4 12:45 7.1A ORANGE STAGE JOSCHKA FISCHER ON GEOPOLITICS Amid the Middle East crisis, former German foreign minister Joschka Fischer discusses geopolitical shifts, the new world order and the implications for tourism. 15:35 7.1A ORANGE STAGE LEAD TOURISM INTO BALANCE Industry leaders discuss top challenges facing global tourism: how to create a balance between tourism and sustainability; how to foster peace, resilience and prosperity. GULF WAR IMPACTS 30,000 GERMANS STRANDED At least 30,000 Germans are currently stranded in the Gulf region due to the Iran conflict, according to the German Travel Association (DRV). This figure includes holidaymakers in Dubai, Qatar, Abu Dhabi and other destinations as well as passengers due to fly via hubs in the region and now stranded at airports. The German government has ruled out a large-scale repatriation as a last resort. But it hopes to fly out ill people, children and pregnant women via Saudi Arabia and Oman. A government crisis team is now working closely with the DRV, TUI, Lufthansa and other travel firms to coordinate safe transportation. Meanwhile, tour operators have cancelled all bookings to the region. Strong momentum for the entire travel industry MEESE BERLIN today Interview with ITB Director Deborah Rothe Deborah Rothe has been Exhibition Director of ITB Berlin since 2023. OLIVER GRAUE What kind of momentum do you hope to see from ITB 2026? I hope to see strong momentum for the entire travel industry, especially through international best practices in areas such as AI use, CSR, mar- International exchange is particularly important in times of geopolitical tension. ITB offers a reliable platform for maintaining dialogue, sharing perspectives, and developing solutions together. With its many years of experience, it responds flexibly to developments and creates a stable basis for partnerships and debates. You have now been in office for three years. How has your vision for ITB changed? ITB Berlin has long been more than a three-day trade show it is a year-round platform for the global tourism industry, and I am actively driving this change. With ITB 360, podcasts, interviews, specialist articles, the ITB Travel & Tourism Report, and the Global Travel Buyer Index, we deliver content throughout the year. A year-round platform for the global tourism industry keting, destination management, and contemporary consumer engagement. International best practices show how markets deal with challenges and which solutions have proven successful. How does ITB remain a global industry gathering despite many crises and wars? AI, polycrises and more ITB CONVENTION 200 sessions, 17 tracks, 400 experts, four stages. Leading Tourism into Balance. Under this theme, the ITB Convention discusses how tourism can be shaped and renewed. Speakers will include Joschka Fischer, former German Foreign Minister, and Airbnbs co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk. Moreover, there is firsthand experience and insider knowledge in 17 themed tracks on four stages. Top executives from global companies including Expedia, Google and Microsoft will provide practical information on current strategies and projects What motivates you personally in 2026? I am motivated by the combination of global reach, personal exchange, and concrete added value for the travel industry. Personal encounters remain at the heart of ITB Berlin. With further internationalization, the premiere of ITB Americas, and a focus on future topics, we are actively shaping ITB. What are your personal ITB highlights for 2026? For me, it is very special to celebrate 60 years of ITB Berlin together with the industry and to welcome our guest country Angola. I am particularly looking forward to the exhibition Destination Europe: A Journey in Posters: tourism posters show how Europe has inspired travellers across generations. that will shape the world of travel in the long term. For example, in the Future Track, leading voices from politics, business, science and technology will discuss how the travel industry can master the challenges of AI, polycrises and global upheavals between innovation, sustainability and resilience. All events can also be followed via livestream on the ITB Navigator. Afterwards, the sessions will be available on the Youtube channel of ITB Berlin. DAY 1 3 MARCH 2026 THE ITB NEWSPAPER 60TH ANNIVERSARY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ITB BERLIN! Suddenly under fire: Destinations such as Dubai used to be perceived as safe. PIX123.DE/DAVID VASICEK ITB Berlin is celebrating its 60th anniversary with new innovative formats. But there is also space for nost #fvwkongress All information can be found here! 15. / 16. SEPTEMBER 2026 PENTAHOTEL LEIPZIG Your Gateway to Global Travel Insight Join as Partner, Sponsor, or Attendee. Partner performed by 3 3 Dear ITB Visitor, ITB Berlin has been affected by the impacts of many international conflicts as well as natural catastrophes and not least a pandemic over the course of its 60 years. This year is no different. The attacks on Iran by the USA FVW MEDIEN/MAJ and Israel have already had many con 4 12:45 7.1A ORANGE STAGE JOSCHKA FISCHER ON GEOPOLITICS Amid the Middle East crisis, former German foreign minister Joschka Fischer discusses geopolitical shifts, the new world order and the implications for tourism. 15:35 7.1A ORANGE STAGE LEAD TOURISM INTO BALANCE Industry leaders discuss top 6 WEAK JANUARY BUT NO SLUMP German holiday bookings weakened in January against a strong previous year, the latest monthly figures from Travel Data + Analytics (TDA) showed. Although January is traditionally the strongest holiday sales month of the year, booked travel revenues for summer 2026 were 7 Germany, 42% plan to travel elsewhere in Europe, 20% to other continents, and 13% are still undecided. Within Europe, Spain continues to lead, followed by Italy, Scandinavia, Turkey, Greece, France, Austria, and Croatia. BAT SURVEY Germans are travelling more than they have in 20 years and tra 8 A step onto the big stage CONSUMER TRENDS AI TOOLS ENTER TRAVEL SEARCH More Germans are using AI tools to research travel but the technology does not play a significant role in booking travel yet, according to a survey by RTK, Germanys biggest travel agency cooperation. This found that 14% of r 9 Not only leisure travel OLIVER GRAUE The Business Lounge will be the meeting place for everyone involved in business travel on all days of the ITB. Travel managers can talk to industry colleagues here, as well as to the 18 exhibiting providers. On 3 and 4 March, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., the Home 10 Organised travel grows faster GERMAN AIRLINES CAPACITY CUTS FOR ALGARVE The Algarve, the top holiday destination in Portugal for Germans, is seeing capacity cuts as Condor withdraws and TUIfly scales back. Eurowings, however, is adding seats. Condor cites the financial viability of these route 11 The results show that Germans are still keen to travel in 2026, despite economic uncertainties. They want to travel but they want to plan well and focus clearly on value for money, safety and comfort. This is a good sign for suppliers at home and abroad, says Sören Hartmann, President of the Fe