An entire hall is being devoted to the subject of wellness at the travel trade fair on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. From 8 to 12 March in Hall 16 the ITB Berlin will be presenting the latest trends and wellness offers that are available in the rapidly expanding sector devoted to those in search of relaxation and wellbeing. Visitors to the fair can obtain information from the many German and foreign suppliers. In addition to the Hotel Incosol Marbella and wellness hotels on the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo, the

Gran Canaria Spa Association the Bulgarian Spa Association will also be represented at the fair. Exhibitors from Germany include Wellness Hotels Germany, beauty24, Aqualux Spa & Hotel and Wellnessfinder. An extensive programme is being organized in Hall 16 by beauty24, where visitors will be invited to learn more about many different kinds of wellness applications.

Wellness Forum on 9 March 2006, Hall 7.3, Berlin Room 1

The subject of wellness will be accompanied by a one-day convention. The Wellness Forum will take place on Thursday, 9 March 2006 in the Berlin Room 1 in Hall 7.3. Admission is free and participants will be offered a number of informative events. It is being organized by Wellness Hotels Germany in association with Messe Berlin.

The programme will include papers by Prof. Dr. med Dietrich Seidel, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munic, on the subject of “Medical Wellness”, by the German Hotel Association (IHA) on wellness hotels in Germany, and by Dagmar Rizzato, dealing with the latest developments in international hotel spas. Jens-Jörgen Middeke from the Institute of Leisure Management will be presenting the findings of some recent studies. Other topics will include Health Tourism in Austria, Ireland as a spa destination, and the A-Rosa Resort Health Concept. The Deutsche Wellness Verband (German Wellness Association) will be represented at the Hospitality Suite in Room 24 on the Gallery of the ICC Berlin.

Other apects for the wellness forum include:

Experts’ Forum Wellness 2006: Thursday, 9 March Hall 7.3, Berlin Room 1

Chaired by: Michael Altewischer – MD Wellness-Hotels-Deutschland

Wellness Attractions to Boost the Tourism Industry

Findings from the latest studies of: Wellness offers, Health tourism. Institut für Freizeitwirtschaft / Munich Dipl.-Kfm. Jens-Jörgen Middeke. Managing Partner Dipl.-Betriebsw. Tourismus (FH) Ms. Alexandra Graf

Wellness Hotels in Germany

Quality characteristics from the consumer’s viewpoint: Markus Luthe – General Manager, Hotelverband Deutschland (IHA)

Medical Wellness

In contrast to a pure theory of wellness?: Univ.-Prof. Dr.med Dr. Dietrich Seidel, Ludwig-Maximilian University Munich, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Medical Wellness Association

Health Tourism in Austria

Seal of quality “Best Health Austria“ - Opportunities for the health cluster – staying ahead through quality: Christopher Gruber – Managing Director, Best Health Austria Gesellschaft fur Gesundheitstourismus mbH

Merging of Markets

Wellness- fitness- health- & hotels from a national and an international viewpoint: International Spa and Wellness Federation - Jörg Hidding

Hotel-Spa Development

What direction are international developments taking in the planning of rooms and treatments?: Spa-Consulting - MD. Ms. Dagmar Rizzato

Health Tourism via the Internet

An opportunity for the hotel industry?”: Internet portal beauty24, Michael Steege

Quality Assurance in the Wellness Hotel Sector

Can wellness be made quantifiable? - Criteria and opportunities: TÜV- Rheinland-Group, Olaf Seiche – Head of Department for Quality Management

Quality Standards in the SPA Sector

Taking A-Rosa Resorts as an example: Arkona Reisen GmbH, Dr. Mark Richter Departmental Director for Health, Wellness & Spa

Ireland

The development of the Emerald Isle as a spa destination: Mediate Consulting Ltd. Kildare, Ireland, Managing Director Harald Hübner