ITB

Good vibes at the first trade visitor fair

It took a long time for the tourism industry to get back into each other's arms in Berlin, and expectations were all the greater in the run-up to the first ITB live event since 2019. Most hopes were not disappointed, but there were a whole series of changes that some participants welcomed enthusiastically, while others criticized. This is probably why this year's ITB deliberately opened under the motto "Open for Change", and indeed many things were different at the legendary travel trade fair. However, there was clearly a very positive mood among all participants.

Despite many new competing events in the tourism industry, there was a sense of relief and joy in all the halls that Europe's largest tourism exhibition was taking place. With 90,000 participants from over 180 countries, the ITB was certainly impressive after a three-year break: After this successful "dress rehearsal", it remains exciting to see whether ITB 2024 will return to its pre-pandemic size. Connoisseur Circle was on site with a large team and took a look for itself.

New exhibition pavilion: Home of Luxury

Even before the pandemic, the presence of luxury suppliers had already weakened: this was one of the reasons why the "Home of Luxury" was conceived in 2020 with the aim of offering an exclusive setting for luxury exhibitors and buyers. Small and refined in an exclusive setting, the luxury sector was to be offered its own exhibition pavilion for networking. As the ITB was canceled at short notice in March 2020 due to the pandemic, it took another three years for the Home of Luxury (HOL) to actually become a reality. The Marshall Haus was generally an excellent choice for this, in our opinion, as it is centrally located in the middle of the exhibition grounds and is easy to reach from the halls to the north and south. The listed building also stands out impressively among the surrounding exhibition halls.

HOL - ITB innovation with upward potential

The interior of the building also has it all: the light-flooded ambience offers a very natural, lounge-like atmosphere thanks to the free-floating staircase that leads to an open gallery, while meter-high window fronts on two sides allow views of the exhibition grounds. So far, so ingenious. When it came to the furnishings, it might have been possible to dig a little deeper into the trade fair construction and decoration budget, but the communication between the organizer and the exhibitors was a major problem: many registered participants were not clear until the end who would really be taking part in the "Home of Luxury" and how the announced "pre-scheduled appointments" were to take place. In the end, these did not take place at all. The participants who had organized their own appointments in advance and invited their partners and customers directly to the Home of Luxury were therefore particularly happy. This included the entire CC team and other exhibitors, who were able to avoid the strict door policy. Because only those who were able to present an appointment with a supplier were actually admitted.

Blessing for some, disappointment for others

Our self-organized CC appointments went very well, because for us and our partners such as the
LUX* Resorts, the MarBella Collection, the NUMO Resorts or the Pulse Collection
in the Maldives, it was a blessing to be able to have good conversations in an atmospheric and quiet atmosphere and escape the hustle and bustle of the exhibition halls, at least for a while. What's more, the students of the "Swiss Hotel Management School Lucerne" spoiled us with a friendly and charming drinks service. However, for the exhibitors who relied on the HOL's visitor organization, the event was not ideal: the HOL could have used more guests on all three days of the fair, although visitors to the Asia hall and the Maldives stand at the ITB stepped on each other's toes.


O.l.: Annette Zierer, CC editor-in-chief Simone Dressler, Althaf Mohamed Ali (The Nautilus Maldives) | o.m.: Kiki Baron, Simone Dressler, Michaela Struck von Wins | o.r.CC editors Andreas Dressler and Thomas Wilde | below left: Home of Luxury from the outside | below right: Anna Koppe, Silke Warnke Rehm, Jeremie de Fombelle, Simone Dressler, CEO LUX* Resorts Paul Jones | Home of Luxury interior view

ITB 2023 - A comeback with many innovations

The cancellation of the public days at the new ITB was striking: certainly not a problem for buyers, but some exhibitors refused to take part for this very reason. This novelty polarized like no other and many Berliners and eager local cab drivers, as we learned, had not even noticed that the popular ITB weekend would no longer take place. The ITB will probably have to reposition itself in some areas: It is not foreseeable that the large luxury hotel chains will occupy Hall 9 again in the future. But the Home of Luxury certainly has great potential for niche luxury providers and buyers. In any case, we at Connoisseur Circle are looking forward to finding a good place to network in this beautiful setting again next year - in a pleasant atmosphere.

ITB evening events: fewer but high-caliber

Evening events were much sparser than at previous ITBs. But is it any wonder that some suppliers first had to scout out the "new" ITB to make sure it was worth the effort? Even we connoisseurs did not hold our popular Hospitality Awards Gala in Berlin this year. Nevertheless, a few very exclusive events made the rounds. On Monday evening, the
Dominican Republic
invited guests to a high-profile road show at the Adlon Kempinski, which was even attended by Tourism Minister David Collado himself. No wonder: thanks to a clever entry policy and the perfect marketing performance of Director Petra Cruz and her team in the DACH region, the Caribbean island was even able to increase the number of guests arriving from Europe compared to 2019. Similarly professional during the pandemic, the
Maldives
acted: The country was open to incoming travelers as early as summer 2020. At that time, mandatory PCR tests could be carried out effortlessly at the international airport or, in some cases, free of charge at the island resorts. Many industry insiders therefore consider the Maldives to be the most successful "pandemic winner". The Maldives event on Wednesday evening of ITB, which was attended by Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations, Thoyyib Mohamed and Tourism Minister H.E. Dr. Abdulla Mausoom, who made a personal appearance in the Grand Hyatt Ballroom to celebrate the island nation's tourism success, was filled with hundreds of attendees and applauding partners.

Things were less formal on Tuesday evening at the
Kempinski kitchen party at the Adlon
CEO Bernold Schroeder and the Kempinski team brought out all the guns for the best networking entertainment: With good live music, the tasty Altona caviar from Hamburg and the oyster stand in particular ensured many fans. Afterwards, many went to the networking party in the
Capitol Club
to which the founders Silvio Rebmann (Cube Travel) and Astrid Oberhummer (Lobster Experience) had invited.

Relaxed networking was also provided by the
stand party of the Hong Kong Tourism Board
on Wednesday evening in the exhibition hall. Anette Wendel-Menke, Director Central Europe, also drew an extremely positive balance here: "In combination with the latest news regarding the lifting of the mask requirement and the simplified entry regulations, the feedback from the travel industry was consistently positive."


O.l.: Kempinski kitchen party | o.m.: Hong Kong Tourism Board stand party | o.r.: CC Managing Director Zoriana Iurechko with David Collado, Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic | u.l. H.E. Dr. Abdullah Mausoom (center) and Thoyyib Mohamed