ITB Berlin 2022, the in-person event cancelled for third year in a row

ITB Berlin 2022, the in-person event has been canceled by the fair organizers with regard to the escalating Omicron variant situation.  Initially, ITB Berlin 2022 was scheduled to be held in Berlin, Germany from 9-13th March 2022 as an in-person event where visitors could interact face to face.

ITB Berlin is the world’s leading travel trade show making it one of the most important events. The fair attracts a huge number of visitors from all over the world, with more than 10,000 exhibitors from 180 countries and 6 continents. It is an exhibition of networking opportunities, seminars, conferences, workshops to provide solutions, analyze trends; introduce new ideas, favor exchange and innovation.

 “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 “, commented Martin Ecknig, CEO of Messe Berlin.

“We deeply regret this situation “, added David Ruetz, head of ITB Berlin. “As the organizers, 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 live-streamed 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.”

Messe Berlin said that ITB Berlin will return to an in-person format in March 2023.