The opening ceremonies of the ITB Berlin 2008 will be taking place on the eve of the first day of the fair, on 4 March, in Room 1 of the ICC Berlin. Klaus Wowereit, Governing Mayor of Berlin, and Raimund Hosch, Chief Executive Officer of Messe Berlin GmbH, will address the guests. Afterwards there will be speeches by Francesco Frangialli, General Secretary of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and Klaus Laepple, President of the National Association of the German Tourism Industry (BTW).

This is the third time that Federal Minister of Economics and Technology Michael Glos will be opening the ITB Berlin. Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic Félix Jiménez will be speaking on behalf of this year’s partner country at the ITB.

A programme of cultural events accompanying the opening ceremonies and with the several-times winner Juan Luis Guerra as guest will be guaranteeing a Caribbean atmosphere. The Dominican Republic will be presenting the country’s musical tradition, spanning the ages from the early culture of the Taino Indians, music from the colonial era and African influences, through to modern works from Europe. Merengue, Bachata and typical carnival music will round off this fascinating programme. At a reception taking place afterwards all the culinary delights of the Dominican Republic will await the guests attending the opening ceremonies. Renowned chefs de cuisine from the luxury world of Cap Cana will be flying in especially to organise this opulent gala buffet. Master chef François Bouvet is the owner of critically acclaimed restaurants and has worked alongside Paul Bocuse.

In addition to leading figures from the international travel industry a 130-man delegation from the Dominican Republic is expected to attend. Among its members will be Minister of Tourism Felix Jimenez and actress Zoë Saldaña, famous for her roles in The Terminal and Pirates of the Caribbean.