EDITORIALRichard
EDITORIALRichard BarnesEditor-in-Chief,ITB Berlin NewsThe growing importance of a virtual ITBThe prominence of the internet, and virtualpresence thanks to online platforms hasbeen proven by the success of ITB.com in theaftermath of the cancellation of ITB Berlin.It must be underlined that ITB.com was alreadyin the pipeline before the crisis. The aim ofthis global website was, at the outset, and iseven more so now, to be a bridge betweenreal-life meetings and digital networking.The aim is to ensure business, content andnetworking availability 365 days a year. ITB.com allows for the effective channeling of thecommunications of all four trade shows – ITBBerlin, ITB Asia, ITB China and ITB India –and offers a year-round networking platformfor the world’s travel industry. It establishesa digital social network for the B2B tourismindustry so that visitors can communicateindependent of the trade shows. Users canset up a profile, match interests, be contactedand can network. They can also follow otherusers, exchange contact details and chat witheach other. It also enables easy access fornewcomers to the industry. By launching theITB.com digital platform ITB has establisheda key platform and travel network whichhas no parallel, and which can be made useof in every market around the world. It alsounderscores ITB management’s year-roundinternational leading standing in terms of themarket and opinion-forming.After the crisis, face-to-face meetings willmore than ever be an essential part ofbusiness, and ITB will facilitate these throughthe return of major trade events. But in themeantime, the “virtual” version continues toenable business contacts and planning forfuture growthITB BERLIN NEWS is a CLEVERDIS Publication.65 av. 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Thepublishers and editorial staff decline all responsibility as to opinions formulated in thispublication by those interviewed or cited therein. Their opinions are entirely their own, andare included with the understanding that they contain, to our knowledge, no maliciousintent. The inclusion of all texts, photographs and other documents supplied by thoseincluded in this publication imply the acceptance by their authors of their free publicationtherein. Documents and photographs will not be returned. It should be understood thatthis publication contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties andassumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements thatcould be deemed forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions includeassumptions relating to the timing of the recorded date. If any of these risks or uncertaintiesmaterialises or any of these assumptions proves incorrect, actual results could differmaterially from the expectations outlined in these statements. Cleverdis assumes noobligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements during theperiod of publication. Photo Credits and Copyright: All Rights Reserved.CONTENTS#05 NEWS#12 RESPONSIBLETOURISM#15 EXCLUSIVEINTERVIEWS#18 ITB CONVENTIONREGIONAL SPOTLIGHTS#29THEAMERICASGERMAN REGIONSAXONYSPECIAL FEATURES#19 MICE#21 GOLF#22 FAMILY DESTINATIONS& RESORTS#23 NATURE TOURISM#26 CULTURAL TOURISM#27 TRAVEL TECHNOLOGIES#28 TECHNOLOGY,TOURS & ACTIVITIES#38ITB BERLIN NEWS • THURSDAY 26 TH MARCH 2020 • 3
