ITB beginning from March 7

Shirajiv Sirimane in Berlin

A strong contingent would be participating in the world's largest and leading travel fair ITB beginning from March 7 to 11 in Berlin Germany. TB Berlin an excellent opportunity to meet business partners and to do business.

Sri Lanka Tourism will be participating at ITB since 1968 and this year Acting Director General Vipula Wanigasekers and Junior Manager in charge of German Market, Vishaka Gunaratne would be representing the SLTB while senior Sri Lankan embassy officials from Germany would participate. The opening ceremony will be on 7 March at 11.00 AM at the Lankan stand.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Pavilion will be located in as in the last occasion, in Hall 5.2a Stand 114, with an area of 268 metres. The SriLankan airlines stand would be located in the same hall.

There will be 54 companies, representing from the Sri Lanka tourism trade, - inbound tour operators, tourist hotels, small and medium enterprises in tourism.

The pavilion will have an open design, with the eight themes of Sri Lanka Tourism promotion. New would be a video wall presenting the latest tourism attractions. An ayurvedha corner - Spa Room will be allocated with relaxing chairs.

Liquid Tea Kiosk where pure Ceylon Tea will be served free to the consumers. Sri Lankan gem also will be promoted in this forum this year.

In the afternoon, on Wednesday, 7 March, the “Awards Ceremony” for the best three tour operators will be held at the stand.

The ITB Berlin is an international media event. In 2011 about 7,200 journalists attended the world's largest trade show for the travel industry. In addition to the industry's leading trade magazines, business and travel journalists from 94 countries report on the latest travel trends and products.

Opening ceremony of ITB Berlin will be attended by Governing Mayor of Berlin Klaus Wowereit, Federal Minister of Economics and Technology Dr.R Philipp and the Egyptian Minister for Tourism. Mounir Fahkri Abdel Nour “ Cairo Opera House to perform at the opening of the world's leading travel trade show.

A celebrity line-up will be present at show.

At the opening ceremony in the ICC Berlin the partner country of ITB will be highlighting Egypt's past with historic exhibits ranging from ancient times to the present day. Afterwards, traditional and contemporary dancing will offer a foretaste of the evenings celebrations.