ITB Berlin News Preview
ITB Berlin News Your Official Information Source at ITB Berlin WEDNESDAY 27 th february 2013 PREVIEW EDITION EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS Special Feature: Youth travel TRADE NEWS Dr. Michael Frenzel Chairman of the Board of TUI AG and WTTC president “A recent study has shown that simplified visa procedures could create 5 million additional jobs in the G20 states alone.” Read page 6 Jürgen Büchy President Deutscher ReiseVerband “…the travel agency continues to be the most important sales channel providing the advantage of personal and individual advice…” Read page 7 Thomas Korbus Founder of ruf “Globalisation has made the world a smaller place. The number of holidays being taken, particularly by young people, is higher than it used to be…” Read page 38 Mark Allan Director – Travco “Being the world’s largest tourism trade fair, ITB Berlin presents a not to be missed opportunity for us to source new hotels as part of our global expansion” Read page 41 Hall 9 Stand 202 Hall 2.1 Stand 225 Hall 9 Stand 123 A Breath of Fresh Air For the World Economy ITB Berlin 2013 – a driver for the travel and tourism sectors – stronger than ever At a time when finance ministers and the presidents of the central banks of the G20 nations are unanimous in noting lacklustre economic performance, the tourism sector, far from being dragged under, continues to gain pace. Indeed, a landmark has been reached with news that over a billion people took to travel in 2012. The sector’s most important global trade event, ITB Berlin 2013, not only reflects this, but is a key element in the ongoing success of the market through thought leadership and innovation. One such new initiative is the Silk Road Action Plan, which is set to take new major strides forward at this year’s event. In this (first ever) edition of ITB Berlin News, Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) (pictured left) gives a preview of the coming Silk Road Ministers’ Meeting on 6 th March. Read more on page 24 Taleb Rifai Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Destination Australasia & South Pacific In this edition, we spotlight the “land down under” and the “land of the Hobbit” – not to mention key island destinations nearby. In an exclusive interview with Eva Seller of Tourism Australia, you’ll learn about the brand new campaign by her organisation, and from Tourism New Zealand’s Danielle Genty, we hear about the huge flow-on effect to her nation’s tourism industry of Tolkien’s fantastic movie phenomenon. Read more on page 28 Australia A different kind of airport experience
