2024 ITB BERLIN NEWS - DAY 1 Edition

I NEWS I
Morning Briefing
CONTENTS
By Deborah Rothe, Director ITB Berlin
Defining the world of
travel together
#09 TODAY'S
HIGHLIGHTS
#14 ITB BERLIN 2024
OPENING PRESS
CONFERENCE
#20 TRADE TALK
Good morning and welcome to ITB Berlin
2024! I'm Deborah Rothe, the show's Director,
and I'm thrilled to share with you today's
exciting lineup of events and opportunities for
learning, connecting, and exploring the future
of travel.
Let's start with a real highlight of the day,
the ITB Berlin Convention's Future Track.
Here, you'll hear from industry leaders and
innovators as they discuss the latest trends
and technologies shaping the travel landscape.
Today's keynote, a friendly and engaging
fireside chat with Glenn Fogel from Booking
Holdings, is sure to offer valuable insights
into the current state of the travel industry
and its direction for the future. To see today's
highlights turn to page 9, and for the complete
programme for the Future Track conference,
you can scan the QR code on page 13.
But first, let's revisit yesterday's opening press
conference. Moderated by Katie Gallus, we
received an overview of ITB Berlin 2024's
highlights, 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,
offered an insightful look into this year's
Official Host Country. Phocuswright's Charuta
Fadnis shared her expertise on the global
travel industry's growth, the impact of AI,
and how companies are adapting to these
changes, while DRV President Norbert Fiebig
discussed the Germans' prevailing passion for
travel.
From the exhibitors' side, among our more
than 5,500 exhibitors, one of the must-visit
booths is of course Oman, the Official Host
Country of ITB Berlin 2024. Discover this
unique destination, where authentic cultural
experiences, breathtaking natural landscapes,
and luxurious accommodations await. Oman
is also a shining example of how sustainable
tourism can benefit both the environment
and local communities. To learn more about
Oman and its vision for the future, be sure to
read the exclusive interview with H.E. Salim Al
Mahrouqi, Minister of Heritage and Tourism for
the Sultanate of Oman, on page 24.
Our team is here to support you throughout
your ITB Berlin journey. If you have any
questions or need assistance, please don't
hesitate to approach us at the ITB Berlin
Information Counters or reach out through our
mobile app.
Thank you for joining us today, and we look
forward to seeing all of you on the show floor.
Let's make the most of this opportunity to
learn, connect, and shape the future of travel
together!
#24 REGION:
MIDDLE EAST - AFRICA
OMAN
SPECIAL FEATURES
#39 TRAVEL TECHNOLOGIES
#48 CYCLING TOURISM
#51 TRANSPORT
#54 WHERE TO GO IN BERLIN
@ Oman Convention
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ITB BERLIN NEWS • TUESDAY 5 TH MARCH 2024 7