OVER 650 international travel industry and media representatives from 45 countries, among them several regional players, attended the 33rd Germany Travel Mart (GTM) last month in Berlin and Potsdam. Several regional players attended the event.
Petra Hedorfer, chief executive officer of the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) said it was a record year for the GTM.
The 370 or so exhibitors – including hotels, regional marketing organisations, incoming agencies and transport companies – at the GTM aassessed the event posivitely. In a snap poll 81 per cent were satisfied or highly satisfied with their participation at this year's event. About 81 per cent had already attended the international workshop in previous years, and 84 per cent are likely to return to the GTM 2008 from April 27 to 29, in Munich.
The majority of exhibitors had held meetings with between 11 and 30 buyers at the GTM and most expect contracts to be signed as a result. Regional buyers at the event included Emirates Holidays, Gulf Reps and Ritz Travel and Tourism Kuwait.
The city of Berlin and the state of Brandenburg, with its capital Potsdam, took the opportunity to showcase themselves as rich and varied destinations with a wide-ranging programme of entertainment and other activities. The welcome for visitors to the GTM in the German capital at the Theater am Potsdamer Platz rivalled the Berlinale film festival in its splendour. Visitors were able to discover the many historical and musical attractions of Brandenburg and its capital Potsdam, including a night-time cruise on the river Havel. The lavish closing event was held at Tempelhof airport in Berlin.