This
year some 500 senior buyers representing the international
travel industry have been accepted as members of
the exclusive ITB Berlin Buyers’ Circle, which offers services
reducing the workload of the industry’s best buyers.
The
international members making up this year’s ITB Buyers’ Circle
come from Europe, the USA, Canada, South America, Australia, Asia and
Africa. At 51 per cent, more than half of its members are from
outside Germany, both from every EU country and from 38 non-EU
countries. Their overall spending capability is 1.5 billion euros. 61
per cent of the members are tour operators, 11 per cent represent the
corporate travel and MICE sectors.
The
services of the ITB Buyers’ Circle will considerably save buyers’
time and significantly increase their efficiency. The exclusive ITB
Buyers' Circle Lounge is located in the Marshall Haus on the Berlin
Exhibition Grounds and with its separate meeting rooms in quiet
surroundings offers excellent opportunities for networking at length.
The members of the ITB Buyers’ Circle also benefit from gaining
free admission to ITB Berlin and Fast Lane access to the exhibition
grounds as early as 9 a.m. They can also make use of the Europcar
shuttle service on the grounds and will receive a trade visitor
ticket to ITB Asia from 23 to 25 October 2013.
David
Ruetz, head of ITB Berlin, is responsible for setting up this circle
for tourism industry buyers: “By creating the ITB Buyers’ Circle
we are offering leading buyers from the international tourism
industry a suitable environment, concentrating valuable resources and
thus significantly reducing their workload. Intense networking and
obtaining the latest industry information are crucial to a buyer’s
success. The ITB Buyers’ Circle is another ideal platform for
ensuring a successful visit.“
Buyers
involved in the operations of small and medium-sized enterprises and
of larger companies from the global travel industry were able to
apply for
membership of this circle. The ITB Buyers’ Circle targets product
managers and active buyers. A decision on membership will be taken
after application
forms have
been submitted and individually checked. The aim is to reflect the
entire spectrum of the industry.
