Botswana will be the official partner country of ITB Berlin in 2017, it was announced at a press event at ITB Berlin on March 9.

The announcement follows an agreementsigned by Botswana Tourism Minister Tshekedi Khama II and Dr. Christian Göke, CEO of Messe Berlin.

According Khama: “The Botswana Tourism Organisation has taken the opportunity to become the partner country of ITB Berlin 2017 in order to share Botswana’s nature conservation achievements with the rest of the world and to raise general awareness of this country. Botswana’s role as the partner country of the world’s largest travel trade show will ensure the long-term attention of the global tourism industry. It will not only place the spotlight on Botswana’s tourism successes but will also focus attention worldwide on our potential for economic development. In the past Botswana has achieved great success that has remained largely unnoticed around the world. Botswana will also benefit from this year’s fiftieth anniversary of ITB Berlin. Numerous activities and events will give us the opportunity to market and promote our country as a tourism destination and to improve our returns on investment.“

This year Botswana celebrated 50 years of independence. Often referred to as one of the last remaining gems of Africa, the country was quick to realise its potential as a tourism destination. The Republic of Botswana has been exhibiting at ITB Berlin every year since 1984, in an aim to make people around the world aware of its special attractions. Next to the diamond industry, the most important branch of the economy, the tourism sector currently already accounts for five per cent of GDP.

At ITB Berlin 2017 Botswana, the partner country of the show, will be organising the opening event on March 7, 2017, and from March 8 to 12, 2017 will be entertaining visitors to ITB Berlin with a wide-ranging programme of events. - TradeArabia News Service