Mammoth Lakes Tourism attended the 2015 ITB in Germany. MLT had one of two delegates positions representing the High Sierra Visitor’s Council, the regionally marketing group within California that MLT belongs to. Here is a summary of 2015 ITB provided by Visit California:
Background: ITB Berlin 2015 sets new records
As ITB Berlin, the world’s largest travel trade show, kicks off the 2015 holiday season the conclusion after the show is as follows: boosted by falling energy prices, reduced interest rates, low inflation and positive economic forecasts for the euro zone and North America, the travel industry has high expectations as the 2015 travel season beckons. In Germany in particular consumers are keen to travel. Wage increases and a consistently stable employment market coupled with the falling cost of living have significantly increased spending. More than ever, this is why people are willing to spend their money on holidays. The luxury travel segment in particular stands to benefit.
ITB Berlin 2015 was able to cement its position as the world’s largest travel trade show. From March 4-8, 2015, 10,096 exhibitors from 186 countries, more than two-thirds of whom were from abroad, were represented in 26 bustling halls. Overall, some 115,000 trade visitors (2014: 114,000) travelled to Berlin. The share of trade visitors from abroad increased to 43% (2014: 40%). According to estimates by Messe Berlin the volume of sales at the world’s leading travel trade show increased from around 6.5 billion euros in 2014 to 6.7 billion euros.
Visit California at ITB Berlin 2015
The participation of Visit California at ITB Berlin 2015 featured 14 companies with 20 individual delegates. The Visit California ITB 2015 delegation included: Adventure Travel West, AmericaBound Tours, EagleRider Motorcycle Rental & Tours, Furnace Creek Resort, High Sierra Visitor’s Council, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Meritage Collection, San Diego Tourism Authority, San Francisco Travel Association, San Mateo County/Silicon Valley CVB, Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau, Sonoma County Tourism, Universal Studios Hollywood, Visit Santa Barbara.
Visit California’s German, Austrian, and Swiss trade partners, key tour operators and key media discussed news on California in over 200 meetings with delegates and staff. Over 300 invited media and tour operator representatives were also able to sample California’s culinary and wine delights during two wine receptions on ITB Wednesday (March 4th) and ITB Thursday (March 5th). The wine receptions were sponsored by Sonoma County Tourism.