The ITB Convention 2009 was held from 11th  - 15th March 2009 at Messe Berlin, Berlin, Germany. With more than 180,000 visitors inclusive of trade visitors, and over 11,000 exhibitors from 180 countries ITB Berlin has now become the leading B2B platform of all tourist industry stakeholders.

 In addition, the world’s largest tourism convention Market Trends & Innovations, held at the venue, provides unique opportunities for participants to benefit from the leading think tank of the global tourism industry. Furthermore, all levels of the value added chain including tour operators, booking engines, destinations, airlines, and hotels up to car rentals were easily accessible at the venue.

Sri Lanka Tourism stakeholders participated at the event with 40 companies, including SME partners. The main focus and objective of this years’ ITB, was to launch the new logo and branding of Sri Lanka Tourism to the travel trade and media, present at the venue. Having the end of the local conflict situation in sight, the re-positioning and the resulting strategy of Sri Lanka Tourism is based on the key aspects of the destination – diversity, compactness, and authenticity.

As part of ITB marketing activities, Sri Lanka Tourism has arranged a one month’s taxi and metroboard promotion within the city limits of Berlin. Furthermore, on the specific consumer days, Sri Lanka Tourism branded caps were distributed among the visitors.

A group of 6 members, of the `Ravibandhu Dance Ensemble´ performed at the Sri Lanka pavilion from 11th  to 15th March 2009, to attract visitors, and their performance was featured in a programme on a prominent German TV station.

The five best tour operators in Germany who had channeled the highest number of tourists to Sri Lanka for the year 2008 received awards from, H E the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in France, Mr T B Maduwegedera, Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Mr Bernard Goonetilleke, Chairman Sri Lanka Convention Bureau Mr Prema Cooray, Managing Director Sri Lanka Tourism Mr Dileep Mudadeniya and Managing Director news PLUS Communications Mr Kai Ostermann.

The new branding with new logo and tagline was presented at a special function following the award ceremony with a cocktail in the colours of the new logo, with the participation of tour operators and the media. Furthermore, an “ITB Special” Newsletter was sent to the travel trade and media.

Commenting on the success at ITB this year, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Mr Bernard Goonetilleke, said that with the new strategic positioning, Sri Lanka will be fully equipped to cater to the needs of the tourist, as the conflict situation eases out and paves way for a peaceful Sri Lanka. The exposure at ITB is a preliminary step towards that achievement, he further added.