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Coronavirus: Decision on Berlin ITB event set for tonight

A decision on whether ITB goes ahead next week amid the coronavirus outbreak looks set to be made today.

Organisers of the giant travel trade show in Berlin said they were co-ordinating with public authorities in Germany over the impact of the virus.

At least 110,000 trade visitors were originally expected  to attend the exhibition on March 4-8.


MoreCoronavirus: International Hospitality Investment Forum cancels Berlin event


But ITB admitted yesterday that numbers were likely to be down due to the spread of coronavirus across Europe.

And in an update today, ITB said it was “currently co-ordinating with the public authorities at federal and state level on how to proceed with regard to ITB Berlin 2020 and COVID-19.

“It is expected that more detailed information will be available in the evening of 28 February 2020 at the earliest.

“We will inform you as soon as we have new information.”

A statement issued on Thursday said: “Due to the current spread of the coronavirus in Europe, the organiser (sic) expects lower visitor numbers at ITB Berlin.

“Please understand that due to the dynamic situation, we are currently unable to make any statements about concrete visitor numbers.

“Kindly note that there might occur waiting time during the peak hours of 9:30-10.00am in the entrance areas, as there are many visitors arriving at the same time and because of security measures.”

And the organisers tweeted: “We have never encountered a situation like this in 54 years of ITB.”

The decision comes as organisers of The International Hospitality Investment Forum in Berlin took the decision to cancel the event amid growing concerns over coronavirus. The event will now take place on May 4-6.

 

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