Middle Eastern exhibitors are out in force at ITB Berlin 2015

The prospects are excellent for ITB Berlin 2015, as final preparations are being made for the 49th edition of the show.

More than 10,000 exhibitors from around 190 countries and regions will be presenting their innovative products and services in the 26 display halls on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds.

Over 100,000 trade visitors are expected to attend the world’s largest travel trade show in order find out about all the tourism industry’s products and services at this year’s event.

The focus is on the partner country Mongolia which will be organising the opening ceremonies on the eve of ITB Berlin and will be represented in several halls at the show.

A Mongolian yurt will welcome visitors at the south entrance to the grounds. In Hall 26 visitors can find out about the wide range of travel products from the country’s stand which occupies a larger area than last year.

They can also find out about sustainable tourism in Mongolia in Hall 4.1.

Martin Buck, director of the Competence Centre Travel & Logistics, Messe Berlin, said: “Due to political and economic events such as the conflict in Ukraine and the financial crisis many destinations around the world are facing new challenges.

“Against this backdrop ITB Berlin has become an important networking platform and marketing instrument for exhibitors and trade visitors.

“As the world’s leading travel trade show it accurately reflects economic developments in this sector.”

Demand for places from the Arab states has been extremely high and unable to be fulfilled in every case. Halls 5.2a and 5.2b were booked up at an early stage.

India is among the countries occupying an entire hall again.

Afghanistan is making its return to ITB Berlin.

Bangladesh and Gilgit-Baltistan, a hiking destination in Pakistan, are newcomers to the show.

Iran is becoming increasing popular as a tourism destination and for the first time has its own Hall - 7.2a.

As in 2013 at ITB Berlin, Asian countries are well represented in the display halls, with the exception of Russia which has reported a few cancellations due to the weak rouble.

The Central Asian countries, previously in Hall 7.2a, have now moved to Hall 2.1, alongside Russia and the USA.

Brazil and Argentina, where tourism is booming, are increasingly making their way onto the market and this year are represented in larger numbers than at any previous ITB Berlin.

Brazil can be found in three separate locations: in Hall 4.1 (Eco Tourism, Adventure Travel), Hall 3.1 (LGBT) and with a large combined national display in Hall 1.1.

Visitors can find out more about Argentina on the country’s stand in Hall 1.1 as well as in the LGBT section in Hall 3.1.

Exhibitors from Africa are also strongly represented in all areas at the fair.