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Bremerhaven and Bremen: Dispute over ITB participation settled!
Bremen and Bremerhaven are planning to take part in the ITB 2026 in Berlin, despite financial challenges and critical voices.
Bremerhaven and Bremen: Dispute over ITB participation settled!
Preparations for the International Tourism Exchange (ITB) in Berlin are taking shape. Bremerhaven and Bremen have decided to take part in the important trade fair together after participation was initially canceled due to a lack of funds. How buten and within reports, Bremen's Senator for Economic Affairs, Kristina Vogt (Left Party), and Bremerhaven's SPD Mayor Melf Grantz agreed on financing in a conversation. Each city will contribute up to 40,000 euros from city tax funds to create the conditions for a trade fair presence.
ITB Berlin is considered the heart of the global travel and tourism industry and will celebrate its 60th anniversary in March 2026. Exhibitors and trade visitors from all over the world are expected under the motto “Discover the stories behind 60 years of legacy”. The trade fair is divided into different market segments, including adventure tourism, business travel and luxury travel, and the ITB Berlin Congress provides a space for experts to discuss trends and innovations. The trade fair therefore represents a valuable platform for the industry and could open up new opportunities for Bremerhaven and Bremen to position themselves.
A step forward despite challenges
The decision to participate in the ITB comes after a difficult time for the two cities, as they were not scheduled to take part in the trade fair in 2024 for the first time in decades. This project was a result of austerity measures in the departmental budget of the economic authority, which led to a feeling of concern among local politicians. Grantz expressed concerns about the negative impact on the tourism industry, while SPD parliamentary group leader Sönke Allers called for greater consideration of Bremerhaven. Despite the acceptance of the participating cities, Vogt emphasized that the decision was not directed against joint marketing, but was an expression of Bremen's current financial situation and the need for savings, as in the case Weser courier reported.
The last participation of the two cities in the ITB took place in March 2023. The newly designed stand cost around 600,000 euros at the time and the trade fair presence recently caused costs of around 200,000 euros. Nevertheless, the Bremen Economic Development Agency (WFB) received positive feedback after participation and held over 300 discussions, which underlines the importance of the trade fair. From 2027, Bremen and Bremerhaven would like to start planning again and clarify under what conditions later participation would make sense and how this can be financed, possibly through cooperation with Lower Saxony or corporate investments.
Overall, this development shows that, despite financial challenges, there is a willingness to use and expand the tourism potential of the two cities. The ITB seems to be taken as a welcome opportunity to put the tourist treasures of Bremen and Bremerhaven in the spotlight.