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ITB Berlin • 9 to 13 March 2016
November 16, 2015
50 years of ITB Berlin: how it all began
The world's leading travel trade show is celebrating its anniversary with 50 trips
around the world – the current head David Ruetz meets Dr. Manfred Busche,
who started ITB Berlin
It is now 50 years since the world's leading travel trade show was launched and
celebrations are under way with a major anniversary campaign. Its slogan is “From
Berlin with Love“. In cooperation with airberlin 50 ambassadors of ITB Berlin are
travelling to 50 destinations around the world where they are meeting 50
representatives, all of whom have interesting, fascinating and unusual stories to tell.
The individual visits to places around the world can be followed by visiting
www.itb50.com, where each week new stories will be published. All of these
encounters will be recorded in a book, to be presented at ITB Berlin 2016.
In order to meet the fair’s visionary founder, without whom ITB Berlin would not exist
today, there was no need for the fair’s current head David Ruetz to travel halfway
around the globe. He stayed at home instead. Dr. Manfred Busche former CEO of
Messe Berlin (1987-1999) now lives in Ketzin near Berlin. In 1966, with the
introduction of the first international tourism exchange, Dr. Busche paved the way for
a success story, one that was “made in Berlin“ and has now spanned 50 years.
When it was first launched it hosted nine exhibitors from five countries and was
attended by only 250 trade visitors. It quickly became the world's leading travel trade
show. The statistics speak for themselves: in 2015 more than 10,000 exhibitors from
186 countries displayed their products and services to around 175,000 visitors. An
interview with the people who made ITB Berlin what it is today:
How did you come up with the idea of launching ITB?
Dr. Manfred Busche: “We thought about the expansion of the exhibition program in
Berlin because we felt something was missing. At first we thought about a hunting
exhibition but we eliminated that thought quickly due to the fact that it had to do with
shooting. Regarding the four-power status in Berlin this seemed illusory. Afterwards,
we came up with the idea of the travel trade show – which made sense.”
Who was critical of the idea of ITB in the beginning?
Dr. Manfred Busche: “In the beginning, ITB was a difficult subject because it
threatened the interests of many. Powerful travel agencies believed that ITB would
harm their business because it would mean a shift of the business. Additionally, the
hoteliers’ opinions were divided; they took a critical stance towards ITB, as they were
against the expansion of the hotel capacity in Berlin. On the other hand, the hoteliers
also appreciated the idea of meeting others from the industry to discuss business.”
What was the biggest success of ITB in the past?
Dr. Manfred Busche: “Talking to the exhibitors about the next ITB meant the greatest
success. “Don’t you want an additional square meter next year? Do you want to be
in this or that exhibition hall?” This is how we knew that the current trade fair was
good but that the next one would be even better.”
Mr. Ruetz, what was the biggest success during your career at ITB?
David Ruetz: “The establishment of the ITB Convention was a major milestone. This
tourism congress, which is attended by experts from almost all tourism sectors
worldwide, is running parallel to the trade fair. Increasing visitor numbers speak for
themselves; the convention can be seen as a “think tank” discussing relevant future
topics of the tourism industry and discovering trends.”
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Press contacts:
Messe Berlin
Michael T. Hofer
Messe Berlin Group Press and
Public Relations Director
https://twitter.com/pr_messeberlin
ITB Berlin / ITB Asia:
Astrid Zand
Press Officer
Messedamm 22
14055 Berlin
phone.: + 49 30 3038-2275
fax: + 49 30 3038-912275
[email protected]
www.messe-berlin.com
Additional information:
www.itb-berlin.com
www.itb-convention.com
Management board:
Dr. Christian Göke (CEO), Dirk
Hoffmann (CFO)
Chairman of the Supervisory
Board: Peter Zühlsdorff
Commercial Register: Amtsgericht
Charlottenburg (District Court)
HRB 5484 B (Commercial Code)
Mr. Ruetz, how do you see the development of ITB in the upcoming years?
David Ruetz: “In times of the Internet and in the digital age, the longing for personal
encounter is increasing. An annual family reunion such as ITB, where you look one
another in the eye and shake hands, is an absolute must. Additionally, I believe that
ITB can grow in other markets due to the strength of the brand, just take a look at ITB
Asia. Finally, I think that ITB can offer and develop additional services, such as
consulting and training. I also have the vision of extending the collective think tank,
consisting of the congress and studies. Ideally, we will be important to the world all
year around, not just five days a year.”
More information and interviews can be found online at www.itb50.com.
In order to request an interview with ambassadors of ITB Berlin please contact
Astrid Zand, [email protected].
Über die ITB Berlin und den ITB Berlin Kongress
Die ITB Berlin 2016 findet von Mittwoch bis Sonntag, 9. bis 13. März, statt. Von
Mittwoch bis Freitag ist die ITB Berlin für Fachbesucher geöffnet. Parallel zur Messe
läuft der ITB Berlin Kongress von Mittwoch bis Samstag, 9. bis 12. März 2016. Er ist
weltweit der größte Fachkongress der Branche. Mehr Informationen sind zu finden
unter www.itb-kongress.de. Die ITB Berlin ist die führende Messe der weltweiten
Reiseindustrie. 2015 stellten 10.096 Aussteller aus 186 Ländern ihre Produkte und
Dienstleistungen rund 175.000 Besuchern, darunter 115.000 Fachbesuchern vor.
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Weiteres Pressematerial finden Sie auch im Presseportal von news aktuell unter:
www.presseportal.de/Messe Berlin.
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