World's leading travel trade show opens in Berlin

BERLIN, March 9 (Xinhua) -- As many as 11,127 exhibitors gathered here Tuesday for the world's leading travel trade show known as the International Tourism Bourse (ITB).

German Minister of Economy and Technology Rainer  Bruederle addresses the opening ceremony of the  International Tourism Exchange in Berlin, capital of Germany, March 9, 2010. (Xinhua/Pool)

This year's Berlin show was the first to include a platform for "mobile travel services" which highlights the future mobile usage in looking and booking hotel services and ticketing.

The show drew slightly more participants than last year, said organizer Messe Berlin.

A total of 11,098 exhibitors attended the 2009 ITB Berlin show.

"One year ago at the same time, we were not quite sure what could be expected for this year," Klaus Laepple, president of the German Tourism Industry Federation, said at the opening ceremony.

"But now, the increase instead of decrease in (exhibitor) numbers tells us one thing: optimism is walking around again. That's indeed a good sign."

The tourism bourse, which started in 1966, covers the entire value chain of the international travel industry.