Activity Report: ITB Berlin 2026 Tourism Fair

Data: March 3-5, 2026
Location: Berlin, Germany

Background Event: 170 participating countries and 5,800 exhibitors. Romania was present with 30 co-exhibitors.

The HORETIM Employers' Association participated, together with Timis County Council, Visit Timis and Produs în Banat, in three relevant moments for the visibility of the region: the International Tourism Exchange ITB Berlin 2026, the promotional event organized at the Romanian Embassy in Germany and the Danube Salon.

The aim of participation was to promote Timiș destination, The activities included the organization of the stand, gastronomic tastings, B2B meetings and diplomatic discussions, all aimed at increasing the visibility and generating relevant contacts for HORETIM members.

1. Organization and Representation at the Romanian Stand

• Infrastructure: Destination Timis was represented through 3 desks: HORETIM, Visit Timis and Visit Timisoara.
• Stand activation (March 04, 2026): HORETIM organized a tasting event with traditional products, wines and beers, generating traffic and direct interaction with visitors.

2. B2B Development, Marketing and Promotion

Applied discussions were held with international operators and agencies to generate tourist packages and increase the visibility of Timisoara and Timis County:

• Incoming tour operators: World Synergy Travel, East European Experience, Transair Agency, Lucian Boronea, representatives Rm. Vâlcea, Back Trip (company specialized in wine tourism) and Elite Travel Group (Albania).
• Industry associations: Danube Boilers Association, Danube Austria Association.
• Marketing & PR firm: Global Communication (Frankfurt), Cabvertising, Romanian and international influencers.
• Private meeting SS tourism Timis: discussions on local tourism, creating group packages and promotion strategies.

3. Cultural Tourism Diplomacy and Institutional Partnerships

A. Romanian Embassy in Berlin

• Event organization: HORETIM was the main partner together with Visit Timis for the „Promotion Tourism Event”, presenting the project Banat GER 2028.
• Work agenda with the Embassy:
  • Obtain official support for the promotion of Banat RGE 2028;
  • Organize an event to launch the destination Timis on the occasion of the new Berlin-Timisoara flight (21 May 2026);
  • Planning promotion at the German Book Fair (October 2026);
  • Diplomatic promotion project (Christmas cards and personalized Banat-branded cards for collaborating embassies);
  • Strategy for Romania's integration in the Danube Hall 2027/2028 and the organization of a Danube event in Timisoara;
  • Initiating approaches to DWR (Organization of German Tourist Agencies) for working meetings in Romania.

B. Donau Salon - 11th edition

• Participants: 500 people, representatives of the Danube regions and diplomats.
• Strategic meetings with regional leaders and diplomats:
  • President Donau Salon;
  • Vojvodina Minister of Tourism and CEO of NTO Serbia;
  • Moldovan Ambassador to Germany and Romanian Ambassador to Germany (applied discussions for promotion support);
  • Director of ICR Berlin;
  • German Saxon Association (agreement to promote their cookbook).
• Agreements to promote Banat's gastronomy and culture.

C. Working Meeting - Minister Secretary of State and Timis Representatives

Common guidelines were agreed on:

• Expand presence at international fairs (Frankfurt, Shanghai);
• Strengthening the „Authentic Banat Product” concept;
• Seizing the opportunities of Expo 2027.

Conclusions on the effectiveness of participation

HORETIM's participation in Berlin went beyond mere exhibition, materializing into an intensive work agenda. Our results are measured in:

• Over 20 direct B2B contacts with operators and marketing agencies;
• Coordination of tastings and stand activities;
• Positioning HORETIM as the main dialog partner for diplomatic and cultural institutions;
• By putting our major projects (Banat RGE 2028, the Berlin-Timisoara flight, the Danube Fair) on the agenda of international and governmental partners, we have secured the visibility of our region in the medium and long term.

Impact for members:
These activities generate concrete opportunities for collaboration, international visibility and strengthening the image of HORETIM as a reliable partner in tourism and gastronomy.