Seen at ITB Berlin Luxury Moments at the Trade Show
Our Trade Show Superlatives
- Biggest Wanderlust Trigger: Hong Kong – thanks to the gigantic LED screen with video, it almost felt like standing right on Victoria Peak.
- Best Booth Idea: Lufthansa – their little hopscotch game was sooo much fun!
- Boldest “Kidnapping”: Belmond – DACH Director Stephan Jablonski "abducted" his after show party guests for a boat ride on the Spree. Party hopping? Not a chance!
- Best Supporting Role: The Weather – wall-to-wall sunshine all week. Has ITB ever looked this bright?
- Coolest Party Surprise: Cube Travel & Lobster Experience – we were immediately in love with that Negroni fountain!
- Saddest Sight: Hall 2.2 – a ghost-town atmosphere among the Middle Eastern destinations.
- Best Anniversary Idea: DeLorean time travel – a fantastic photo opportunity for ITB visitors at the trade show's 60th anniversary.
- Most Seasoned Team Member: Director of Business Development Melli Haass – she has attended 30 out of the 60 ITBs so far!
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Image: LuxuryWise
Image: LuxuryWise
Image: LuxuryWise
Image: LuxuryWise
ITB at Night: It's Party Time!
Monday, March 2nd
Image: Airtours / Mika Fotografie Berlin
Airtours Open House
World of TUI
Before the first business cards change hands at ITB, the who’s who of the luxury travel world traditionally gathers for a warm-up at the Airtours Open House event in the World of TUI at Berlin’s Gendarmenmarkt. And once again this year the message was clear: welcome to the TUI family living room! Together with hoteliers, travel advisors, media people, and industry friends, guests mingled over drinks, plenty of smiling faces, and – despite the tensions in the Middle East – wonderfully upbeat spirits. A perfectly relaxed night before the familiar whirlwind of ITB meetings kicks off on Tuesday.
Image: Airtours / Mika Fotografie Berlin
Image: Airtours / Mika Fotografie Berlin
Image: Airtours / Mika Fotografie Berlin
Image: Winnie Krieger Photography
Unique Night
Grand Hyatt Berlin
Travel professionals who spend the day rushing from appointment to appointment deserve a proper celebration in the evening. After an intense pre-ITB day at the now well established trade show Unique, the four hosts Tracy Neureuther, Dominique Liggins, Meggy Mendes, and Katharina Herbst (from left to right) invited guests to a lively nightcap. The industry’s well-represented crème de la crème didn’t need much convincing to switch from business mode to party mood – and a delicious flying buffet, warm conversations, and an energetic live band provided the perfect setting.
Image: Winnie Krieger Photography
Image: Winnie Krieger Photography
Image: Winnie Krieger Photography
Image: CHL PhotoDesign/CH.Lietzmann
Windrose Office Lounge & Rooftop Night
Windrose Office
The Windrose get-together took place in the luxury tour operator’s brand-new offices – and guests turned out in droves following the invitation of Managing Director Christian Böll (pictured left) and owner Ambros Gasser. Gasser’s speech about the company’s core values struck a real chord with the audience. Another crowd favorite: the annual Pommery Champagne bar. Although getting there proved quite a challenge — at what felt like a giant family reunion, guests were greeted and hugged every few steps. And this year in particular, everyone seemed especially happy to see one another.
Image: CHL PhotoDesign/CH.Lietzmann
Image: CHL PhotoDesign/CH.Lietzmann
Image: CHL PhotoDesign/CH.Lietzmann
Tuesday, March 3rd
Image: Christoph Wehrer
Costa Rica Launch Event
Prince Charles
Pura vida! Costa Rica’s famous life philosophy was very much alive in Berlin. To launch the new European campaign "Live. Life. Now.", no effort was spared: the usually rather sleek Prince Charles club was transformed into a lush tropical rainforest. Wow! The immersive Costa Rica experience was completed by large-scale nature projections covering the walls. No surprise that nobody wanted to miss it: airlines, tour operators, cruise lines, travel advisors, and industry insiders all followed the invitation of the Instituto Costarricense de Turismo and their Germany representative Christina Dragässer (pictured center).
Image: Christoph Wehrer
Image: Christoph Wehrer
Image: Christoph Wehrer
Image: Lobster Experience
Cube Travel & Lobster: The Golden Twenties
The Ritz-Carlton Berlin
Oh yes – this is one guest list just pretty much everyone in the luxury travel industry wants to be on! Astrid Oberhummer (pictured left) of Lobster Experience and Silvio Rebmann of Cube Travel once again proved their reputation as outstanding hosts. The now legendary party lost none of its flair in its new location at The Ritz-Carlton Berlin – thanks to the one and only currywurst from Bier’s Kudamm 195, a Negroni fountain (yes, you read that right!), and plenty of Espresso Martinis. And of course, as always, the guests themselves were the real highlight.
Image: Lobster Experience
Image: Lobster Experience
Image: Lobster Experience
Wednesday, March 4th
Image: Bahamas Tourist Office
Bahamas ITB Party
KaDeWe · Moët & Chandon Bar
Admittedly, the temptation was strong to sneak in a quick detour through the alluring fashion worlds of Berlin’s luxury mall KaDeWe. But the Champagne flowed so generously and the staff was so charming at the Moët & Chandon Bar on the sixth floor of the iconic department store that this plan quietly faded into the background. Instead, the Bahamas, together with their DACH representative Claudia Majunke (pictured), presented themselves in an intimate and elegant setting – complete with delicate flower-shaped bites and gold-leaf treats. The atmosphere hovered somewhere between tropical wanderlust, relaxed networking, and a touch of James Bond glamour.
Image: Bahamas Tourist Office
Image: Bahamas Tourist Office
