Greece Ready for ITB Berlin 2018 Tourism Expo

For five days, Greece will exhibit its tourism offerings at the ITB Berlin in Germany, one of the world’s leading travel trade shows. ITB Berlin 2018 will be taking place from Wednesday, 7 to Sunday, 11 March.

At the 52nd edition of the trade show around 10,000 tourism companies from 186 countries and regions will be represented on an area covering 160,000 square meters at the Messe Berlin fairgrounds. This year organizers expect more than 100,000 international trade visitors seeking prosperous business opportunities as well as many thousand members of the public on the weekend, who will be able to find inspiration for their next trip.

Greek stand – Hall 1.1/101, 101A

The Greek National tourism Organization (GNTO) and its co-exhibitors — Greek regions, hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, etc. — are inviting all to visit the Greek stand in Hall 1.1/101, 101A and get acquainted with the country’s holiday destinations and tourism products.

Visitors to the Greek stand this year will have the opportunity to sample the country’s gastronomy and regional products.

Representatives from various Greek municipalities and regions will be available to inform professionals and visitors on the tourism options offered by their destinations.

Tourism Minister Kountoura has full agenda at ITB 2018

On the occasion of ITB, Tourism Minister Elena Kountoura will visit Berlin where she will attend scheduled meetings with the country’s major tour operators, ariline companies, German journalists and Greek media correspondents.

Judging by her recent statements, Minister Kountoura is confident on the country’s tourism course this year. According to data from the GNTO, bookings to Greece for the 2018 season are seeing an impressive increase compared to last year to the tune of an increase of 15 to 30 percent from traditional and new markets. Arrivals to Greece in 2017 recorded a nine percent increase, reaching 30 million for the first time.

Regarding the German market specifically, reports have confirmed that Greece should expect another record of arrivals of German tourists in 2018.

According to a recent survey by GfK, conducted on behalf of the German Travel Association (DRV), following an impressive 30 percent increase in German arrivals last year, it is estimated that Greece this summer will have a strong double-digit growth from Germany.

Moreover, Minister Kountoura will attend the 8th UNWTO Silk Road Ministers Meeting on Wednesday. Supported by Messe Berlin, the Silk Road Program’s most senior annual meeting will focus on the “2025 Silk Road Tourism Agenda”; that is Member States’ long-term tourism vision for the historic Silk Road routes.

The UNWTO’s newly-appointed Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, ministers and heads of national tourism administrations will share their main ideas and strategies as to how fully realize the goals of establishing the Silk Road as the most important transnational tourism route of the 21st century.

To see the Greek companies and destinations participating in ITB Berlin 2018, press here.

GTP will be at ITB Berlin 2018. Updates can be found through our special ITB Berlin 2018 section.