ITB Berlin trends
An increase of products catering for gay and lesbian travel at ITB this year reflects the growth of this traditionally niche market. Brazil, Greece, Mexico and Portugal are first-time exhibitors in the section this year. German tourism enterprise Dertour has released its first gay and lesbian travel catalogue, another reflection of the market’s expansion.
Adventure travel and socially responsible tourism are also growth markets. ‘Geoparks’, or destinations identified by UNESCO as of scientific importance, will be newcomers to ITB Berlin, joining organisations such as Rainforest Alliance and the International Eco Tourism Society.
This year will see an expansion in the Far East and Southeast Asian markets. Indonesia, a booming tourism region, and Vietnam will also be strongly represented and nearly two-dozen newcomers will exhibit from China and Mongolia. Central Asia exhibitor numbers have likewise risen, largely due to the return of Bangladesh, absent from ITB Berlin since 2007.
The African region sees the return of several countries such as the Republican of Côte d´Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Chad, which hasn’t exhibited since 1999.
The ITB Berlin tradeshow and the ITB Berlin Convention run from 7-11 March 2012. Additional information is available at www.itb-convention.com
