ITB Launches Year-round Virtual Market

The International Tourism Exchange ITB Berlin (March 16-20, 2002) has launched a virtual market place with more than 2,500 exhibitors on its site, www.itb-berlin.de. The virtual fair provides a 24-hour means of communication and information between exhibitors and visitors throughout the year.

According to fair organizers, the site is designed to meet the requirements of its users, whereby exhibitors can establish their virtual stand using simple input methods. In addition to company information, the virtual stand allows the exhibitor to showcase ten products and innovations. This includes the facilities to illustrate the text with images, a list of contents and technical details.

The site has specific functions for visitors, as well, who in addition to visiting company stands and e-mailing exhibitors, also can make use of the information function and search engine.

Furthermore, the heading ‘Similar Products’ within the site allows visitors to find comparable products and services provided by all the other exhibitors. With such trade specific information, the Virtual Trade Fair provides smaller exhibitors with a platform to maintain their presence in a highly competitive market, says fair organizers.