Organisers of world's leading travel trade show, ITB Berlin, has announced the decision to cancel the fair due to the rapid spread of the new coronavirus, COVID-19.
According to organisers, the decision was made following a direction from Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Economics that ITB Berlin be cancelled. In its statement, Messe Berlin confirmed the health authority of the district of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf in Berlin imposed significantly tighter restrictions on holding the event that prompted the decision to cancel.
Messe Berlin had for weeks made it known a decision on holding or cancelling large-scale events would only be taken based on the recommendations or instructions of the relevant specialist authorities. CEO of Messe Berlin Christian Göke said ITB Berlin is extremely important for the world's tourism industry, adding the organisers take responsibility for the health and safety of visitors, exhibitors and employees very seriously.
Meanwhile, 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.
In 2019 a total of 10,000 companies and organisations from 181 countries exhibited their products and services to around 160,000 visitors, including 113,500 trade visitors.