ITB Berlin 2020 Canceled
ITB Berlin 2020 will not take place. Due to the rapid spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Economics have stated their opinion that ITB Berlin be cancelled. This evening at 1827 hrs, the responsible health authority of the district of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf in Berlin imposed significantly tighter restrictions on holding the event.
Messe Berlin had for weeks made it known that a decision on holding or cancelling large-scale events would only be taken based on the recommendations or instructions of the relevant specialist authorities. Only they possess the necessary information and specialist knowledge in order to draw the right conclusions.
Dr. Christian Göke, CEO of Messe Berlin GmbH, said: "With more than 10,000 exhibitors from over 180 countries ITB Berlin is extremely important for the world's tourism industry. We take our responsibility for the health and safety of our visitors, exhibitors and employees very seriously. It is with a heavy heart that we must now come to terms with the cancellation of ITB Berlin 2020."
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Messe Berlin Wolf-Dieter Wolf said: "Not once in the 54-year history of the event have ITB Berlin and Messe Berlin experienced a similar situation. We would like to thank all exhibitors and partners from all over the world who over the past few days and weeks have stood by ITB Berlin. We look forward to continuing the trusted relationship with our partners in the market."
About ITB Berlin and the ITB Berlin Convention and ITB 360°
ITB Berlin 2026 took place from Tuesday, 3 to Thursday, 5 March as a B2B event. Since 1966, ITB Berlin has been the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show, and taking as its slogan ’Discover the stories behind 60 years of legacy’, this year celebrated its sixtieth anniversary. 5,601 exhibitors from 166 countries and territories displayed their products and services to nearly 97,000 attendees. At the ITB Berlin Convention, under the heading ’Leading Tourism into Balance’, 400 leading speakers from business, science and politics discussed current and future industry challenges on four stages featuring 17 theme tracks. More than 24,000 visitors attended the convention. With ITB 360°, the 365-day global innovation hub that is ITB Berlin now offers the worldwide tourism community year-round insights in the shape of specialist articles, podcasts and other innovative formats.