Some SL travel firms withdraw from ITB
While German authorities were in talks with ITB Berlin organisers to possibly cancel or postpone the largest travel event on March 4-8, some Sri Lankan travel companies have opted out of participating this year over concerns of the coronavirus epidemic that global health experts warn could reach pandemic levels.
Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators President Mahen Kariyawasam explained that under the current circumstances they have allowed the individual travel companies to take their own decision on whether to participate at ITB Berlin or not.
In the wake of the concerns there have been some Sri Lankan companies withdrawing their participation at the event this year, even as German government and health officials have warned against conducting this event and either cancelling or postponing it.
At least 60 Sri Lanka companies had agreed to participate initially at the event and Sri Lanka Tourism authorities are also scheduled to go ahead with plans to attend the event. Already foreign media reports stated that some exhibitors, Chinese companies and travel industry readers have cancelled their participation at the event.
If ITB is cancelled it would be the first in 54 years and would clearly indicate the significant impact the coronavirus or COVID – 19 has on the travel and tourism industry. As at February 27, the World Health Organisation had stated that Germany had 21 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
This is expected to cost a number of connected organisations like airlines, hotels among others involved in hosting the event, but organisers of ITB Berlin have continuously stated they were willing to go ahead with the event as scheduled despite concerns of the epidemic already present in Germany itself.
As a precautionary measure the ITB Berlin organisers had indicated that they would continuously disinfect the site by engaging increased staff to do so and also request according to German regulations that all attendees fill out a declaration form.
Moreover, travellers with a recent stay within the last 14 days in a risk area like China’s Hubei Province including the city of Wuhan and the cities of Wenzhou, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Taizhou in Zhejiang Province; Iran’s Qom Province; Italy’s Lodi Province in the region of Lombardy and the city of Vo in the Province of Padua in the region of Veneto; South Korea’s Gyeongsangbuk-do (North Gyeongsang Province) would not be allowed entry to the venue.
In addition, any persons who have during the last 14 days tested positive for an infection with SARS-CoV – 2; and any signs of typical symptoms like fever, coughing or breathing difficulties will not be admitted to ITB Berlin, organisers stated on the official ITB website.
ITB Berlin is the leading trade show of the worldwide travel industry and, at the same time, the biggest travel show for the German public.