The economic situation in the United States and Canada is improving and with it has come a renewed increase in foreign trips in 2014. People in North America travelled more often than last year and stayed longer at their destinations, with stays of more than four overnights increasing by eight per cent.

Gay and lesbian travel is one of the fastest-growing markets in the international travel industry. Ever since 2010 ITB Berlin has grouped all the relevant providers on an attractive combined display in order to focus attention on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender tourism. The Gay & Lesbian Travel Pavilion in the centrally located entrance area in front of the Caribbean Hall 3.1b, now showcases the world’s largest range of LGBT tourism products at any trade fair.

Once again, visitors to this year’s ITB Berlin will be able to obtain useful information about the Danube. The market for tourism on the river that has more countries bordering it than any other has grown enormously. Every year the regions on the Danube attract millions of tourists, from its source in Germany all the way to the Black Sea.

Oman Air’s iconic white exhibition stand will this week be the focus for a wide range of industry meetings, media interviews and authentic Arabian hospitality, as the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman participates in ITB Berlin 2015. As the airline prepares to launch new services to Singapore, Goa and Dhaka from later this month, it aims to use the platform that ITB offers to raise awareness of Oman Air’s ever-expanding network of exciting international destinations, as well as the warm welcome and outstanding range of attractions that Oman offers for every visitor.

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.

Cyber attacks, the sharing economy, luxury, lifestyle, budget hotels, digitisation and internet distribution are the topics at the 10th ITB Hospitality Day – admission is free for visitors to ITB Berlin