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 respondents use AI for travel inspiration, recommendations or research. Internet search engines remain the most important research tool. But Thomas Bösl, Managing Director of RTK, stressed: The fact that around one in seven people already use AI for initial inspiration is a clear signal. He expects this trend to intensify in future. GETTY IMAGES GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO Shaped by wind and rain: the rocky landscape of Miradouro da Lua in southern Angola. Ethnic groups such as the Mucubal tribe shape Angolas diverse culture. ANGOLA The ITB host country has only played a minor role in tourism, with a modest number of international visitors. That is set to change. MARTIN JÜRS NEW CEO EXPANSION FOR SUN EXPRESS The numbers are modest: only around half a dozen small German tour operators currently offer trips to Angola. These are often in combination with neighbouring Namibia. In addition to smaller specialists such as Adventure Offroad and Trails Reisen, mediumsized tour operators such as Abendsonne Afrika, Diamir Erlebnisreisen, Geoplan, Hauser Exkursionen and Marco Polo are also active in the destination. SUN EXPRESS German-Turkish leisure airline Sun Express has gained a new CEO, Marcus Schnabel, is expanding its fleet and will launch new code-share routes with Eurowings. Nine new Boeing 737-8 planes have joined the fleet over the past year. The Eurowings code-share agreement has grown from five to 13 routes. Overall, Sun Express increased passenger numbers by 7% to 16 million in 2025. Sun Express has nine new Boeing 737-8s in its fleet. Dertour is also getting involved. The second-largest German tour operator will soon be offering a Namibia-Angola combination as a guided group tour with camping from the programme of specialist Drifters Erlebnisreisen. The first trips will start in May 2026. This is entirely in line with the wishes of Tourism Minister Márcio Daniel: the range of products on offer and the number of tour operators selling the destination are set to grow significantly in the coming years. Angola wants to put itself on the international tourism map and has its sights set on Germany in particular. To this end, the country is busy promoting itself and seeking contact with the local travel industry. In January, Angola was already a partner country at CMT in Stuttgart, which is the largest travel fair for consumers in Germany. Now it is the official host country of ITB Berlin 2026. Under the motto The Rhythm of Life part of the brand identity newly developed last year Angola wants to present itself in Berlin as an authentic destination for explorers, nature lovers and culture enthusiasts. And here, the country which is about three and a half times the size of Germany but has only half the population actually has a lot to offer. Angola has a wide variety of landscapes, from rainforest to a long coastline and high plateaus to desert in the southern part of the country, which borders Namibia. In addition, there is a rich variety of wildlife, including the Big Five, and even gorillas can be observed. However, in order to present all this and more to a wider audience, substantial investment is still needed. According to Diamir Managing Director Jörg Ehrlich, there is a particular need for more accommodation outside the capital Luanda. The countrys transport infrastructure and international connections also have room for improvement. From Germany, Lufthansa currently flies directly from Frankfurt to Luanda several times a week. Other options include connecting flights with Lufthansa subsidiary Brussels, TAP Air Portugal and Air France-KLM. In any case, the Angolan government is willing to invest heavily in the tourism sector. It recently approved €449 million in funding for infrastructure development in key tourist regions of the country. The funds are to be used, for example, to develop Cabo Ledo on the edge of Quiçama National Park and to create a long coastal tourist corridor. Hall 21/112 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