What is ITB Berlin 2026?
ITB Berlin is considered the world’s leading B2B trade fair for the travel industry – where destinations, airlines, hospitality, tech providers, MICE professionals, and media meet to close deals and set trends. In 2026, ITB celebrates its 60th anniversary and accompanies the expo with its own anniversary campaign, including a look back at six decades of tourism history. In parallel, the ITB Berlin Convention runs as a think tank with keynotes, panels, and deep dives.
When and where will ITB 2026 take place?
The date is set: Tuesday to Thursday, March 3–5, 2026, daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, at the exhibition grounds Berlin ExpoCenter City, Messedamm 22 – right next to the Funkturm. ITB thus remains a compact three-day format in early March, ideal for annual planning, product launches, and international delegations.
What are the main topics?
The main themes remain: Sustainable & Regenerative Tourism, AI & Automation along the entire Guest Journey, Payments & Distribution, Experiential Luxury, and Workforce & Education. Additionally, the focus on diversity is growing – from LGBTQ+ Travel and accessible travel to responsible adventure tourism. In the sessions, industry leaders, startups, and destinations discuss concrete playbooks instead of mere visions – which is precisely what has made the ITB Convention a must-attend event for years.
How is the trade fair structured?
In addition to the geographical segmentation by destinations, ITB presents market-relevant segments under one roof: from Adventure & Responsibility to LGBTQ+ Travel, Luxury, Medical & Health, MICE, and Travel Technology. Those looking for innovations will find them in the Tech Halls; those curating cultural and nature trips will find what they need in the themed areas. Additionally, the ITB Berlin Convention provides the content program – admission is already included in the Trade Visitor Ticket.
Who is ITB for?
ITB is consistently B2B: decision-makers from tourism, sales, marketing, product development, travel tech, and media work here in a concentrated manner over three days. Whether you want to address new markets as a destination, meet distribution partners as a hotel group, showcase solutions as an OTA or SaaS provider, or plan your portfolio as a buyer – the density of appointments and opportunities is unique. For content creators, press teams, and analysts, the convention also offers reliable insights and ready-to-publish case studies.
What makes the 2026 edition special?
For its 60th anniversary, ITB focuses on the industry’s development – from its beginnings as a tourism exchange to today’s global platform. Special anniversary formats, curated highlights on the grounds, and a “Future meets past” campaign are expected. The combination of expo, convention, and anniversary elements will make 2026 a stage for strategies concerning sustainability, digitalization, skilled workers, and new target groups.
How do I get tickets – and when do they go on sale?
Trade Visitor Tickets are available via the ITB Ticket Shop; Convention participation is already included. According to ITB, sales usually start in December before the trade fair. Tickets are sold exclusively online in advance – there are no on-site box offices! Tip: Register early, as some side events and sessions are limited, and meeting slots are quickly booked.
How do I best plan my trade fair visit?
Set clear goals – leads, appointments, sessions – and build your hall plan around them. The grounds are large but logically laid out; multiple entrances (including North, South, CityCube) facilitate access to target halls. You should realistically plan for travel times, especially between Tech Halls, CityCube formats, and destinations. Those who want to experience the full package combine expo appointments during the day with convention sessions in the morning or late afternoon.
Where can I stay?
If you are still looking for accommodation for ITB Berlin, we at little BIG hotels have just the thing for you. Our six hotels in Berlin not only offer comfortable rooms and modern furnishings, but also a great location. And we also offer you a discounted stay. With the discount code LBH_ITB26 you save 5% for overnight stays from 02.03.2026 to 06.03.2026. By the way, group bookings are possible with us from 5 rooms. The exhibition center is located in the west of Berlin, optimally connected via S-Bahn (Messe Süd/Westkreuz), U2 (Kaiserdamm or Theodor-Heuss-Platz) and bus lines. By taxi/Uber you can be on site from almost all our hotels in 20 to 30 minutes.
Conclusion
ITB Berlin 2026 brings together the global travel industry for three days – with an anniversary flair, a high concentration of decision-makers, and a convention program that connects practice and future. Those who want to kickstart internationally in 2026 should firmly plan for Berlin, block March 3–5 in their calendar, and secure tickets and appointments early. After that, the roadmap for the travel year is clear – and the network is significantly larger.
