Only a few weeks before the one of the leading global travel trade shows opens its doors, ITB Berlin has reported impressive booking levels, with almost 90% of the exhibition area now occupied.

The wide range of exhibitors, including a strong increase in exhibitors from the Host Country Oman and other Arab states, as well as from Turkey, Greece, Asia, and Africa, and the mobility, tech, and cruise industries, reflects the global importance of the event.

“Exhibitors returning to the show such as Emirates airline and Liechtenstein, as well as newcomers such as Disney, São Tomé and Principe, and Air India add an extra dynamic to the event,” the organisers of ITB Berlin, Messe Berlin, said in a press release.

Additional highlights include a new focus on German-speaking countries in hub27, new ITB MICE HUB in Hall 8.2, and new ITB Sustainability Lounge in Hall 4.1.

“For ITB Berlin, which takes place from March 5-7, the prospects are excellent in the final run-up to the event. Taking as its slogan #ITBTOGETHER, this year’s exclusive B2B platform once again reflects the tourism industry’s entire value chain,” said a Messe Berlin spokesperson.

To date, exhibitors from 165 countries and territories have confirmed their participation in a total of 27 halls, the Marshall Haus and the Palais am Funkturm, the new home of the ITB Buyers Circle.

Five additional halls will open this year, so that a circular tour of the grounds is possible again.

Halls 20 and 21, which are fully booked, are this year occupied entirely by Africa. Hall 20 is where the stands of the island nations of Mauritius and the Seychelles can be found as well as the French overseas department of Réunion.

South Africa, which is strongly represented, is featured here too, along with Namibia and Zambia, which for the first time occupies a larger stand.

Ethiopia, Uganda and Rwanda will exhibit in Hall 21, which have all increased the size of their stands.