On the 50th anniversary of ITB Berlin, UNWTO’s activities at the fair will focus on the development of the Silk Road and the World Tourism Network on Child Protection. ITB will take place on 9-13 March.
One of the major events organized by UNWTO at ITB Berlin will be the 6th UNWTO Silk Road Ministers’ Meeting (9 March). The meeting brings together Ministers and high ranking officials from over 20 countries to discuss how public/private sector partnerships (PPPs) can contribute to advancing tourism on the Silk Road.

Leading figures representing tourism, politics, industry and the world’s largest tourism convention – ChihiraKanae, Toshiba’s humanoid robot, is eagerly awaited – admission is free for trade visitors at ITB Berlin.

by Carmen Mancarella
Sea, culture and fun: in just a word Italy. Iberotel Apulia (www.iberotelapulia.com) is a resort located very close to the beautiful beaches of Puglia, in the Salento, where you can enjoy a wonderful experience, taking time for yourself, taking care of your body and spirit.In a breathtaking natural setting, a few kilometers from the baroque and the byzantine cities, rich in archaeological remains, it is possible to have fun with the delicious italian style “aperitivo” , offered at dusk, while the sun dives in the sea waves.

According to the Bahrain Economic Development Board, a steady increase in visitor numbers set to significantly boost Kingdom’s GDP in the next decade; Renewed emphasis placed on tourism as key economic driver with 3,000 hotel rooms in development pipeline
Bahrain returns to ATM this year to showcase its expanding hotel and tourism infrastructure with an active hotel pipeline of 13 properties, 3,000 hotel rooms and with tourism expected to contribute US$1 billion by the end of the decade.

Iran hosts first International Travel and Hospitality Conference as government seeks to boost investment in infrastructure for tourism. More than 200 Iranian government officials gathered in Isfahan for the country’s first international conference aiming at public-private exchange to boost investment in transport and hospitality to satisfy an expected massive rise in tourism over the coming years.

Cementing its position as an up-and-coming C&I destination, Japan has won the bid to host the 49th Annual Meeting and General Assembly of the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers in 2018. Events will take place in two Japanese cities: the Annual Meeting & General Assembly will convene in Tokyo following Council Meetings in Osaka.