REPORT - BERLIN - ITB 2006: Another year, another ITB and, despite the ever increasing competition, it is already clear that this bumper 40th editionof the Berlin travel trade fair is going to confirm ITB once again as the world’s biggest and best. In terms of exhibitor numbers, 2006 will be a record year, with 10,856 firms, enterprises and institutions from some 180 countries and territories around the world – up 4.3% on 2005’s level.

ITB Berlin 2006 welcomes a number of new countries and exhibitors, too, among which Timor Leste and Afghanistan are exhibiting here for the first time. Following a long absence Macedonia is also back, as is North Korea – exhibiting at the PATA stand in Hall 26.

After its very successful first two years, the scope of the ITB Congress: Market Trends & Innovations looks to be even more comprehensive this year – if that were indeed possible. Rumour also it that it will be the largest tourism conference in the world with some 180 speakers at 60 separate events. And the speaker’s list reads like a ‘Who’s Who of the travel and tourism industry.

ITB’s growing stature is reflected in the number of other important events that have sprung up around the annual Berlin fair. The International Hotel Investment Forum, now in its seventh or eight year, takes place from 6-8 March. Preliminary estimates suggest it has attracted a record 1,300 participants this year, making it the biggest hotel investment forum in the world. And many of its participants – among whom leaders of the hospitality from all over the globe – will also be exhibiting and/or attending ITB as trade visitors.

In yet another sign of ITB’s appeal, the International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA) has specifically chosen this week and Berlin to hold its first joint annual meeting of its National Association Chief Executives (NACE) and Hotel Chains Councils. The two Councils met together in a combined session for reports from IH&RA Global Councils focused on: e-commerce and e-distribution; corporate social responsibility; copyright and neighbouring rights; food service; human resources; standards; and security, crisis and risk management and preven