In order to facilitate local tourism businesses to keep growing in the German market and to position Botswana Tourism globally, the Botswana Tourism Board will today lead a total of 20 operators to the annual International Tourism Borse (ITB) in Berlin, Germany, which will take place from the 5th to the 9th of March, 2008.
With more than 180 000 visitors, among these 108 000 trade visitors, and over 10 000 exhibitors from 180 countries, ITB Berlin is the leading Platform of all tourism industry offers.
Keitumetse Setlang, the Botswana Tourism Board Public Relations and Communication Manager, the ITB is a platform where trade on products and services of national and regional tourist organizations, tour operators, hotels, airlines, car rental companies, railways, ferry companies, cruise liners, coach operators, other tourist service providers, technology and telecommunication providers, reservation system providers and other travel related services, is done.
This year, Setlang said Botswana Tourism will be highlighting Botswana cultural tourism by promoting and creating awareness on the soon to be launched No1 Ladies Detective Agency Film.
Over and above this, Setlang pointed out that Botswana will participate at the event with the aim of branding Botswana tourism; that is, the products and services as well as the destinations.
“The aim here is to make new customer contacts with a view of raising awareness on Botswana tourism, establishing leads to networks in the global tourism industry, and to maintain status as a key player in the tourism industry in Africa,” she stated.
Touching on the ITB Berlin held last year, Setlang said that it marked a record year in terms of quality and volume with almost 11 000 organizations and companies from about 180 countries and territories participating, once again making it the largest international travel show ever.
“There was a 15 percent increase in trade visitors with an increasingly international dimension. The total exhibition space booked for ITB 2007 covered 160,000 square meters,” she revealed.
Setlang stressed that ITB 2008 provides an opportunity for the Botswana Tourism Board to continue positioning the country as a premier tourist destination that offers unparalleled experiences in nature, wilderness, and cultural attractions.
“The Botswana delegation will be led by the Marketing Manager Joe Motse,” she announced.
