The world’s leading travel trade show has opened with a breath-taking opening ceremony taking guests on a trip to the Maldives.

Visitors from this year’s partner country performed a medley of lively folk dances, songs and music, and offered visitors an insight into the many aspects of its culture.

The ceremony took place in the CityCube Berlin.

Numerous celebrities representing politics and the tourism industry addressed the audience.

Sunshine, beaches and the sea – at the opening ceremony revealed the unique atmosphere of the Maldives with over 60 artists performing in a musical will tell the story of ‘odi or dhoni’, a wooden boat or ship.

The audience can follow the boat’s various stages: keel laying, building of the hull and finally the launch.

The elaborate stage performances provided an insight into the history, culture and way of life in the Maldives.

Around 4,000 guests can follow 50 years of ITB Berlin in a film that tells the story of the tourism trade show along with landmark events in the history of the international travel industry.