Ralf Kunkel, Head of Press, Berlin Brandenburg Airport, speaks to Breaking Travel News at ITB Berlin 2013.

Sarah Friedrich, Sales Manager, Leisure, A-ROSA Resorts & Hideaways, speaks to Breaking Travel News at ITB Berlin 2013.

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.