In a joint statement issued today, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) highlight the importance of the cruise sector for the world economy.
According to industry data, the cruise sector supports 1.2 million jobs and contributes US$150 billion to the global economy every year. Tourism is vitally important for Small Islands States, where it sustains millions of livelihoods and brings substantial socio-economic benefits.

After considering all the circumstances, Messe Berlin has decided that ITB Berlin and the ITB Berlin Congress will take place purely digitally from March 9th to 12th, 2021. Since 1966, the travel industry has been meeting face to face every year in March in Berlin – many of you know it like the back of your hand, have countless memories of the annual “class reunion” of the tourism industry and benefit from the business relationships established there. That is why Messe Berlin is sticking to its promise to remain the number 1 platform for successful business, new and grown contacts, inspiration and interaction.

The second lockdown is already a reality: over 28 billion euros less at travel agencies and tour operators in the till
The economic situation of the German travel industry is deteriorating dramatically due to the corona crisis. After a slight increase in bookings during the summer holidays, the volume of vacation and business travel is now collapsing again as in the spring of this year. The losses are increasing from month to month and hundreds of thousands of jobs are at stake at around 2,300 tour operators and 11,000 travel agencies in Germany. The German Travel Association (DRV) draws attention to this and is expecting a drop in sales of over 28 billion euros for tour operators and travel agencies from March to the end of the year. This corresponds to a drop in sales of around 80 percent.