First report on the mood at Europe’s largest tourism and travel trade fair. The traditional CMT was off to a successful start on the weekend. For the second time, the travel trade fair opened its gates at the exhibition center by Stuttgart Airport. Around 60,000 people visited during the first two days, alone, in order to get a hold of the most recent holiday trends or maybe one or the other insider tip for travel in 2009. The exhibition for caravan, motor and tourism will remain open on the new fair grounds of Stuttgart through 01/25/2009. The CMT is the largest public exhibition for tourism in Europe. A total of about 200,000 travel-loving visitors are anticipated until January 25.

Die in Berlin vorgestellte Studie „Katalytische Effekte des Luftverkehrs“ bestätigt den hohen wirtschaftlichen Nutzen des Luftverkehrs in Deutschland. Nach Untersuchungen des European Center for Aviation Development ist der Luftverkehr nicht nur für die seit langem bekannten positiven Effekte bei den Fluggesellschaften und Flughäfen verantwortlich, sondern stiftet darüber hinaus zusätzliche Nutzen, die sich in der Ansiedlung international tätiger Unternehmen mit ihren Direktinvestitionen und Arbeitsplätzen niederschlagen.

Time and again, states and associations try to modernize the association law, now 100 years old, through petitions – without success. The association law considers association executives personally liable when damages are incurred during non-profit activities. These can stem from accidents at events, liability damages, up to faulty taxes. Since there are over 600,000 listed associations in Germany, every seventh German citizen is practically sailing close to the wind.

Always wanted to follow the steps of the Sicilian nobility, to take a look behind the doors of an inhabited palazzo, to shake hands with a Conte and Contessa of the Hohenstaufen lineage and to taste the wine of the hosts? Schön Touristik combines these unique experiences into a group trip to Sicily – following the company motto of „authentic – creative – a great experience“.

The third IT&CM China event will be the platform for international and leading Chinese players in the MICE industry to explore exciting business opportunities, generate new sales leads and strengthen business partnerships with existing clients. Tailored for the world’s most populous country, the IT&CM China trade show is a spin-off of IT&CM Asia, the region’s premier meetings and incentive travel show. For 16 years, IT&CM Asia has played a vital role in promoting the Asia-Pacific region as a MICE destination, as well as a source for MICE visitors.

With its new catalog „Trips for Experienced Connoisseurs“, Thomas Cook Travel, in cooperation with Tour Vital, has compiled a customized program for explorative vacationers of all ages who appreciate both, the competent tour guidance during their trips, and a high level of security. For groups coming from Germany, the 21 carefully planned round trips on 145 scheduled dates are further accompanied by a physician. This allows for the exploration of far-off regions and foreign cultures without worries.