Dominican Republic’s standout presence at ITB

Berlín.- Once again, the Dominican Republic’s presence at the historically renowned ITB, considered the world’s largest tourism fair, stood out prominently. Its vibrant illumination and musical ambiance made it one of the standout exhibits at the entire event, particularly in the American section. In contrast to the less visually engaging displays of neighboring countries like Mexico, Cuba, and Jamaica, as well as Costa Rica, Aruba, and Barbados, the Dominican exhibition space captured significant attention.

However, the 2024 edition of ITB in Berlin, which commenced on Tuesday, has confirmed a continued decline in attendance compared to the resurgence observed in 2023 after a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Despite attributing the lower attendance in 2023 to the hiatus, this year’s edition has emphasized the diminishing interest of some participants who find the wear and cost of attendance less justified.

The increasing prevalence of regional fairs in the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, alongside sector-specific events, has contributed to the diminishing stature of what was once the world’s largest tourism fair. Additionally, the rise of direct sales, the waning influence of tour operators, and the economic challenges faced by Germany, particularly due to escalating energy prices amid the conflict in Ukraine, have been identified as factors contributing to the decline of the Berlin event.

As the global epicenter of tourism for the week, Berlin perceives that Fitur has strengthened its position as a major event with a vibrant Latin focus. Madrid, in particular, is noted to be more in vogue than ever.