Michael Howe-Davies, director, aferry.com speaks to Breaking Travel News at ITB Berlin 2013.

ITB Berlin 2013 has reaffirmed its place as the largest meeting place for international tourism policy decision-makers and business leaders in the world. German chancellor Angela Merkel, Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, representatives of the World Tourism Organisation, the Pacific Asia Travel Association and the World Travel & Tourism Council, as well as more than 100 ministers of tourism and state secretaries, met in Berlin to help shape the future for growth in the tourism industry.

10,086 exhibitors from 188 countries – exhibition grounds booked up – record number of two-tier stands – 120 exhibitors representing the partner country Indonesia – comprehensive market overview and fast-growing niche markets – first-time matchmaking event for bloggers and record numbers of bloggers – Travel Technology, Gay & Lesbian Travel and Adventure & Sustainable Travel continue to expand – demand from Asia remains high – all countries from Africa represented in two display halls – all countries from South America are present – unprecedented levels of international attendance at the tenth anniversary edition of the ITB Berlin Convention

Good preparation reaps rewards. In order to make it easier for travel and event managers to organise their schedule ITB Berlin has compiled a list of exhibitors of especial interest to business travel decision-makers. Listed under the label of Business Travel Partners at ITB Berlin, some 100 companies from around the world have now registered. They include carriers, hotel chains and technology companies.

The ITB Berlin CareerCenter is the ideal springboard for career starters and experienced professionals to find the new job of their dreams in the tourism industry. From 6 to 10 March 2013 the Berlin Exhibition Grounds will once again be the meeting place of the international travel industry. Anyone interested in a tourism industry career can find out about the latest job vacancies and meet representatives of leading hotel chains, cruise companies and tour operators in Hall 5.1. At the ITB Job Exchange visitors can meet with personnel managers and apply for the job of their dreams on the spot.

For visitors interested in the latest from the worlds of mobile travel services, social networking and blogging the eTravel World at ITB Berlin is the place to be to obtain in-depth web knowledge. From 6 to 9 March 2013 the focus in Hall 7.1c is on social networking sites, online marketing and optimising search engines.