ITB Berlin kicked off this week, with some 100,000 trade visitors attending the world’s largest travel trade show.
Running from 4 to 8 March 2015, this year, the show is being held in 26 halls filled with 10,096 exhibitors from 186 countries.
On the weekend members of the general public will also be allowed to enter the halls to book their holidays directly with exhibitors.
The world comes together in Berlin.
In 2015, the focus is on Mongolia, the official partner country of the show to showcase the potential market of niche tourism. 30 exhibitors from the country have attended, many of which are exhibiting for the first time.
As well as meeting and socialising, the event also offers a sharing economy, where seven events will be highlighting the challenges and the prospects for the tourism industry.
Mongolia is the official partner this year to showcase the potential of niche tourism.
The ITB Future Day will be debating the future of commercial aviation and of the online travel market and at the ITB Hospitality Day sessions experts will be highlighting the security problems that hotel managers must look out for.
Newcomers include the Turkish Village – a large display of Turkey. Poland has a new stand concept concentrating on displaying new products.
Traditional Bavarian dresses and drinks come out at ITB Berlin.
Around 45 exhibitors are representing the Netherlands at ITB Berlin covering 280 square metres, larger than in any previous year.
And the Benelux countries have united to showcase Belgium, Flanders, the Netherlands, and for the first time Luxembourg.
Slovania attracts a number of visitors with its unique set up.
Demand by exhibitors from the Arab countries and Asia is high this year, reflecting the growing popularity of these destinations for travellers.
Iran is becoming an increasingly popular cultural destination and for the first time is occupying an entire hall at ITB Berlin.
For the first time, Iran occupies an entire hall at the event.
India is among the countries occupying an entire hall again and Afghanistan is making its return to ITB Berlin.
Brazil and Argentina, where tourism is booming, are increasingly making their way onto the market and this year are represented in larger numbers than at any previous ITB Berlin.