There is a particular energy that comes with a first appearance, and at ITB Berlin, that sense of anticipation surrounds Abu Dhabi‑headquartered STORY Hospitality as it steps onto the world’s leading travel trade stage for the very first time. Among the familiar names and long‑established exhibitors, STORY Hospitality arrives with a fresh narrative—one shaped by contemporary Middle Eastern hospitality and a clear ambition to connect with a global audience.

Under the bright lights of ITB Berlin—one of the world’s most influential tourism fairs—Lanzarote is making its presence felt with quiet confidence and a clear sense of purpose. This is not an island content to simply sell sunshine and scenery. Instead, Lanzarote arrives in the German capital with a compelling message: the future of travel must be thoughtful, climate-conscious, and regenerative—and this Atlantic island has been living that philosophy for decades.

Despite growing global tensions, Germans are spending more on travel than ever before. At the opening of ITB Berlin 2026 on Monday, Albin Loidl, President of the German Travel Association (DRV), gave a positive assessment of 2025 in travel. He also looked ahead to the coming summer with optimism. Holidaymakers were booking earlier and placing greater emphasis on safety and quality, said Loidl. With regard to the current developments in Iran, he stated that the situation was being monitored with great concern.

The ITB Travel & Tourism Report 2026/2027 shows that the mood in the industry is optimistic, but that strategic preparation often lags behind the challenges of an increasingly complex world. According to data from the market research institute Phocuswright, the European and US travel markets are largely saturated. Speaking at the opening of ITB Berlin 2026 on Monday, Mitra Sorrells, CEO of the US institute said that despite this, she expected global annual growth of around 5.3 per cent until at least 2027. The driving forces were India and Latin America.

On the day before the start of ITB Berlin 2026, the global travel industry turns its attention to the German capital for three days. From 3 to 5 March, on its sixtieth anniversary, the World’s Leading B2B Travel Trade Show gathers nearly 6,000 exhibitors from more than 160 countries, underscoring its role as the main marketplace for international dialogue, economic prospects and strategic tourism issues of the future.

There are destinations that whisper their appeal, and then there is Jamaica—an island that speaks in rhythm, colour, and warmth long before you arrive. From the moment the trade winds carry the scent of salt and spice, Jamaica announces itself not simply as a place on the map, but as a feeling: vibrant, soulful, and endlessly alive. This spirit travelled far beyond the Caribbean this year, finding its way to the heart of Europe at ITB Berlin, where Jamaica’s tourism presence felt less like an exhibition stand and more like an open invitation. In a hall buzzing with global possibility, the island stood out not by shouting, but by moving—through music, storytelling, and the unmistakable pulse of its culture.