Continuation: The Economy

In the years since the end of the division of Germany, Berlin has regained its favourable geographical position as a centre for trade fairs and exhibitions. Its proximity to the European neighbours to the east and the traditional good contacts over many years in the international exhibition business are strengthening Berlin as a fair and congress centre. National and international fairs and congresses are organised and carried out by the fair company, Messe Berlin GmbH. It is one of the ten top fair companies in the world in terms of turnover, and as the operator of the International Congress Centre ICC Berlin it is one of the ten most important congress organisers in the world. The fair complex beneath the radio tower is conveniently close to the city and offers 160,000 square metres of hall space. It is the setting for a large number of major international fairs, exhibitions and congresses such as the International Tourist Fair (ITB), which is the leading trade fair in its area and the world’s largest service fair, the Consumer Electronics Exhibition (“Internationale Funkausstellung”) as a world-wide fair of communication and entertainment electronics, the International Air and Space Travel Exhibition Berlin-Brandenburg (ILA), the International Green Week, one of the oldest and largest agriculture and produce exhibitions, and the International Building Exhibition (bautec).

Every year, eight million overnight stays are booked in the city. Berlin is the most popular city destination in Germany. The Berlin tourist trade is preparing for a growing influx of visitors. With more than 52,000 beds, the city offers overnight accommodation for all. This is one of the most important business sectors in the city, with over 50,000 employees and an annual turnover of about five billion DM. The agency Berlin Tourismus Marketing GmbH is responsible for advertising and for providing tourist information centres to help visitors.