Berlin's ITB (International Tourism Exchange) will include a dedicated business travel section for the first time this year. The move reflects the growing importance of the sector. In Germany alone companies are reckoned to have spent around 52 billion Euros on a total of 147 million business trips in 2004.
Arguably the world's biggest travel show with some 10,000 exhibitors from around 180 countries and regions, it takes place from March 11 - 15. Special packages are available to travel managers. They and their suppliers will be able to use a special lounge in which to meet contacts. The new "corporate marketplace" in Hall 8.1 of the city's sprawling fairgrounds will be open exclusively to registered trade visitors and exhibitors guests. They are being offered cut price admission tickets and discounted fares on Deutsche Bahn (German Railways).
There are three business travel days, on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (March 13, 14 and 15). The last two of those days, when the public is excluded will be the most comfortable time to go.
A parallel programme of business travel seminars includes sessions on trends until the end of the decade, the future of low cost airlines, self booking, the pros and cons of using travel agents and on line travel management.
ITB project manager David Ruetz, said: "The business travel market is undoubtedly one of the driving forces of the travel industry. By providing it with its own exclusive area and a special ambience in a very attractive location our aim is to offer this thriving market the level of attention it deserves."
First time visitors unaware of the vast area covered by the exhibition are advised to take comfortable shoes. A shuttle bus service runs from some hotels but readers may find it quicker to catch the undergrounds (U-Bahn) to either Theodor-Heuss-Platz or Kaiserdamm on Line U2. Further information can be found at www.business-travel.itb-berlin.de. Hotel availability can be checked and bookings made via www.berlin-tourist-information.de.