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.

Restrictions on travel introduced in response to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to hit global tourism hard, with the latest data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) showing a 70% fall in international arrivals for the first eight months of 2020.
According to the newest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international arrivals plunged 81% in July and 79% in August, traditionally the two busiest months of the year and the peak of the Northern Hemisphere summer season. The drop until August represents 700 million fewer arrivals compared to the same period in 2019 and translates into a loss of US$ 730 billion in export revenues from international tourism. This is more than eight times the loss experienced on the back of the 2009 global economic and financial crisis.

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.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to announce the ratification of the new PATA Executive Board. Soon-Hwa Wong has been formally endorsed as the Chair of the Association’s Executive Board and replaces Dr. Chris Bottrill who was elected Chair in May 2018 and remains a member of the Executive Board as Immediate Past Chair.

Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has unveiled its Operational Plan for fiscal year 2021 (FY2021) aimed at lifting Thailand’s meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry out of crisis and strengthening the industry’s fundamentals for sustainability. Guided by the concept “New Normal MICE – Sustainable Growth”, the plan comprises four strategies – promoting domestic MICE, attracting international events, implementing innovation, and developing a robust MICE ecosystem.

Dusit International, Sounds of Earth, TAT and TCEB partner o promote sustainable tourism in Thailand, demonstrate new models for safe meetings and events in a post COVID-19 world
Unique ‘Listen to the Earth in Silence’ event at Dusit Thani Hua Hin showcased how resorts can sustainably host events with low-impact travel methods, considerate use of technology, community-focused activities, and distinctive shared experiences that celebrate art, culture and the environment while allowing for social distancing.