The largest-ever Dominican tourism industry delegation will be in the German capital, Berlin to attend the ITB from 5 to 9 March. The Dominican Republic is Official Partner Country this year and several special events have been scheduled to showcase the abundance of natural beauty and culture in the DR. At a time when Asia is luring a chunk of Caribbean market share, the DR has not been the exception to Caribbean islands showing no growth or a decline in travelers in 2007. At times of fierce competition from emerging destinations in the Middle and Far East, the Dominican travel industry seeks to promote the advantages of a Dominican vacation during this opportunity that the largest travel fair in the world provides to promote the Dominican Republic as a preferred destination.
The DR is organizing the opening ceremonies and will have exciting products and services to show both trade visitors and the general public.
Overall around 11,000 companies from 180 countries and territories will be exhibiting at the ITB Berlin 2008, and more than 100,000 trade visitors are expected to attend. Last year close to 70,000 members of the general public thronged the 26 halls on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. This year exhibitors showing everything that the tourism industry has to offer will again be occupying a display area around 160,000 square meters in size.