ITB Berlin: World's biggest travel fair opens its doors for business

Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj has opened the 49th edition of the ITB in Berlin, the world’s biggest and most influential travel fair.

Mongolia is this year’s partner nation and offers would-be tourists the slogan“Nomadic by Nature”.

Astrid Zand is an ITB organiser: “Last year, we had a turnover of over €6bn. This year newly-created speed dating between buyers and sellers will hopefully help us raise this number substantially. We hope that this can boost the business of our exhibitors.”

The event is well-attended with more than 10,000 exhibitors from 186 countries presenting the very latest trends in global tourism.

Make no mistake this is big business, especially for a country like Malaysia.

Dr. Ong Hong Peng, is from Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism: “Tourism is the second largest foreign exchange earner in Malaysia. Last year, we managed to attract 27.4 million tourists to Malaysia.”

Tourism junkies are always on the lookout for fresh and exotic locations and this gi