ITB 2008 met by transport workers strike
BERLIN (eTN) – This year’s edition of the biggest travel trade show in the world, ITB Berlin, is getting off to a somewhat rocky start as transport workers have commenced their strike the very same day as the start of the show.
ITB Berlin has addressed the issue by undertaking a number of measures to assist visitors arriving at the world’s leading travel trade show.
According to the show’s organizers, a free bus shuttle has been set up to and from the car park at the Olympic Stadium. Visitors to the ITB Berlin can park there and get to the exhibition grounds without delay.
In addition, capacities on the free ITB Berlin City Shuttle serving the Exhibition Grounds have also been increased. (Line A via Unter den Linden26/ Friedrichstr. – Leipziger Platz and Line B via Wittenbergplatz – Kurfürstendamm). The special bus services transferring visitors to the hotels participating in the shuttle service are also guaranteed.
The ITB Berlin also advises passengers arriving on domestic and foreign flights to use other forms of transport such as the railways or car rental services. Important information for all visitors whose arrival at the ITB Berlin may be delayed as a result of the strike: as an alternative, trade visitors can make use of the Saturday and Sunday, March 8 and 9, for their discussions.
An information ticker is already in operation on the home page of the ITB Berlin website (www.itb-berlin.com) suggesting alternative travel arrangements.
As a result of the ongoing strike, some 150 flights across Europe have been cancelled. German carrier Lufthansa said it was scrapping the domestic and European services as a precaution, as some airport employees were among the public-sector staff joining the action. Workers are demanding a pay increase of 8 percent.
In 2007, ITB attracted almost 11,000 exhibitors and 177,155 visitors and 108,735 trade visitors, respectively. This year, these numbers are even expected to grow.
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