60 years of ITB Berlin
60 years of ITB Berlin: 15 special anniversary moments on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds
M.Z.I. Dalton Zahir | from Berlin : What began in 1966 as part of an overseas import trade fair with nine exhibitors from five countries and 250 visitors has evolved into the World’s Leading Tourism Trade Show with well over 5,000 exhibitors. Six decades after it was launched, ITB Berlin stands stronger than ever for dialogue, innovation and the unifying power of travel. Taking as its slogan ’60 Years of Legacy’, ITB Berlin combines business, networking, content and cultural dialogue throughout the exhibition grounds and places the spotlight on key future travel topics. At the same time, it offers attendees three days of small, surprising experiences that spark emotions, which will make their visit an unforgettable event. An overview of all activities can be found online at 60 years – ITB Berlin.
In 1966, the first ITB Berlin took place with just nine exhibitors, marking the beginning of what would become the world’s leading travel trade show. Originally envisioned as a ‘super travel agency’ by founder Prof. Dr. Manfred Busche, ITB Berlin started as a modest gathering before becoming a powerful platform for innovation, partnerships, and the evolution of modern travel.
At ITB Berlin 2026, we’re celebrating 60 years of bringing the world together through travel.
On 9 February 1969, Boeing took flight with the first jumbo jet, opening the skies to longer journeys, more destinations, and cheaper fares for travelers everywhere.
At ITB Berlin 2026, we’re celebrating 60 years of aviation innovation – the game changer that made exploring the world easier than ever.
From 3 to 5 March 2026, ITB Berlin is marking its sixtieth anniversary with some special highlights: from an after-work event and a journey through time in a DeLorean to community art and a 60-second round of applause, the industry will be honouring its past while looking towards the future.
A time to celebrate, connect and create together
A special event awaits the community on day one, 3 March at 3 p.m. With the ’60- Second Cheer for the Travel Industry’, ITB Berlin invites everyone to join a 60-second round of applause throughout the trade show – as a sign of recognition for colleagues, stand neighbours, service staff and everyone shaping the travel industry. A powerful symbol of solidarity and commitment in one of the most dynamic industries in the world.
Berlin neighbourhood culture meets international networking at the new ITB Späti in Hall 7.2c. Inspired by Berlin’s iconic 24-hour corner shops, this venue will be the main meeting place for guided tours, presentations, happy hours and daily bingo rounds during the show. On day one, a unique tape artwork will unfold live here – marking a creative highlight of the anniversary edition.
Why not end the first day in style: on 3 March 2026 from 5.30 p.m. to 7 p.m., ITB Berlin invites you to the official ’Cheers to 60 Years of Legacy’ after-work party at the south entrance. Guests can enjoy a free ITB signature drink and a toast to six decades of industry progress. Berlin DJ Chris Bekker will be there to create the right mood. The party is open to all ITB attendees and the perfect start after the show to an evening in Berlin.
60 years of ITB Berlin: 15 special anniversary moments on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. © ITB Berlin
Travel through time, art and interactive experiences
‘Back to the Future – Travel Through Time’ brings a real movie highlight to the exhibition halls, with the legendary DeLorean from the cult film in Hall 21e – ready for taking photos and enjoying memories. Visitors can travel virtually through six decades of ITB history – and take a look at the future of travel.
Also in Hall 21e, the installation ‘Launch the Future – The ITB Rocket’ invites visitors to share their visions and write down the answer to the key question “What will travel look like tomorrow?”. A selection of answers will be published on ITB Berlin’s social media channels during the year, highlighting the future direction of the industry.
Creativity is also the watchword at the north entrance to Hall 19 (indoors). ‘Community Painting – One Community, One Canvas’ will create a Berlin-inspired mural in the style of painting by numbers, where individual brushstrokes become a collective work of art – a symbol of 60 years of cooperation.
The vintage VW bus in Hall 23, Stand 116 promises a trip down memory lane. A mobile photo spot entitled ‘60 Years on the Road – Vintage Photo Memories’, it offers visitors a personal trade fair souvenir – inspired by a vehicle that has accompanied generations of travellers.
At the north entrance, the ‘Say ITB – Iconic Polaroid Moment’ installation showcases anniversary activities in oversized polaroid style. Accompanying this is ‘Faces of ITB – 60 Years, One Community’, in which a mobile photo team takes authentic polaroid portraits of the personalities who make up ITB Berlin. Selected images will appear on screens throughout the exhibition grounds
Another community highlight is the ‘ITB Berlin Goodie Bag Hunt’: every day, the social media team will hide a bag of surprises on the grounds. A clue on the official Instagram channel leads to the trail – and whoever finds it first gets to take the bright orange bag home.
Inspiration, ideas and industry history
With the launch of the ITB Global Travel Collection, ITB Berlin 2026 presents a high-quality publication highlighting historical developments, current trends, innovations and leading personalities and visionaries in global tourism. A free copy is available at every entrance. A digital version is also available with videos and additional content.
To mark the sixtieth anniversary of ITB Berlin, the Travel & Tourism Report 2026/2027, a comprehensive industry analysis with key performance indicators (KPIs) for the international travel and tourism industry, is available at the special price of 60 euros. You can purchase the report here from 23 February 2026. This offer is valid until 5 March 2026.
Also at Hub27, the exhibition entitled ‘Destination Europe: A Journey in Posters’, organised in cooperation with the Museum of Tourism and the European Travel Commission, presents around 30 iconic European tourism campaigns from various decades. The exhibition impressively documents the change in tourists’ desires as a visual show.
Energy, sound and service for the community
The Powered by ITB – Energy Balls, to be distributed at the entrances throughout the trade fair while stocks last, will ensure an energy boost for visitors.
The specially curated Songs for Weltenbummler playlist on Spotify provides a musical background to the anniversary ITB. Whether travelling to the show, during your stay or after the event – the ITB Berlin soundtrack offers inspiration every step of the way.
Online accreditation for press representatives and bloggers/creators
You can register online here now.
Please note the accreditation guidelines. After your application has been processed and approved you will receive an email with a PDF containing your accreditation, press badge and a personal QR code. Please display this QR code at the entrance. Your ticket is non-transferable. You can register and obtain accreditation online around the clock for the entire duration of the event.
About ITB Berlin and the ITB Berlin Convention and ITB 360°
ITB Berlin 2026 will take place from Tuesday, 3 to Thursday, 5 March as a B2B event. Since 1966, ITB Berlin has been the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show, and taking as its slogan. ’Discover the stories behind 60 years of legacy’ is celebrating its sixtieth anniversary in 2026. At the ITB Berlin Convention and under the heading ’Leading Tourism into Balance’, 400 leading speakers from business, science and politics will discuss current and future industry challenges on four stages featuring 17 theme tracks. At ITB Berlin 2025, 5,800 exhibitors from more than 170 countries and territories displayed their products and services to almost 100,000 visitors. With ITB 360°, the 365-day global innovation hub that is ITB Berlin now offers the worldwide tourism community year-round insights in the shape of specialist articles, podcasts and other innovative formats.
Additional information is available at www.itb.com and from the ITB News & Insights & Social Media.
Press releases can be found online at itb.com under Press Service / Press Releases.
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