Egypt – where it all begins -  as the partner country, Egypt will feature very strongly at ITB Berlin in 2012. The agreement between the leading trade fair for the worldwide travel industry and its partner country, Egypt, was officially signed on 1 July 2010 by the Egyptian Tourist Authority and ITB Berlin.

“As an all-year-round destination Egypt occupies a firm place in world-wide tourism”, says managing director Tamer Marzouk. “The ITB Berlin provides the ideal platform for presenting Egypt on the German market and on international markets as a holiday destination with a wide choice of tourism attractions, and for continuing to develop our top position as one of the most popular holiday destinations. Egypt is also becoming more firmly established as a MICE destination, another sector in which the ITB Berlin provides the ideal setting in which to strengthen contacts with representatives of the international meetings and events industry.”

Egypt’s increased presence at ITB Berlin 2011 gives a clear indication: the land of the Pharaohs is for the first time presenting its current tourism potential in its entirety in a single hall. Egypt’s move from Hall 21 b to Hall 23 b is also accompanied by a three-fold increase in the size of its display area. At the next ITB Berlin international trade visitors and the general public will be able to find out more about Egypt’s attractions as a travel destination on an area of 1,960 square metres, compared with the previous stand area of “only” 588 square metres. This makes the land of the Pyramids one of the largest exhibitors at the world’s leading travel trade show.

David Ruetz, Senior Manager, ITB Berlin: “Egypt is one of the world’s oldest travel destinations and nowadays it combines modernity and tradition. A culture that goes back thousands of years, exciting desert areas, the Nile and endless beaches make this country one of the world’s most attractive holiday destinations. Egypt’s tourism industry continues to develop and, among the destinations preferred by German travellers, it is one of the countries reporting the highest growth rates. Its diversity of tourism attractions ranges from high quality hotels in every price range to excellent value for money offers in areas such as golf, diving, desert tours, health tourism and wellness, as well as cultural trips and city tours.”

Being the partner country, Egypt will be organizing the opening ceremonies of ITB Berlin 2012 on 6 March 2012 at the International Congress Center (ICC) Berlin, and will also be presenting various cultural events and culinary delights during the fair.