Tourism Malaysia made official partner of ITB Berlin 2019
BERLIN: Malaysia will be promoted to over 19 million tourism and travel trade professionals over the next 12 months after Tourism Malaysia signed up to become the official partner for ITB Berlin 2019.
Touted as the world’s leading travel trade show, ITB Berlin is attended annually by over 10,000 tourism companies from 186 countries, and represents the perfect opportunity for Malaysia to promote its Visit Malaysia Year 2020.
Tourism Malaysia chairman Datuk Siew Ka Wei said being the official partner country to ITB ( Internationale TourismusBörse, or International Tourism Market in German) was the right move since the Malaysian government had made the tourism industry a priority under the national economic plan.
“Being placed on the world stage like this, even more than before, will be an essential part of our government’s strategy in putting Malaysia at the forefront of the minds of international tourists when they consider travelling in this part of the world.
“Tourism is increasingly important as part of Malaysia’s GDP, and we recognise that it is an essential element in revitalising rural villages and creating employment, while also forging new cultural ties with people from around the globe,” said Siew at the handing over ceremony of the official partner here on Sunday.
ITB head David Ruetz said Malaysia has had a very serious presence at ITB Berlin for many years, and that “we have been very impressed by the development of this nation’s tourism offering.”
As the partner country of ITB Berlin 2019, Malaysia will organise the opening ceremony on March 6, 2019 at the CityCube Berlin exhibition hall.
Tourism Malaysia will also showcase the country, its culture and tourism attractions from March 7-11 at ITB Berlin.