The most important place for the international travel industry to network under one roof is at the annual ITB in Berlin’s convention centre. It is not just for people in the business, but for anyone who wants a quick and convenient taste of other lands, cultures, and adventures... and kilos of brochures and information with which to plan a dream vacation. The fair won't just attract thousands of Germans; it will also cause a considerable influx of foreign visitors from all corners of the world to Berlin. Some 170,000 people attend every year, about half of them trade visitors. They have plenty to look at: 10,000 exhibitors from 180 countries and territories worldwide try to catch their attention. These figures make Berlin's travel fair the largest in the world.
The ITB first started in 1966, with nine exhibitors (of which Iraq was one) and 250 trade visitors. Hungary and Romania joined ITB in 1968 during the temporary relaxation of travel restrictions in Eastern Europe. By 1980 the ITB had outclassed all other tourism fairs.
Countries and tour operators hand out more than paper - they entertain and host games. The general public visiting the fair is ever more geared towards getting information about far-flung destinations. This year, Egypt is in the spotlight.

ITB International Tourism Fair, March 7-11, 2012, March 7-9 for trade visitors only. Messegelände (Convention Center), Messedamm 22, CB, S-Bahn Messe Nord or Messe Süd, www.itb-berlin.com. Open 10:00 - 18:00. Admission €14.50, trade visitors €46.