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Opublikowano: czwartek, 04, marzec 2010 09:55

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ITB Berlin 2010 tuż, tuż...

10 - 14 March/marzec

Slight easing of pressure in the business travel sector

Recovery in sight – The current survey of members of the Association of German Travel Management (VDR) reveals a mood of cautious optimism in the business travel sector.

Berlin, 4 March 2010 – There is light at the end of the tunnel and positive signals are changing the mood in the travel industry. Ahead of the world’s leading travel trade show the end of the global recession is also reflected by the business travel sector. This was revealed by the latest survey of members of the Association of German Travel management (VDR). In collaboration with ITB Berlin, the world’s leading platform for the global travel industry, the VDR asked its members to predict what the impact of the world economic and financial crisis would be on business travel during the current business year. Their findings: more than half of the companies that were polled, consisting of suppliers as well as German companies with their own travel management departments, are confident that there will be an upturn before this year is over. Furthermore almost a quarter of those questioned expect to see a recovery in business travel activity at the start of next year. Only ten per cent of companies expressed their concern that there would not be a recovery in business travel.

“The trend that has been revealed by the latest snap poll by the VDR is giving the industry reasons for cautious optimism. This is good news for ITB Berlin”, comments Dr. Martin Buck, Director of the Competence Centre Travel & Logistics at Messe Berlin, referring to the findings of this survey. “Stringent travel guidelines, which have met with complete acceptance within the companies, and are being consistently applied, not only offer tangible benefits for travel management but also ensure high levels of reliability and professionalism in the dealings between companies’ customers and service providers.”

The economic situation continues to have a significant impact on the business travel activities of German companies. However, following a sharp downturn a year ago there seems to have been something of a recovery. Nevertheless the situation is having a noticeable effect on cost-saving, and almost 60 per cent of VDR member companies are still paying particular attention to costs and are seeking cheaper travel options. However, the survey did reveal that cost-cutting is not being applied as rigorously as it was during the initial phase of the economic and financial crisis at the beginning of last year. Only
11 per cent of these companies are cutting out all travel which is not absolutely necessary, compared with twice as many in October 2009, according to the latest survey by the VDR.

Companies are making more use of web, video and telephone conferencing as a means of reducing their travel costs. One third of the VDR member companies that were questioned now apply such technology as a substitute for business travel. A further 20 per cent are following this trend for other reasons, such as improving internal communication. “The shift in the direction of virtual conferences is one of many topical issues being dealt with during the Business Travel Days, which are taking place during ITB Berlin”, Dr. Buck reports. “This convention will provide decision-makers in travel management with a valuable stimulus for addressing strategies when the crisis is over. Experts will be explaining, for example, the extent to which the use of telecommunications can replace face-to-face discussions.”

The snap poll was conducted among the 512 members of the VDR at the beginning of February. A total of 126 companies took part.

Reduced-rate tickets: online for school pupils and students

Anyone attending ITB Berlin on the public days, Saturday and Sunday, 13 and 14 March 2010, can obtain their tickets from the comfort of their own homes and at a reduced rate by booking online at www.itb-berlin.com/tickets. Online tickets cost 12 euros compared with the usual price of 14 euros. The cost on the day from the ticket offices on the grounds is 14 euros. Children up to the age of 14 accompanied by parents will be admitted free of charge. Schoolchildren and students can obtain reduced rate day tickets costing just eight euros. Last Minute tickets for 14 March, valid from 2 to 6 p.m., cost eight euros from the ticket offices. Tickets for the public days at ITB Berlin are also available until 12 March 2010 from all BVG sales outlets and BVG ticket dispensers at stations throughout the city. To facilitate travel to and from the fair and for other journeys by public transport the VBB day ticket, costing
6.10 euros (Berlin AB), is recommended. ITB Berlin is open daily from
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

About ITB Berlin and the ITB Berlin Convention

ITB Berlin 2010 will take place from Wednesday, 10 to Sunday, 14 March. ITB Berlin will be open to trade visitors only from Wednesday to Friday. ITB Berlin is the world’s leading travel trade show. In 2009 a total of 11,098 companies from 187 countries exhibited their products and services to 178,971 visitors, who included 110,857 trade visitors. Parallel with the trade fair, the  ITB Berlin Convention will be held from Wednesday to Friday, 10 to 12 March 2010. Full details of the programme can be found at www.itb-convention.com/program.

Fachhochschule Worms and the US-based market research company for the travel industry PhoCusWright Inc are partners of the ITB Berlin Convention 2010. SkyTeam is among the premium sponsors of the ITB Aviation Day, TopAlliance is responsible for VIP service, airliners.de is media partner of the airport session within the ITB Aviation Day and hospitalityInside.com is media partner of the ITB Hospitality Day.

Futouris, Kiel Earth Institute, Landau Media, news aktuell and Wilde & Partner are sponsors of particular sessions. Partners cooperating with the ITB Business Travel Days 2010 are: Deutsche Bahn AG, DRV Deutscher ReiseVerband e.V., Europäische Reiseversicherung AG (ERV), FCm Travel Solutions, hotel.de, HSMA (Hospitality Sales und Marketing Association) Deutschland e.V., schaefer mobility group GmbH, Seminaris Campushotel Berlin Science & Conference Center, Veranstaltungsplaner.de, the travel management association Verband Deutsches Reisemanagement e.V. (VDR) and Schlosshotel Fürstlich Drehna.

The media partners cooperating with the ITB Business Travel Days 2010 are BIZ Travel, Business&IT, connect, DMM Der Mobilitätsmanager, Geschäftsreise Effektiv, Markt und Mittelstand,Tempra, travel manager, TW TagungsWirtschaft and working@office.

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