In 2016 the focus at ITB Berlin will be on the Maldives, the show’s partner country in the Indian Ocean.

Head of ITB Berlin, David Ruetz, confirmed an agreement between the trade show and the Maldives would be signed at a ceremony at the upcoming ITB in Berlin next March.

“As a year-round holiday destination the Maldives has become firmly established among tourists the world over,” said Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Gafoor, minister of tourism, Maldives.

“ITB Berlin offers an ideal platform for presenting the tourism products for the Maldives that are available on the German and international market to trade visitors and the general public and for the country to become even more attractive in the long term.”

The Maldives only began receiving tourists in 1972. It is currently one of the world’s most successful holiday destinations on the modern eco-tourism market and every year welcomes around one million visitors.

The Maldives is well known for its spectacular beauty, its nature and for its fascinating world of underwater attractions.

The island nation on the equator is a paradise for divers from all over the world and can be visited at any time of year, as due to its geographical location temperatures range from 28 to 31 degrees the whole year round.

“The Maldives has exhibited at ITB Berlin since 1984.

“We are delighted that it wants to expand its presence at the show and that as the Official Partner Country it will be the focus of the international travel industry.

“As the partner country of ITB Berlin 2016 this island nation in the Indian Ocean sends out an important message as an emergent tourist destination,” said Ruetz.

As the partner country of ITB Berlin 2016 the Maldives will organise the opening ceremony on March 8th 2016 in the CityCube Berlin, Messe Berlin’s new trade fair and conference venue.