ITB Berlin News - Day
SATURDAY 9 th MARCH 2013 DAY4 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW regioNAL SPOTLIGHT: AMERICAS Special Feature: MICE TRADE NEWS David Scowsill President & CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council “Apart from their research and events, the WTTC concentrates on such things as visas, jobs and taxes” Read page 10 José Napoleón Duarte El Salvador’s Minister of Tourism “Tourism is becoming one of the top sectors in El Salvador’s economy” Read page 20 Philippe Garnier Head of sales, Hilton Worldwide “MICE has always been, and remains, an extremely important part of our business” Read page 23 Nick Greenfield Head of Tour Operator Relations, ETOA “People from other continents see Europe as one destination.” Read page 27 Hall 9 Stand 202 Hall 2.1 Stand 225 Hall 9 Stand 123 The Power to Decide ITB Berlin 2013 – business in the billions The extraordinary number of political and economic leaders present at ITB Berlin again creates an environment to drive the heart of the ever more dynamic travel and tourism industries. ITB Berlin has an immediate effect on world markets, as literally billions of Euros in orders are signed on the show floor – thanks to the fact that the true decision makers are here – on both sides of the coin. Last year, that figure was over 6-billion. Furthermore, with an announcement this week by Messe Berlin it is assisting in the marketing of a new show in Egypt in 2015, and the announcement of a marked increase in the number of international trade visitors at ITB Berlin, not to mention new ideas for ITB Asia, the “ITB influence” on global markets has yet again taken a leap forward. Read more about trends at the show this year in our interview with ITB Berlin’s Dr Martin Buck. (see interview – page 11) Dr Martin Buck Director Competence Center Travel & Logistics, Messe Berlin Destination Spotlight: AMERICAS Thanks to new initiatives by the US government and an exceptional campaign by Brand USA, the region is a star performer, while the Caribbean, Central and South America are also experiencing spectacular growth in most zones. Major efforts appear to be under way in terms of facilitating visa procurement, and even visa waiver is on the cards. Read more about the latest trends in the Americas in this edition’s special feature, from page 12. Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument in Montana © Brand USA
