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 5% below the prior years level. But TDA stressed this does not mean travel demand is falling. Rather, it results from an unusually strong early booking trend one year ago. The underlying trend remains strong with summer 2026 revenues up by 7% on last year on a cumulative basis. FVW MEDIEN/HMJ 60 years old and younger than ever! The jubilee ITB presents itself more digital, more international, more networked. OVERVIEW New networking formats, expected record attendance and a clear message: how ITB is presenting itself this year on its 60th birthday. SOUTH AFRICA TRENDS SUNNY TIMES FOR RAINBOW NATION OLIVER GRAUE South Africa attracted more overseas visitors last year, including strong growth from Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Nearly 2.4 million travellers from outside Africa visited the Rainbow Nation in 2025. The number of arrivals from Germany rose by 14% to 291,000. This was topped only by the UK and the USA, South African Tourism (SAT) figures show. The country has 48 exhibitors at ITB. Hall 20/201 ITB Berlin is celebrating its 60th birthday this year with a trade fair that is almost fully booked. More than 160 countries are represented, some with a larger stand area than in 2025. SOUTH AFRICA TOURISM Blyde River Canyon is a great place to find happiness. Health, well-being and prevention are among the segments whose growth is reflected at ITB. This international segment will be presented in Hall 4.1, including a stage programme on the trending topic of longevity. More than 50 exhibitors from 27 countries will also be presenting their resource-saving travel offerings in Hall 4.1. The Lighthouse Stage will focus on adventure travel, wildlife viewing, cycling, astro and geo tourism. Where innovation meets nostalgia TDA SALES FIGURES The motto Discover the stories behind 60 years of legacy is intended to combine a look back with a look ahead including an after-work party and new handson activities. In addition, there is an exhibition of iconic European tourism posters in Hub27. But nostalgia is only the framework. In terms of content, ITB presents itself as a platform in transition: more digital, more international, more networked. One of the most striking new elements is the ITB Späti in Hall 7.2c inspired by Berlin's famous neighbourhood shops which are open (almost) 24/7. It offers space for networking: with an open stage and pitches. Unlike the real Spätis, however, it closes at 6 p.m. Several countries are celebrating their comeback. Bhutan is represented again for the first time since 2019, and Benin was last there in 2014. Martinique, Trinidad & Tobago and Nicaragua are also returning after short breaks. The African Travel Hub in Hall 21 with mini-counters will become a central point of contact. Exhibitors such as the ITB host country Angola (see page 8), the Chinese online portal Trip.com, Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia have larger stand areas. Thailand remains the largest exhibitor in the Asia Hall 26. Morocco is moving to Hall 2.1 to join Spain partly because of the jointly organised 2030 Football World Cup. A total of six halls will be dedicated to travel tech this time a record. From Amadeus to Travelsoft, from payment innovations to housekeeping tools, from startups to global platforms: the industry will show how digitalisation is changing processes and enabling new business models. This will be complemented by two new knowledge formats at the convention: ITB Deep Dives, compact, practical sessions for decision-makers, and ITB Tech Time, which will provide concentrated technological knowledge. The Home of Luxury in the Palais am Funkturm is also in greater demand than in previous years. Halls 12 to 17, on the other hand, remain closed for renovation. Hall 8.1 is fully booked with hotel technology providers. Hall 25 will showcase the booming cruise sector. River cruise providers have also increased their presence. Artificial intelligence is also a major topic at ITB. The E-Travel Stage in Hall 6.1 will be the central stage for discussions on this topic. With the ITB Innovators platform, the Berlin trade fair is also bringing together exhibitors AI projects for the first time. The ITB Navigator provides digital support for preparation and appointment scheduling. For the first time, the app offers an overview of confirmed and declined appointments and enables visitors to capture contacts directly by scanning. 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