIEW AT 

10:15AM WITH THE 

HONOURABLE 

EDMUND 

BARTLETT – 

MINISTER OF 

TOURISM OF 

JAMAICA, BY CNN’S 

RICHARD QUEST, 

WILL BE VERY 

TIMELY. 

This morning at 10:35am, Charuta Fadnis, 

Senior Vice President, Research and 

Product Strategy for Phocuswright, will 

share the organisation’s projections for key 

markets through 2024 and delve into the 

trends and technology that will influence 

post-pandemic travel in “Looking ahead: 

travel market projections and technology 

trends”. 

In the afternoon – at 5pm, European Capitals 

of Smart Tourism - The Road to Recovery 

will see representatives 

of the 2020 European 

Capitals of Smart Tourism - 

Gothenburg (Sweden) and 

Málaga (Spain) presenting 

how they address the 

current challenges in the 

tourism sector, how they 

see the road to recovery 

and how they became 

European Capitals of 

Smart Tourism. 

LGBT+ tourism is very 

much under the spotlight, 

with a high point being 

the LGBT+ Leadership 

Summit at 5:15pm. 

And for DMOs, the ever-changing travel 

landscape, and how to keep up with the 

new traveller will be the key topics of the 

DMO Masterclass by Google at 6pm. 

So just where is the industry headed? Pentup 

demand will drive a recovery in travel 

and tourism over the next few years. But, 

the shape of the recovery will vary across 

countries and regions, and by segment. 

Don’t forget to drop by the ITB Berlin NOW 

cafés for a chat afterwards. I look forward to 

seeing you there! 

4 ITB BERLIN NEWS • THURSDAY 11 TH MARCH 2021 

www.itb-berlin-news.com

ADVERTORIAL 

I NEWS I 

Lata Berkoh, Taman Negara, Pahang 

Getting back 

to real nature 

Malaysia's national parks offer unparalleled 

experiences for families or adventure lovers 

Malaysia's nature is one of its key draw-cards, with pristine 

jungle and wildlife unlike anywhere else on the planet. Its 

dozens of national parks are just breath-taking. Here is just 

a selection... 

TAMAN NEGARA, 

PAHANG 

Among the oldest rainforests in 

the world – 130 million years old 

– covering around 4,343 square 

kilometres and located in the 

Malaysian state of Pahang, the 

name Taman Negara has become 

known to nature lovers around the 

globe ever since it was established 

in 1938. This humongous park 

hosts around 150 mammal species 

as well as almost 500 species of 

birds. 

Filled with magnificent wonders 

throughout, it exhibits a wide 

range of places to explore... from 

refreshing waterfalls, tortuous 

rivers with rushing rapids, to 

40-metre canopies, plush valleys 

and a majestic mountain range 

with the vivid landscape of Mount 

Tahan. Visitors experience a 

breathtaking view even before 

scaling the 2,187m mountain 

itself... Just some of the awesome 

activities available in Taman 

Negara. 

KINABALU PARK, 

SABAH 

As the habitat of more than 4,500 

species of flora and fauna, Kinabalu 

Park is a pristine land, and an 

extraordinary wildlife experience 

for all nature enthusiasts. 

Established as Malaysia’s first 

World Heritage Site by UNESCO, 

the park offers visitors a premium 

experience, interacting with the 

endemic and unique creatures 

of Sabah. The park surrounds 

the well-known Mount Kinabalu 

and covers nearly 754 square 

kilometres. 

The park consists of numerous 

activities for nature lovers and is 

also the "Centre of Plant Diversity 

for Southeast Asia". The dense 

rainforest is also the home for 

the world’s largest pitcher plant, 

Nepenthes Rajah. Although the 

biggest attraction in this area will 

surely be the towering Mount 

Kinabalu, there are still numerous 

other nature-based activities to 

enjoy. Eight different trails await 

jungle-trekking fans, with all trails 

providing a unique portrayal of the 

green landscape around the park. 

BAKO NATIONAL 

PARK, SARAWAK 

Bako National Park is the oldest 

and one of the most frequented 

attractions in Sarawak, depicting 

the unrivalled biodiversity of the 

magnificent Borneo Rainforest. 

Bako was officially made a national 

park in 1957 and, spanning only 27 

square kilometres, is one of the 

smallest national parks in Malaysia. 

Albeit small in size, the park 

houses diverse flora and fauna 

species, including approximately 

600 flower species and 267 wildlife 

species which casually roam the 

park’s compound such as silver leaf 

monkeys, long-tailed macaques, 

slow loris, flying lemurs, mouse 

deer, wild boars, pangolins, and 

the pinnacle of the park; the rare 

wild proboscis monkeys. Bako 

National Park also takes pride in 

its white sandy beaches, providing 

a relaxing shift for a short rest 

throughout your journey in the 

jungle. 

ROYAL BELUM 

STATE PARK, 

PERAK 

Deep in the lush greenery of Gerik, 

Perak, lies 454 sq km of pristine 

jungle. A destination dedicated to 

all outdoor enthusiasts, a spot to 

escape from the hustle of life and 

get in touch with one's adventurous 

side: lo and behold – The Royal 

Belum State Park! 

Surrounded by the Royal Belum 

Rainforest, Lake Temenggor 

– Malaysia’s second-largest 

man-made lake – is a haven for 

passionate anglers, dotted with 

countless small islands to visit. 

By boat, one can venture into and 

explore all the nooks and crannies 

of this lake, among which are 

the Pulau Tujuh Waterfall, Pulau 

Talikali Lookout Tower, Temenggor 

Dam, Kampung Chuweh, the White 

Rocks and the Salt Licks 

VISIT 

BR AND CARD 

RAFFLESIA 

FLOWERS IN 

ROYAL BELUM 

STATE PARK, 

PERAK 

ONE OF THE 

MANY TRAILS IN 

BAKO NATIONAL 

PARK - A 

STONE'S THROW 

FROM KUCHING 

IN SARAWAK 

MOUNT 

KINABALU, 

SABAH 


I NEWS I 

© Mar Cerdeira / Unsplash 

Hot air ballooning in Turkey 

AIRLINE BOSSES 

PREDICT 

AIR TRAVEL 

COMEBACK 

Both the President of Emirates and CEO of Air 

France-KLM foresee a sharp bounce-back of 

passenger demand, most probably by the third 

quarter of the year or latest by early 2022. 

Turkey forecasts 

strong tourism 

rebound 

Turkey Tourism Promotion and Development Agency 

spokesperson, Erkan Yağcı, says his country is planning to 

“outperform the rest of the world” when it comes to a post-Covid 

tourism rebound. 

In an ITB Berlin NOW press 

conference, Mr Yağcı said Turkey 

has been one of the most disciplined 

and successful countries in the fight 

against the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“The Safe Tourism Certification 

Program launched in June was one of 

the first examples of its kind globally 

and came to be accepted rapidly 

by the tourism industry”, said Yağcı. 

“Tourists are able to have a healthy 

vacation in Turkey with peace of mind 

thanks to the effective measures 

we take under The Safe Tourism 

Certification Programme.” 

With 300 sunny days per year and a 

sun, sand and sea concept, a new ad 

campaign has been launched in over 

50 countries. 

Turkey’s Ministry of Culture and 

Tourism has set a goal for 2021 of at 

least 32 million visitors and almost 

€20bn in revenue. “We believe Turkey 

will outperform the rest of the world 

in tourism regrowth after the Covid 

crisis,” said Yağcı, adding: “Product 

diversity will be one of the main 

pillars of promotion of the next five 

years” 

VISIT 

BRAND CAR D 

They may fight each other 

for market share, but for 

once, they both agree. The 

President of Emirates, Sir 

Tim Clark and the CEO of 

Air France-KLM, Ben Smith, 

see passengers returning by 

year end or in early 2022. 

Although both believe that 

numbers seen prior to the 

Covid crisis would not be 

possible before 2023. 

"It hangs a lot on the 

global roll-out of vaccine 

programmes. Although some 

countries face difficulties in 

its implementation, I am quite 

bullish about the future," said 

Tim Clark from Emirates. 

The airline predicts that the 

pace of recovery will vary 

according to countries and 

market segments. Clark 

sees a stronger rebound 

of the leisure market than 

the corporate market. For 

Ben Smith, 2021 will be 

characterised by a number 

of uncertainties although 

they are a few positive hot 

spots: "Beyond 2021, a lot 

of demand from consumers 

willing to travel will need to 

be answered. 

For Smith, the first segment 

to return to the skies will be 

VFR travellers, followed by 

leisure and then corporate 

travellers. "The latter will 

need probably three to four 

years to be back to 2019 

levels," Smith stressed 

Screen shot of 

ITB Berlin NOW 

Press Conference 

Sir Tim Clark 

President Emirates Airlines 

Ben Smith 

CEO - Air France - KLM 



I NEWS I 

SABA Hospitality 

and Knowcross bring 

efficient contactless 

technology to 

Shangri-La Singapore 

A not-to-be-missed 

session for destination 

marketeers 

Iva Kutle Škrlec, Global Destination Marketing Partner, Google, will be 

speaking today at the session "DMO Masterclass by Google: The Ever- 

Changing Travel Landscape and Keeping up with the New Traveller”. We 

asked her how the needs of travellers are changing. 

Tourism is experiencing a fundamental 

shift: People don't know when and where 

they can travel and tourism businesses 

are dealing with huge uncertainty. People 

are searching online to understand the 

latest travel guidance, safety precautions 

and discover destinations with fewer 

crowds. Some traditionally popular travel 

categories have lost much of their appeal, 

while some others have risen to glory. 

More than ever, travellers are looking for 

clarity, reassurance and value. The tourism 

industry relies on historical data to predict 

future demand, but in the current highlyvolatile 

environment, this is no longer 

adequate. 

Google's tools and platforms provide 

valuable close to real-time insights on 

consumer behaviour and important trends 

helping the industry tailor their response 

based on the most recent and relevant 

Iva Kutle Škrlec 

Global Destination Marketing Partner, 

Google 

changes. We have always partnered with 

stakeholders in the industry, including 

DMOs and industry bodies, and now 

even more closely, on shaping their digital 

strategies and guiding them in how to 

use Google’s platforms to achieve their 

business and communication objectives. 

What should DMOs be doing to adapt? 

Agility and precision are key. The wellestablished 

planning and travel cycle has 

been heavily disrupted and there’s still a 

lot of instability, so DMOs need to drop 

their usual way of researching, planning 

and communicating. Data insights are 

key for travel businesses to adapt. For 

example, as people increasingly search 

for local and outdoor tourism, businesses 

can react to these changing needs by 

doing marketing campaigns that highlight 

nature destinations, and they can prepare 

for an uptick in last-minute booking 

SABA Hospitality Technology Solutions and 

Knowcross have integrated their technologies 

into hotel operations at the Shangri-La Hotel 

Singapore. 

The integration allows Shangri-La Singapore guests to 

make requests through the SABA Hospitality interactive 

guest services platform. Hotel service, amenity, 

maintenance, food and beverage no longer require 

intervention from house staff or the guest service centre. 

The connection with the relevant hotel department can 

even take place regardless of the guest’s presence on 

the property. 

“Hotels of all sizes receive large volumes of requests 

on a daily basis. Integrating SABA’s solution with the 

Knowcross dispatch system not only automates this 

process and significantly reduces the workload on 

frontline staff, but it allows the guest’s needs to be 

fulfilled in a timelier manner", says Alexander Wessels, 

SABA Hospitality’s Executive Director of Accounts & 

Partnerships 

“Offering contactless solutions that elevate the 

guest experience is vital in today’s environment. Our 

collaboration with Knowcross provides a humanised 

end-to-end virtual guest service solution at a time 

when reducing costs and finding greater efficiency is 

paramount," he adds. 

Tane Picken, General Manager at Shangri-La Singapore, 

will join the panel discussion “ITB Best Case: Contactless 

tools and their impact on reliance in a Post-Covid World” 

on Friday, March 12 at ITB Berlin NOW to share more 

insights 

VISIT 

BR AND CARD 

Today, 

Thursday, 

11 March 2021 

18:00 

ITB SESSION 

DMO Masterclass by Google: 

The Ever-Changing Travel Landscape 

and Keeping up with the New Traveller 

ITB Berlin NOW Convention Stage 1 


I NEWS I 

Latte or espresso? 

Talk around the ITB Berlin NOW cafés… 

Had the time to drop by for a coffee? ITB 

Berlin NOW’s cafés, while virtual, have 

the same role as that of your favourite 

corner haunt at the show – where you 

can discuss what you’ve seen during 

the conference sessions. 

This afternoon, don’t miss the ATTA networking 

event in the ITB Adventure Travel Café. 

At 3 pm in the ITB Responsible Tourism Café, 

there will be a Coffee Briefing on responsible 

tourism in the age of digitalisation – organised 

by Tourism Watch. 

Throughout the day, you can find “meet and 

greet” sessions at the LGBT+ Tourism Café 

& meeting corners, powered by the Italian 

National Tourist Board – ENIT. 

Today sees a special investors’ “happy hour” 

at the Travel Tech & Startup Café, powered by 

VIT e.V. 

And at the Career Café, there will be a special 

discussion this afternoon after the Career 

Convention. 

All other cafés are of course running 

throughout the day, centred around the ITB 

Berlin Convention Café – the hub for meetings 

after all conventions. 

THE BLOGGER CAFÉ 

– the community for 

communicators: The 

Blogger Café is THE placeto-be 

for every accredited 

travel blogger at ITB Berlin 

NOW. Different meeting corners can 

be used to connect with one’s peers, 

exchange experiences or ask for 

help with blog-related topics. There 

will be an inspiring and engaging 

live programme with, for and from 

bloggers. 

Don’t miss happy hour at the 

TRAVEL TECH 

& STARTUP CAFÉ 

Every day at 5pm, it’s happy hour, 

powered by VIR e.V. It’s a special time 

to get together! 

CAREER CAFÉ 

• a daily rendez-vous: At 5:30pm, 

it’s all about effective networking 

• with YoungTIC 

… Check-out other cafés based 

on youth travel, adventure travel, 

responsible tourism, LGBT+ 

tourism and media (two different 

cafés), and medical tourism. 

Content marketing for 

sustainable tourism 

recovery 

Despite the challenges, this global pandemic has yielded 

lessons that can provide a roadmap to a more resilient 

future. By employing best practices and exploring new 

strategies, content-driven, digital marketing can connect 

new audiences to a more sustainable world of travel. 

Yesterday, at the ITB Berlin NOW 

Convention, Rob Holmes, Founder, 

GLP Films, hosted “ITB Best Practice: 

Content Marketing for Sustainable 

Tourism Recovery”. In the session, 

he reviewed best practices to 

maximise digital storytelling, reach 

a target audience, and increase ROI 

as tourism rebuilds towards a more 

sustainable industry. 

In his presentation, Holmes covered 

the many ways in which content 

marketing can be optimised not only 

as part of a Covid recovery plan, but 

also for long-term sustainability. 

“As we prepare to emerge from the 

worldwide lockdown, I believe that 

story-driven content highlighting 

the resilient nature of sustainable 

tourism providers is a strong 

strategy”, says Holmes. “Every 

destination has their stories of 

survival: the kayaking companies 

who have kept the rivers clean; the 

chefs who fed their villages during 

lockdown; the walking guides who 

restored tracks and trails; and 

the conservationists who have 

protected their local wildlife.” 



I TRADE TALK I 

Out of Africa 

The founder of South Africa-based Pearls of Africa gives 

his tips and ideas for navigating ITB Berlin NOW 

Michael Frauen 

CEO of The Pearls of Africa 

German-born Michael Frauen is CEO of The Pearls of Africa 

– a South African based agency which he founded in 2007, 

having lived in South Africa since the mid-80’s. We asked 

him what he hopes to achieve at this year’s ITB Berlin NOW. 

Most important for me is to get an 

overview of who is participating 

in this year’s ITB Berlin NOW… 

Who has changed to the “digital 

mode” and how will the platform 

be able to present destinations, 

properties, and activities as close 

to the physical exhibition? What 

I wish to achieve is to exchange 

opinions within the industry 

and discover how the different 

destinations feel about their 

recovery plan for reactivating the 

travel industry. I most probably will 

spend more time on the congress 

then in previous years. 

Due to our current situation, I kept 

contact with partners via video 

meetings during the year, as one 

can no longer just exchange a 

“Hello” or “How are you doing” by 

stumbling into each other on the 

fairground. A digital exhibition is 

much more organised and time 

tacked than a physical exhibition. 

What are your thoughts about the 

way ITB has organised the event? 

I can only congratulate the 

organisers to the platform ITB 

Berlin NOW. From what I have 

seen so far, they have put in a lot 

of effort and investment. With this 

platform and the cost structure, 

a large number of smaller 

companies have the chance to 

participate in this world class 

exhibition. I am excited to see all 

the hard work paying off at this 

event. 

Do you feel communication 

by exhibiting companies and 

organisations is more important 

now? 

Yes, I believe so. It is important 

for buyers to have the newest 

and updated information at 

their fingertips. Only in that way 

can the itineraries and product 

portfolios be accurately and 

correctly communicated to the 

customers. As in these times, 

changes can happen so quickly, it 

is even more important to be able 

to communicate the information 

instantly. Again, digitalisation 

should be implemented even 

more swiftly. It will be of utmost 

importance to be in contact with 

your clients at any given time. It 

is good for your image and gives 

the client the security he is looking 

for while traveling to different 

destinations on the globe 

MICHAEL FRAUEN 

LESSONS TO BE LEARNED 

FROM THE PANDEMIC 

The most important lesson that should be learnt 

is that a catastrophe can hit at any given time. 

Therefore, the digitalisation process must be 

enforced further - being it at the check in / check 

out or in using robots for simple serving tasks. 

We must be aware that we cannot ignore the 

developments of technology; that tourism has 

been standing behind digitalisation for years and it 

shows that the communication channels like Zoom 

are playing a very important role. Travellers will 

inform themselves more and more on the internet. 

Travel agents will have to look into doing digital 

consulting and digital customer evenings, instead 

of having customers coming to their offices. 

Tour Operators and Travel Agents must do their 

marketing with more digital and innovative ideas 

to be competitive in their markets. However, 

personal service and face-to-face meetings will 

still play an important role. During a customer’s 

trip, he or she must always be able to contact their 

agent. For this purpose, communication apps like 

WhatsApp or Telegram will play an important role 


I EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW I 

Saving 

soldier travel 

WTTC leads the 

charge in fighting for 

the tourism sector 

Gloria Guevara 

President & CEO, WTTC 

WE SEE A LIGHT AT 

THE END OF THE 

TUNNEL AND WE 

BELIEVE THAT VERY 

SHORTLY WE WILL SEE A 

GREAT DEAL OF 

PROGRESS, BUT RIGHT 

NOW I FEEL LIKE WE’RE 

STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF 

THE STORM IN MANY 

COUNTRIES 

In times that are so challenging and complicated, full of uncertainty, the World 

Travel and Tourism Council has been toiling to seek a “light at the end of the 

tunnel”. We asked Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, what her current 

thoughts are on the situation. 

We are very optimistic. If you had asked me 

that question a few months ago, the answer 

might have been different. The reason is 

that last year was totally unprecedented. We 

estimate 174 million jobs have been impacted 

globally. When I say impacted, it’s a combination 

of people having been let go or dismissed or 

made redundant. We have tried to estimate how 

many jobs we can bring back this year, and 

that’s between 88 And 111 million, which is an 

average of 100, but we have been saying that 

some conditions need to be in place. 

As we see the aggressive rollout of vaccines 

in different parts of the world, we believe it is 

a great part of the solution, but it’s not the only 

solution. 

Once a country has vaccinated a large proportion 

of the senior population, mortality rates will 

drop, consequently reducing the pressure on 

hospitals. But it’s very important to continue not 

only to vaccinate, but also with the rest: wearing 

the masks, testing and so on… and all this will 

help us resume international mobility. 



I EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW I 

Right now, the question is, “How 

do we bring back mobility in a 

safe, secure, and responsible way 

so that that will allow us to restore 

the economy and bring back the 

millions of jobs that have been 

impacted?” So, yes, we see a light 

at the end of the tunnel and we 

believe that very shortly we will 

see a great deal of progress, but 

right now I feel like we’re still in 

the middle of the storm in many 

countries. 

So, what should governments be 

doing that they’re not doing well 

today? 

I think governments need to 

do two things. One is that they 

should figure out how to share 

more. Share knowledge, share 

basic experiences and share data. 

I understand that we didn’t have 

the right platforms for that before, 

and there was some lack of trust in 

some international organisations, 

but we need to get over that. The 

second thing is for them to get to 

the point where they understand 

that this is not going away. We 

need to coexist with this virus, 

and if they think we’re going to go 

back to 2019, that’s not the case. 

We need to look forward. How do 

we make this crisis an opportunity, 

and how do we resume travel 

mobility, bring back those jobs? 

In order for us to be able to do 

that, we need to have the right 

policies and the right protocols 

from governments. We need to 

have that understanding. Right 

now, there is still uncertainty, and 

part of that uncertainty has been 

created because of the lack of 

coordination. 

For instance, I wish an 

understanding or agreement 

could be found where it’s clear 

what one needs to do to move 

from one country to another, 

because people of course don’t 

want to be stuck in foreign 

countries. We would thus like to 

see an agreement on collaboration 

between governments so that 

we can resume mobility in a safe 

manner and make it effective, to 

have some certainty that would 

allow us to resume international 

travel. 

How essential will vaccination 

passports become over the next 

year? 

We are not in favour of vaccination 

passports, so much as “health” 

passes, as we believe that 

vaccination of everyone in the 

world is going to take years. 

However, we believe that the 

aggressive role out of vaccines 

is going to help and is part of the 

solution. The challenge in our 

mind is “How do you make the 

invisible visible?” 

How do you do risk assessment 

based on the individual and not 

based on the country? The answer 

is “Testing, testing, testing”. Since 

April last year, we have been 

insisting that testing should be 

included in the journey, supported 

by contact tracing and technology. 

That’s why health pass apps are 

important. 

The technology, the apps, create a 

seamless experience. As I said, we 

need multiple components as part 

of the solution: testing, contact 

tracing and health apps. Then of 

course you have the vaccination 

roll-out. You need to have all 

these pieces to create the whole 

solution. 

Today, 

Thursday, 

11 March 2021 

11:20 

VISIT 

BRAND CAR D 

HOW DO WE MAKE THIS CRISIS AN 

OPPORTUNITY, AND HOW DO WE 

RESUME TRAVEL MOBILITY, BRING 

BACK THOSE JOBS? 

NOT TO BE MISSED 

ITB SESSION 

Gloria Guevara will be a panellist 

in the ITB Resilience Roundtable 

(with Jacobs Media and the Resilience Council) 

ITB Berlin NOW Convention Stage 1 

EU Ministers Meeting 

WTTC CALLS ON EU LEADERSHIP 

TO “SAVE THE SECTOR” 

At this month’s EU Tourism 

Ministers Meeting, the World 

Travel & Tourism Council called on 

leadership from the EU to save the 

Travel & Tourism sector which has 

been left in ruin by the COVID-19 

pandemic. 

During the critical meeting, Gloria 

Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, 

said: “We have one single request: 

we need to see the restoration of 

international mobility. We need 

clear rules for mobility. Europe 

must define protocols, so it’s 

clear how mobility can be safely 

resumed within the EU, to the EU 

and from the EU. We must replace 

ineffective quarantines and move 

from a country-based assessment 

to individual based assessment. 

Not entire populations are infected, 

and we must not treat them as 

such” 


I REGION I AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST I 

Middle East 

MAIN TRAVEL DESTINATIONS 

BAHRAIN 

ISRAEL 

JORDAN 

LEBANON 

OMAN 

QATAR 

UNITED ARAB 

EMIRATES 

ABU DHABI 

AJMAN 

DUBAI 

FUJAIRAHV 

RAS AL- 

KHAIMAH 

SHARJAH 

Africa 

MAIN TRAVEL DESTINATIONS 

ALGERIA 

BOTSWANA 

CÔTE D’IVOIRE 

EGYPT 

ERITREA 

GAMBIA 

GHANA 

ILE DE LA 

RÉUNION 

KENYA 

LESOTHO 

MADAGASCAR 

MALAWI 

MALI 

MAURITIUS 

MAYOTTE 

MOROCCO 

MOZAMBIQUE 

NAMIBIA 

RWANDA 

SAINT HELENA 

SAO TOME AND 

PRINCIPE 

SEYCHELLES 

SIERRA LEONE 

SOUTH AFRICA 

SUDAN 

TANZANIA 

TOGO 

UGANDA 

ZAMBIA 

ZIMBABWE 

MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA 

DOHA SKYLINE 

WITH THE 

SHERATON 

HOTEL 

The Middle-East shows 

readiness for post-Covid 

tourism 

Although many countries in the Middle-East totally 

closed their borders last year, some Gulf states worked 

hard to stay open. They will likely be among the first to 

re-emerge in a post-Covid recovery era. Africa should 

rapidly grow again as the pandemic has been largely 

kept under control - the southern part of the continent 

excepted. 

According to the UNWTO, 

the Middle-East and Africa 

both recorded a drop of 

around 75% in arrivals, the 

second largest decline among 

regions in percentage terms. 

Africa recorded 17.8 million 

international travellers while the 

Middle East had a total of 16.2 

million. Borders remained tightly 

controlled for most of 2020. 

However, by the last quarter of 

2020, a few countries started 

to again accept international 

travellers. These included Jordan, 

Lebanon, Oman and the UAE. 

Many African countries stayed 

open, although restrictions such 

as compulsory quarantine were 

implemented. There has been the 

case for Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda, 

the Seychelles or Tanzania. 

According to the latest UNWTO 

data, some countries in the 

region managed to limit losses 

under 70%. In the Gulf area, 

international arrivals to the UAE 

were down by 67% last year, 

Qatar by 69.2%, Egypt by 69.5%. 

North Africa's popular tourism 

destinations also had limited 

losses, especially as they opened 

over the summer for European 

travellers. Morocco recorded a 

decline of 57.7% in international 

tourist arrivals, just like Tunisia, 

also down by 57.8%. 

The Gulf looks meanwhile like 

bouncing back in 2021 as many 

countries in the region started or 

will start relaxing entry conditions 

as the roll-out of vaccines 

ramps-up. The Indian Ocean is 

also poised for a rapid return of 

travellers. As an example, the 

Seychelles just announced to 

be welcoming visitors armed 

with recent negative PCR tests 

(72 hours), with no compulsory 

quarantine. 

In Dubai, the hosting towards the 

end of the year of Dubai World 

Expo as well as the UAE’s 50th 

anniversary celebrations should 

give a boost to international 

arrivals. The normalisation of 

diplomatic relations between 

Israel, Saudi Arabia and the 

UAE will give a new boost to 

tourism in the region. The lift of 

the diplomatic ban against Qatar 

by Saudi Arabia, Bahrein, Egypt 

and the UAE after three years 

will also stimulate business. 

Meanwhile, the opening midyear 

of the Grand Egyptian 

Museum, with the world's largest 

collection dedicated to Ancient 

Egyptian civilisations, will help 

in attracting tourists keen on 

culture 

BRIEFS 

5.51 million 

Dubai last year recorded a third of the total 

number of international visitors registered 

in 2019. While the Emirate welcomed 16.73 

million tourists from over 233 countries in 

2019, last year Dubai received 5.51 million 

international guests in 2020. South Asia and 

Europe represented the largest share at 21% 

each 

VISITOR 

VISAS FREE OF 

CHARGE 

Mauritius is the only country in the world 

which offers long-term visitor visas free of 

charge and a free Covid vaccine to holders 

of a Premium visa. Mauritius’ Premium 

Visa allows international visitors to stay 

in Mauritius for up to 12 months to work 

remotely, retire or simply enjoy a longer 

holiday. The visa is renewable 

MAURITIUS - 

MAGNIFICENT CREOLE 

HERITAGE 

72% 

Closing 2020 with a passenger traffic 

decline of about 72%*, the Middle East, 

which served 405 million passengers in 

2019, will probably take until 2024 to return 

to pre-Covid passenger levels 

*Forecasts released by the Airports Council International (ACI) 

© www.mymauritius.travel 




ADVERTORIAL 

Tamanrasset 

Algeria promotes 

four seasons of 

tourism… in one day 

The oft undiscovered desert regions 

of Algeria are under the spotlight at 

ITB Berlin NOW 

VISIT 

BRAND CAR D 

© ONT-Algeria 

With the aim of further promoting the destination Algeria, a 

strategy has been put in place to optimise inbound tourism 

in the post-Covid era. Faced with the dramatic financial 

consequences of the pandemic, an operational steering 

committee for the resumption of activities has been created, 

bringing together all the players in the tourism chain. 

Algeria's strategy for reviving 

tourism is based on the following 

main areas: 

To further support the investment 

and support project owners 

with the aim of qualitatively and 

quantitatively strengthening 

the reception capacities of the 

destination Algeria; 

Improving the quality of the 

tourism offering, thanks in 

particular to the modernisation 

of the training apparatus and the 

professionalisation of the activity; 

The development of a professional 

marketing strategy to improve the 

visibility of the destination Algeria 

through the generalisation of 

the use of digital media and the 

digitalisation of promotional 

vectors; 

Accompanying operators to 

conquer international markets; 

Involving more players in the 

tourism chain in the process 

of making the destination a 

tourist destination as part of a 

participatory approach. 

Organising virtual meetings for 

the exchange of experiences with 

different partner countries. 

The end of the pandemic and the 

resumption of international tourism 

will allow local tourism authorities 

to better relaunch destination 

Algeria with circuits in Tassili 

and Hoggar, which are flagship 

products. 

“The post-pandemic tourist 

will certainly look for outdoor 

destinations with wide spaces 

to avoid the rush of tourists,” 

says Saliha Nacer Bey - General 

Manager, National Tourism Board 

of Algeria. “Algeria, with its Saharan 

destinations, has the right product 

for stays of discovery and escape 

in the wide-open spaces of our 

majestic desert.” 

Ms Nacer Bey says her nation’s 

participation in ITB Berlin NOW this 

year is an opportunity to highlight 

the different advantages of the 

destination. “In addition to this virtual 

Saliha Nacer Bey 

General Manager, 

National Tourism Board of Algeria 

exhibition, we are in the process 

of directing our communication 

strategy towards new technologies 

and social networks in order to 

better place our tourism product on 

international markets,” she adds. 

The Algerian south is considered 

an invaluable tourist wealth. 

Adventure tourism in Saharan 

areas is the spearhead of receptive 

tourism. “The aim of the DMO is to 

turn the Sahara into the greatest 

international attraction of discovery 

tourism, but only on the condition 

of putting in place the necessary 

mechanisms to preserve any 

form of alteration or degradation 

following uncontrolled tourism, 

says Ms Nacer Bey 

ALGERIA 

THE 

ULTIMATE 

IN CLIMATIC 

DIVERSITY 

Algeria is a country where you 

can find all four seasons in one 

day: skiing on the slopes of the 

djurdura mountains in Tikjda in 

the morning and skiing on the 

fine sand dunes of Taghit in 

the evening, swimming on the 

majestic blue coast of Tipaza 

while visiting the Roman ruins 

in the morning and watching the 

sunset from Assekrem over the 

high mountains of Hoggar. 

Algeria’s advantage is to have 

remained in a pristine state with 

hundreds of natural resorts that 

are just waiting to be visited, 

like the resort of Ain Ouarka in 

Naâma, Zelfana in Ghardaïa, the 

traditional resorts of the wilaya 

of Djelfa and others 



Qatar: towards 

FIFA World Cup 

2022 

Berthold Trenkel 

COO, Qatar National Tourism 

Council 

The countdown is on to “the big event” – the soccer world 

cup, with a huge number of new hotel rooms set to come 

online over the next year. We asked Berthold Trenkel, 

COO, Qatar National Tourism Council, to tell us more 

about his nation’s plans. 

As we countdown to the 

FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, 

Qatar National Tourism Council 

is undertaking a range of 

initiatives to make Qatar a 

world-leading destination, 

with a number of key tourism 

developments underway. For 

example, in addition to the 

existing hotels, another 117 

properties are currently under 

construction. This will mean 

an additional 18,200 rooms 

on top of the existing 37,000, 

ready for guests coming to the 

World Cup. One particularly 

exciting new opening is the 

Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & 

Villas, a family-friendly resort 

with 361 rooms, suites and 

beach villas and Qatar’s largest 

theme and water park, which 

opened earlier this year. 

We are also investing in the 

improvement of a number 

of tourism assets. For example, 

a refurbishment project 

is currently underway to 

restore our traditional Dhow 

boats, which are a must-do 

experience for any visit to Qatar. 

Read more 

VISIT 

BRAND CAR D 




Expo 2020 Dubai: 

celebrating human 

ingenuity 

Exclusive Interview with 

Sumathi Ramanathan, 

Director, Market Strategy 

& Sales, Sales & Analytics, 

Expo 2020 

With Expo 2020 set to open in 

October this year, curiosity is 

growing as to just what people 

will see at this mega-event. We 

asked Sumathi Ramanathan to 

give us a foretaste of what’s 

set to be the pride of the 

middle east for many years to 

come. 

Expo 2020 Dubai is a destination 

where people from around the 

world will come to have fun, learn 

and be empowered. Our aim for 

Expo 2020 is to deliver an inclusive 

experience that celebrates human 

ingenuity, welcoming more 

than 200 participants including 

nations, multilateral organisations, 

businesses and educational 

institutions. 

When can travellers start to get a 

glimpse of the pavilions, and when 

does the "main event" take place? 

We have launched a limited-time 

opportunity for visitors to preview 

the thematic pavilions through our 

‘Expo 2020 Pavilions Premiere’, and 

the programme provides a glimpse 

of what is to come when Expo 2020 

Dubai welcomes the world from 

October 1st. Guests are currently 

being offered an opportunity to be 

among the first to experience Terra 

– the Sustainability Pavilion, with 

the location open to the public from 

January 22nd until April 10th. Alif – 

the Mobility Pavilion and Mission 

Possible – the Opportunity Pavilion 

will follow later in the first quarter 

of 2021. 

What will people see there? 

Expo 2020 Dubai will last for 182 

days, and every day will offer brand 

new experiences for our visitors. 

There will be festivals celebrating 

everything from outer space to 

the future of design, 60 live shows 

daily and 190 countries showing 

the very best of their cultures, 

cuisines and creativity. For the first 

time at a World Expo, each nation 

will have its own pavilion. Visitors 

can also explore Expo 2020’s subthemes 

of Opportunity, Mobility and 

Sustainability at the three Thematic 

Pavilions. 

There will be more than 200 F&B 

outlets offering dishes from every 

corner of the globe – think Peruvian 

ceviche and Indonesian nasi 

goreng, Spanish tapas and Creole 

Jambalaya, French steak frites and 

Singaporean street noodles. At the 

centre is the 150m-diameter Al Wasl 

Plaza, topped by a huge domed 

trellis that will act as a 360-degree 

projection surface for various shows. 

Taking its name from the Arabic 

term for ‘the connection’, Al Wasl 

Plaza will link the three Thematic 

Districts – Opportunity, Mobility 

and Sustainability – as well as the 

Dubai Metro Route 2020 link and the 

falcon-inspired UAE Pavilion. 

Why is Expo 2020 even more 

relevant during / post-covid 19? 

The theme of the event remains very 

much the same, Expo 2020 is about 

connecting minds and creating the 

future. The world needs this more 

than ever: a chance to come together 

and achieve a joint solution to the 

challenges we face. Every country 

has been grappling with the same 

challenges – and this will provide an 

opportunity to come together. Our 

partners have taken the year-long 

delay to sharpen their offering and 

to work out what is most relevant 

to audiences right now. We, as 

organisers of Expo 2020, are doing 

the same. 

What health & safety measures will 

we be taken to safeguard guests? 

In terms of visitors, we have put 

a number of measures in place to 

ensure safety. We have worked with 

the United Arab Emirates’ health 

authorities, as well as the World 

Health Organisation to ensure we 

meet the correct standards. We 

continue to monitor how the world 

is coping with the crisis – and health 

and safety is of course our top priority. 

There are temperature checkpoints 

on site, visitors are required to wear 

masks, social distancing is in place 

and all venues are regularly cleaned. 

The site is huge, some 4.38 sq km, 

so this gives a great opportunity to 

keep people safe. 

How important is this event in terms 

of placing Dubai on the international 

agenda and raising awareness of 

achievements in the emirate? 

We are very confident we can host 

Expo 2020 in Dubai this year. I 

am sure you and your readers are 

aware that Dubai was one of the 

first cities to reopen to international 

tourism. Everything is progressing 

as planned, and we have more than 

190 countries that have committed 

to the event. The site continues 

to progress beautifully, with 

the majority of the construction 

completed. There is still some work 

to do on individual national pavilions, 

but many incredible buildings have 

now been completed. World Expos 

have brought people together from 

around the globe for the past 168 

years, and this is the first one ever 

to be held in the Middle East, Africa 

and South Asia (MEASA) region. 

The UAE will welcome the world to 

its doorstep for Expo 2020 Dubai, a 

once-in-a-lifetime celebration and 

the largest event ever staged in the 

Arab world 

VISIT 

BRAND CAR D 


I GERMAN REGION I MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN I 

MECKLENBURG-VORPOMMERN 

Demonstrating exemplary 

crisis management 

Exclusive interview: 

Tobias Woitendorf, CEO at Mecklenburg- 

Vorpommern Tourist Board 

The Covid crisis has impacted all tourism destinations… some harder than others. We 

asked Tobias Woitendorf, CEO at Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Tourist Board whether his 

organisation has a plan to navigate “out of the woods”. 

Yes, and we indeed need a minimum level of foresight. 

There is nothing that would be counterproductive to 

making plans subject to certain conditions being 

met. Federal and state level politics have promised 

people, businesses and also themselves that 

they will speed things up. The holiday destination 

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was severely impacted 

by the negative effects of the corona pandemic 

early-on. We came up with complex strategies and 

WE DO WHATEVER WE 

CAN TO GENERATE 

POSITIVE EFFECTS FOR THE 

INDUSTRY IN 

MECKLENBURG- 

VORPOMMERN 

step-by-step plans to manage the crisis as promptly 

as possible. For instance, since March 2020 (first 

lockdown), a strategic plan to restart tourism, and 

based on it a multi-phase model as well as a total 

of eleven protection standards for different sectors 

of tourism have been developed which were linked 

to the Corona Act by the state government. We 

received the Special Award for Exemplary Crisis 

Management from the German Tourism Association 

for these efforts. 

Driven by foresight and accountability, with our 

partners, we launched a re-start scenario for the 

post second lockdown period as early as January 

22, 2021. The tourism industry, which employs 

every fifth worker in the northeast urgently needs 

a perspective. Now we can only wait for the plans 

we have made – which also include a test strategy 

and a red/yellow/green light function for infectionrelated 

measures over the course of the year - to be 

heard. 

Tell us more about your participation in ITB Berlin 

NOW this year. What can attendees see at your ITB 

Brand Card? 

We are at ITB with the “All in for destinations” 

package and have 17 exhibitors "on-site", including 

tourism associations and marketing companies, 

cities such as Rostock, Schwerin, Greifswald and 

Wismar as well as enterprises such as Deutsches 

Meeresmuseum, the Fleesensee Feriendorf GmbH 

or the Arcona Management GmbH. 

What are your thoughts on the organisation of this 

year’s ITB Berlin NOW? 

It is a gigantic challenge that requires a lot of 

coordination between everyone involved. We do 

whatever we can to generate positive effects for the 

industry in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and of course 

also for ITB. With this year’s virtual performance, the 

ITB sends out a clear signal for the future. Let us 

hope that in addition to the definitely sustainable 

digital elements, actual personal encounters will 

once again be possible in Berlin starting in 2022 

VISIT 

BR AND CARD 

NEWS 

“KÖNIGSWEG” IS 

BEING DEVELOPED AT 

THE CLIFF COAST IN 

JASMUND NATIONAL 

PARK 

Likely one of the most attractive 

construction projects in Mecklenburg- 

Vorpommern is the completion of the 

Königsweg on the Island of Rügen. An 

accessible scenic viewing platform 

is in the making at the Königsstuhl, 

one of the Jasmund National Park’s 

landmarks. It offers visitors fascinating 

views of the cliffs, the Baltic Sea and 

the Königsstuhl. Construction work 

is scheduled to begin in the first half 

of 2021 and ought to be concluded in 

2022 

REMOVE BARRIERS, 

INCREASE 

PARTICIPATION: 

RESORT STETTINER 

HAFF 

The construction of Stettiner Haff 

Resort in Vorpommern draws attention 

to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern when it 

comes to accessible holidays. Under the 

motto “Designing the Future Together 

– Sustainably and Barrier Free,” a new 

resort, which will cover 18,000 square 

meters, is under construction near the 

Port of Altwarp at the Stettiner Haff. 

Based on information provided by the 

investors, Jana and Uwe Trinkus, its 

concept is one-of-a-kind in Germany 



I SPECIAL FEATURE I SMART TOURISM I FAMILY DESTINATIONS & RESORTS I 

GOTHENBURG & MALAGA 

– 2020 CAPITALS OF 

SMART TOURISM – 

Under the spotlight 

at ITB Berlin NOW 

ADVERTORIAL 

Gothenburg and Málaga have been selected as the winners 

of the 2020 European Capital of Smart Tourism competition. 

In addition, four cities received 2020 European Smart 

Tourism Awards for their outstanding achievements in one 

of the categories of the competition: Breda (Accessibility), 

Gothenburg (Sustainability), Ljubljana (Digitalisation) and 

Karlsruhe (Cultural heritage and Creativity). 

The European Capital of Smart 

Tourism is an EU initiative. It gives 

European cities the opportunity 

to share their exemplary practices 

as smart tourism destinations 

and awards the titles of European 

Capital of Smart Tourism through 

an EU-wide competition to those 

cities that implement the most 

outstanding measures. 

The European Capital of Smart 

Tourism initiative recognises 

outstanding achievements 

by European cities as tourism 

destinations in four categories: 

sustainability, accessibility, 

digitalisation as well as cultural 

heritage and creativity. It aims 

to promote smart tourism in the 

EU, network and strengthen 

destinations, and facilitate the 

exchange of best practices. 

Hotel building in Gothenburg, Sweden 

Smart tourism responds to new 

challenges and demands in a fastchanging 

sector, including the 

evolution of digital tools, products 

and services; equal opportunity and 

access for all visitors; sustainable 

development of the local area; and 

support to creative industries, local 

talent and heritage. 

Helsinki and Lyon were the 2019 

European Capitals of Smart 

Tourism 

VISIT 

BRAND CAR D 

© Linda Tate Wolfbard / Unsplash 

JEJU, KOREA 

AN IDEAL SETTING 

FOR FABULOUS FAMILY 

HOLIDAYS 

Located southwest of the Korean Peninsula is the 

country's largest island, Jeju-do, not only one of the most 

relaxing holiday spots anywhere, but also a designated 

UNESCO Triple Crown awardee (Biosphere Reserve, 

World Natural Heritage, Global Geopark). 

Travellers can access the island 

easily via ferry or plane from 

the mainland. Seoul-Jeju is the 

air route with the most flights 

in the world with airplanes 

plying the 60-minute long flight 

almost every ten minutes. It is 

also possible to come on an 

international flight from many 

countries. 

With its many resort-style 

hotels, Jeju-do is an especially 

convenient holiday retreat for 

families. The island is not only 

full of exciting activities like 

para-sailing, horse riding, diving 

or taking a railbike track. At the 

Jeju Big Ball Land, visitors can 

feel like an oversized hamster. 

Fulfilling its role as a UNESCO 

World Natural Heritage, Jeju-do 

also has a vast variety of naturelinked 

sightseeing. Renting a 

car will be the most convenient 

way to enjoy the scenic routes 

along the coastline and visiting 

must-see natural sites like 

the Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff 

Cone, Manjanggul Lava Tube 

or mysterious Bijarim Forest. 

Many places offer educational 

programmes for visitors to 

learn more about nature and 

environment on the island. One 

can also visit Korea's largest 

aquarium, Aqua Planet Jeju, or 

the Eco Land Theme Park in 

Gotjawal Forest. The latter is 

the only place in the world to 

nurture both tropical and polar 

plants in one place. 

Other family-oriented tourist 

attractions include Jeju Maze 

Land, with the world’s longest 

stonework maze, and the Teddy 

Bear Museum at Jungmun 

Resort 

VISIT 

BR AND CARD 


I SPECIAL FEATURE I FAMILY DESTINATIONS & RESORTS I 

ADVERTORIAL 

Italy spoils families with 

thousands of fun activities 

From adventure to education parks, theme walks, workshops in 

farms or historical experiences, Italy is a like a giant book of tales for 

families 

ABRUZZO, GET IMMERSED 

IN ITALY'S "BIOLOGICAL 

LABORATORY" 

Known as one of the leading green regions of Europe, Abruzzo 

is considered an extraordinary biological laboratory with three 

National Parks : the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, 

the Maiella National Park and the Gran Sasso and Monti della 

Laga National Park. 

Youngsters will love discovering a large number of flora and 

fauna species, including the chamois, the Apennine wolf or 

the Marsican brown bear. Within the parks, environmental 

education centres and nature museums organise training 

programmes for families that encourage a responsible attitude 

towards nature. And of course families love Abruzzo's beach 

and seaside activities 

FUN MEMORIES AT BASILICATA 

AMUSEMENT AND NATURE 

PARKS 

Adrenaline is guaranteed at the adventure parks of San 

Severino Lucano and Cirigliano in the Lucanian Dolomites. 

With its Tibetan and swinging bridges and its climbing nets, the 

Pollino Park offers multiple adventures for children. In Gallipoli 

Cognato Park, trails link centennial Turkey oaks through 

platforms, bridges, ropes and cables. How about a dip into the 

waters of Metaponto aquatic park with its slides, swimming 

pool or jacuzzi? Or In Tramutola, where kids can enjoy a long 

river flowing into one of the park's swimming pools 

Children will love to 

observe chamois in 

Abruzzo national parks 

Families also love the 

beaches in Basilicata 

FRIULI VENEZIA GIULIA, FAMILY 

HOLIDAYS ALONG THE ADRIATIC COAST 

Family biking activities 

along the Adriatic Coast 

In Friuli Venezia Giulia, children are the stars of a holiday. Travellers can choose from 

family-friendly beach establishments awarded the Green Flag by paediatricians. 

Natural paradises include the lidos along the coast of the Gulf of Trieste with its 

pebble beaches and rocky bays. 

"Family Experience Mare" accommodation facilities are specialised in welcoming 

young guests with services, facilities and entertainment. Guests staying in 

participating accommodation receive a free Family Carnet to access the main 

attractions along the coast for free or at special prices 



ADVERTORIAL 

I SPECIAL FEATURE I FAMILY DESTINATIONS & RESORTS I 

VISIT 

BR AND CARD 

LOMBARDY, AN INFINITY OF 

"MUST-DO" ACTIVITIES FOR 

KIDS 

Go for the unusual in Lombardy for children. In the Tactile 

Museum in Varese, visitors are blindfolded among a threedimensional 

encyclopaedia, installations and multi-sensory 

trails. At Parco delle Fucine di Casto kids follow a circular 

route of 1,700 m of sealed pathways, climbing walls, trekking 

and hiking paths, mountain bike trails, Tibetan bridges and a 

canyon. In one of Lombardy’s 200 school farms, children can 

walk with ducks, cuddle rabbits or ride on donkeys, like in the 

good old days 

Jungle Raider Park 

Xtreme a Caglio (CO) 

SAN MARINO, THE 

ENTERTAINING REPUBLIC FOR 

FAMILIES 

The Republic of San Marino welcomes families keen on history 

and arts. An extraordinary time travel through history can be 

made at the new interactive Titanus Museum. The colourful 

uniforms and ritual of the Changing of the Guard are among 

the not-to-be-missed attractions for children and are held daily 

during summer. For adventure lovers, San Marino Adventures is 

the ideal theme park with 30 thrilling paths hanging in the trees, 

Tibetan bridges, cableways, tunnels and more 

The changing 

of the guards 

FARMING EXPERIENCES 

IN TRENTINO 

Families in Trentino should look for an educational farm where 

they can discover the local hospitality. Little ones can for example 

learn to make yoghurt or ricotta cheese, or to create goods with 

felt. Recommended are Maso Pertener in the Adamello Brenta 

Nature Park with its animals at pasture; Agritur Solasna, in San 

Giacomo in Val di Sole with apple picking and Casolet cheese. 

Near Trento, the Agritur La Val welcomes guests in a family-run 

facility where the silence is interrupted only by a donkey 

LAKE GARDA OR BEACHES? 

A FAMILY HOLIDAY IN VENETO 

In Veneto, families with children are guaranteed a memorable 

time, with many facilities and offers available in all seasons! 

A first option are the 120 km long golden sand beaches of the 

upper Adriatic coast. The Venice Sands app provides most 

information on Veneto’s resorts. Another option is Lake Garda 

where all kinds of sports can be practiced. It concentrates 

adventure parks, zoos, botanic gardens and much, much more. 

Gardaland theme park with its Legoland water park and other 

child-friendly attractions guarantee fun and relaxation for the 

whole family 

© Marco Simonini 

Family holidays on 

Venice beaches 

© Veneto region 

Agritur Klopfhof, Valle dei Mocheni 

Trentino Marketing/Consorzio 

turistico valle dei Mocheni 


I SPECIAL FEATURE I CYCLING TOURISM I 

ADVERTORIAL 

On your Bicicletta! 

Italy, a legendary destination for cycling 

Italians love their bikes, as testified by the 

numerous sport events celebrating cycling. 

No wonder tourists will find thousand of 

cycling paths to enjoy Italy on two wheels! 

VISIT 

BR AND CARD 

CYCLING 

IN ABRUZZO 

EMOTION ON 

TWO WHEELS 

Abruzzo is perfect for slow 

pace rides with hundreds 

of kilometres of cycle paths 

between hills, mountains 

and the coast. The "Bike to 

Coast" runs along 130 km of 

the national Adriatic Cycle 

Route next to beaches and 

centuries-old pine forests. 

Inland Abruzzo, itineraries 

take cyclists to the highest 

peaks in the Apennines, 

along vineyards or into 

the challenging Altipiani 

Maggiore d'Abruzzo. 

Cyclists should use the 

Abruzzo Bike Friendly 

brand which identifies 

accommodation, F&B, 

services and partners. 

Cycling along the 

Trabocchi coast 

EMILIA 

ROMAGNA 

A NEW 

ITINERARY AND 

EVENTS IN 2021 

Emilia Romagna stands 

out for the promotion of 

cycling tourism. Circuits 

allow one to discover 

nature parks, reserves and 

historical sites. Visitors 

can use Terrabici, a cycling 

association of 43 hotels 

and tour operators. This 

year, the region launches 

"Via Romagna", a 512 km 

circuit covering exceptional 

sites. Emilia Romagna is 

also home to many biking 

events. One of the largest is 

the Nove Colli di Cesenatico 

in May (the event must 

be confirmed according 

the pandemic situation) 

which attracts over 12,000 

participants from more 

than 50 countries. 

La Verna circuit starting 

and finishing in Bagno di 

Romagna 

MULTI- 

COUNTRY 

BIKING TRAILS 

IN FRIULI 

VENEZIA GIULIA 

Being a neighbour to 

Austria and Slovenia 

provides Friuli Venezia 

Giulia with itineraries where 

history matches alpine and 

maritime landscapes. The 

Alpe Adria Cycle Route 

starts in Salzburg, Austria, 

to reach Italy. It then passes 

the Alpine Tarvisio and 

the morainic hills before 

reaching the Adriatic Sea. 

The Pedemontana and 

Collio Cycle Route links 

Sacile to Gorizia across the 

Pre-Alpine arc. The route 

crosses vineyards, art towns 

and villages. Finally, the 

Plain and Natisone Cycle 

Route connects Udine to 

Caporetto, passing through 

Cividale. 

Cycling along the strada 

Napoleonica near Trieste 



ADVERTORIAL 


LOMBARDY 

A SENSORIAL 

APPROACH 

Touring Lombardy by 

bicycle means witnessing 

destinations with a sensorial 

approach. Lombardy has 

selected for travellers 

10 itineraries offering 

authentic experiences. 

Among them, the Mincio 

Bicycle Path brings 

the atmosphere of the 

Renaissance between Lake 

Garda and the Po River. The 

Oglio Bicycle Path goes 

from Ponte di Legno in 

Brescia to reach the plains, 

along traces of ancient 

glaciers. And the vineyards 

of Franciacorta give an 

opportunity to smell roses 

or enjoy a glass of wine. 

The Barge 

Bridge, 

Bereguardo 

(Pavia) 

PIEMONTE 

THE LEGEND 

BEHIND ITALIAN 

CYCLING 

Travellers discovering 

Piedmont by bike have a 

different kind of view of the 

rare beauty of the Western 

Alps. An adventure on Lake 

Maggiore and Lake d’Orta 

takes place amidst nature and 

culture, or along the rice fields 

between Novara and Vercelli. 

The VeloViso cycling routes 

between Italy and France 

allow cyclists to explore the 

Monviso and Occitan Valleys 

in Cuneo. The Natural Park of 

the Maritime Alps, 50 km away 

from the French Riviera, is a 

real treasure of biodiversity 

with 3,000m peaks and more 

than 80 lakes. 

Cuneo mountains and 

sports activities 

© Giorgio Perottino/Getty Images for Visit Piemonte 

SAN MARINO 

FASCINATING 

ITINERARIES 

FOR ALL 

BIKERS 

The sector has grown 

rapidly in recent years, 

with the development 

of "cycling stays" in San 

Marino. 23 routes of varying 

difficulty start from inside 

the Republic and spread 

out to the surrounding 

area. San Marino Cycling 

Experience organises 

beautiful and surprising 

itineraries, and cyclists can 

count on bike hotels that 

offer all kind of services, 

as the organisation caters 

specifically for the cycling 

community. Completing 

the offer are also many 

secondary initiatives 

related to entertainment, 

food & wine, and wellness. 

San Marino by bike 

TUSCANY 

IMMERSE 

YOUR BIKING 

TIME IN ART, 

GASTRONOMY 

AND HISTORY 

An increasing number of 

travellers are finding it fun to 

combine a seaside holiday 

with cycling activities in 

the Versilia area in Tuscany. 

Itineraries range from the 

promenades of Viareggio to 

the Massaciuccoli lake, with 

picturesque hamlets along 

the way. For those favouring 

less crowded beaches and 

wilder landscapes, why 

not choose the Tuscan 

Archipelago? The “Grand 

Tour in Maremma” is a route 

crossed by greenery and 

spectacular panoramas. 

For fans of amazing 

landscapes combined with 

gastronomy, the “Terre di 

Siena” covers Chianti, Crete 

Senesi, Valdichiana and Val 

di Merse. 

Biking along the Arno 

river in Tuscany 

TRENTINO 

CYCLING 

FOR PASSION, 

CYCLING 

FOR FUN 

Dozens of paths and trails 

linking the Dolomites to 

Lake Garda testify that 

Trentino is at the forefront for 

cycling tours. The backbone 

of this network is a 100km 

cycle path along the Adige 

valley, linking Bolzano to 

the plain of the Po. All cycle 

paths offer GPS tracks. For 

those who prefer the thrill of 

the descent, “bici bus” (bike 

buses) and “bici + treno” 

(bike + train) services bring 

travellers to the top of peaks 

from which they can head 

downhill. 

Cycling path 

in Val di Sole 



© 2019 Paradesa 

Taiwan launches 

the “Year of Cycling 

Tourism” at ITB 

Berlin NOW 

Trans-Borneo Road Bike 

An epic ride through 

Borneo: trans-Borneo 

road cycling 

The Taiwan Tourism Office is presenting new aspects 

of travel to the country every day at ITB Berlin NOW, 

including a 30-minute webinar on Tuesday, that 

showcased the highlights of Taiwan as a cycling 

destination. 

Indeed, few countries offer bicycle travellers such a perfect 

infrastructure for their cycling vacations. Taiwan is one of the 

most cycling enthusiastic nations in the world, and one can for 

example discover Taiwan's landscapes and people along the 

famous long-distance cycling trail Route No1. 

Other presentations are focusing on outdoor activities, cultural 

aspects and different kinds of accommodation. Specialists 

from a wide range of fields provide webinar participants with 

important knowledge modules for successfully selling the 

destination. 

The Taiwan Tourism Office is promoting cycling and hiking 

tours lasting several days and many water sports activities, 

including surfing, sailing or diving – with something for all 

lovers of outdoor activities. 

Today, a 45-minute presentation will focus on hiking holidays as 

well as Taiwan’s scenic diversity. 

Tomorrow, the Taiwan Tourism Office will look at how 21st 

Century lifestyles are as much a part of Taiwan as centuries-old 

customs and religions, as well as the ancestral traditions of the 

16 indigenous tribes. 

To register for the webinars, email s.schwindt@taiwantourismus. 

de. Places are available on a first come, first served basis. 

Sarawak has traditionally 

offered spectacular wildlife 

and unique tribal culture in the 

heart of Borneo. 

For adventurous tourists, who are 

ready to explore unusual destinations, 

Sarawak is the new kid on the block 

when it comes to cycling holidays. 

A specialised cycling tour operator 

based in the Sarawak capital of 

Kuching, Paradesa Borneo, offers 

trips on bike ranging from a few 

hours to more than 15 days. 

The newest one on the list is the 

Trans-Borneo Road Cycling – an 

epic 15-day adventure across the 

Malaysian region of Borneo, as well 

as Brunei. 

“The newly launched 15-day road 

cycling tour across the island of 

Borneo opens all new possibilities 

to experience a completely new side 

of the island,” said Paradesa Borneo 

Director JC Chua. “The tour covers 

two countries, eight international 

crossings and just over 1,300 km 

of great riding spread over twelve 

amazing days in the saddle. This 

ground-breaking journey through 

Borneo sees us cycling from the 

western state of Malaysia’s Sarawak 

and takes us, in style via the Kingdom 

of Brunei, to the eastern state of 

Sabah.” 

Established in 2013, Paradesa Borneo 

also offers Multiple Activity Cycling 

Holidays that combine bike and 

kayaking trips in Semadang River – 

as well as great hikes to spot wildlife 

in many national parks of Sarawak. 

Bespoke road and mountain cycling 

programme in Sarawak with the 

itinerary taking into consideration 

the customers’ experience, stamina, 

and interests are part of expanding 

portfolio of cycling holidays offered 

by Paradesa Borneo 

VISIT 

BRAND CAR D 

The Taiwan Tourism Office says 

webinar participants will receive a 

Bluetooth speaker after successful 

participation. In addition, a 

Taiwanese tea set will be raffled off 

among all participants after each 

webinar 

VISIT 

BRAND CAR D 

LEARN MORE ABOUT 

SARAWAK: 

READ THE SMARTguide 

"SARAWAK: A NEW VISION" 



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ITB Berlin News 2021 - Day 3 Edition

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