Messe Berlin has adjusted its concept for ITB Berlin 2022 due to developments surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
The company said in a statement that the in-person edition of ITB Berlin 2022 will not take place as originally planned – the convention will instead be livestreamed with Digital Business Day taking place in March 2022.
In-person ITB Berlin satellite events will also take place in 2022, with the theme “Resilience, Digitisation and Sustainability”.
Messe Berlin said it is unable to afford its exhibitors and partners the necessary planning certainty with the holding of an in-person ITB Berlin in early March.
Martin Ecknig, CEO of Messe Berlin said, “Naturally, we examined the possibility of postponing ITB Berlin until summer. However, after consulting with our partners we decided to retain the dates in early March.
“These are important for the travel industry, as the summer months are the main period for travel and tourism operations. The annual dates of ITB Berlin are deliberately chosen, as our customers mostly do business now or around March.
“For this reason we are strengthening the digital elements of ITB Berlin at the ITB Berlin Convention and Digital Business Day. We are doing everything to support a travel industry hard-hit by the pandemic and in 2022 are planning a series of additional services and events in virtual and in-person formats.”
David Ruetz, head of ITB Berlin said, “We deeply regret this situation,”. “As the organisers, we made every effort to make it possible to hold ITB Berlin as an in-person event again in the German capital. Particularly in these times, the industry needs orientation, inspiration and dialogue.
“However, after taking the situation surrounding the pandemic and the tightening of rules into account, it leaves us with no option but to further adjust the concept for 2022 and offer our exhibitors and visitors a clear picture and the necessary planning certainty before the Christmas break.
“With the livestreamed convention and Digital Business Day as well as our new regional travel events during the year, we are offering the industry a wide range of fascinating content and new business opportunities in 2022.”
Daily updates on the new concept will be available from January at itb.com. For information on the subjects of cancellation, new conditions of participation, ticketing and the Digital Business Day please refer to the FAQs.
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