ITB Berlin 2026 Opens Tomorrow with Angola as Host Country Amid Global Travel Disruptions
As ITB Berlin prepares to open its anniversary edition, the global travel industry is gathering amid ongoing tensions in parts of the Middle East. Flight suspensions and route adjustments by several airlines have raised concerns about connectivity from affected regions. While organisers expect strong participation, the broader geopolitical situation remains part of the backdrop as the event opens in Berlin.
The 60th edition of ITB Berlin will take place from 3 to 5 March 2026, with the official opening gala scheduled for 2 March. This year’s Host Country, Angola, will lead the inaugural ceremony with a cultural programme highlighting its heritage and tourism offering.
Under the theme “The Rhythm of Life,” the opening event will welcome around 700 to 800 invited guests from politics, tourism, media and international institutions. The programme will combine official addresses with artistic performances reflecting Angola’s cultural traditions and contemporary creative scene.
Expected attendees include Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin; Dr. Christoph Ploß, Federal Government Coordinator for Maritime Economy and Tourism; Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC); Shaikha Nasser Alnuwais, Secretary-General of UN Tourism; and Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO of Messe Berlin. The evening will be hosted by H.E. Márcio Daniel, Minister of Tourism of Angola, and H.E. José de Lima Massano, Minister of State of Angola.
Angola will use the platform to present its tourism identity under the brand “Visit Angola – The Rhythm of Life.” According to the Angolan Ministry of Tourism, participation at ITB Berlin forms part of the country’s broader strategy to increase its visibility within international travel markets.
The opening gala will feature a curated artistic production titled “Travessia – From Traditional to Modern,” tracing Angola’s musical journey from traditional rhythms to contemporary interpretations. Performances will incorporate instruments such as the dikanza, along with percussion, guitar, piano and violin elements. Traditional styles, including semba and rebita, will be presented in updated arrangements.
Visual installations will accompany the performances, showcasing landscapes such as the Namib Desert, Kalandula Falls and Angola’s Atlantic coastline. The aim is to present a cultural narrative that connects heritage with present-day expression.
Culinary elements will also feature in the evening, with Angolan chef Helt Araújo presenting a menu inspired by traditional ingredients, interpreted through modern techniques.
Throughout the trade fair, Angola will host presentations and business meetings to highlight its tourism assets, including nature-based travel, cultural experiences and coastal destinations. A dedicated Host Country Report has also been released to provide further background on the country’s tourism development plans.
As ITB Berlin marks its 6th decade, the 2026 edition opens amid a complex global environment. Even so, the event continues to serve as a platform for dialogue, partnership-building and market outlook discussions across the international travel and tourism sector.
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