ITB Berlin 2007: Wellness Hall combines 'active' programme

Growth sector goes on display with trend products, a wellness experience, plus speakers at the ICC Berlin

A look at Hall 16 at the ITB Berlin is certain to be beneficial to visitors’ health. This is where numerous exhibitors will be presenting the latest in wellness trends, services and products at the forthcoming ITB, the world’s leading travel trade show. In addition, an extensive ’active’ programme that lets visitors experience massages and applications will be making sure they can physically relax. Following last year’s big success the Wellness Trade Forum is taking place again, on Thursday, 8 March 2007.

Testing wellness applications

An on-stage live demonstration of a cupping massage will be showing visitors that this is indeed a therapy to enjoy. The programme of activities also lists unusual massages with apple peel applications and herbal stamps, and hand massages with ayurvedic aromatic oils will tantalise the senses. Singing bowls therapy produces a pleasant rhythmic sensation and is a source of harmony. The Wellness Hall will also be offering preventive healthcare in the shape of an electronic heart scan, exercises to help strengthen back muscles, all part of an initiative entitled ”Rückhalt für Deutschland“ by the German Medical Wellness Association.

Numerous German and foreign exhibitors

Among the exhibitors participating are some well-known German companies, including beauty24, Wellness-Hotels Deutschland, the German Medical Wellness Association, First Class Genießen + mehr, Hotel an der Therme and Vila Vita Hotels + Touristik. International exhibitors attending the world’s largest travel trade show include spa prestige, who manage hotels in Poland, and Gran Canaria Spa from Spain.

Wellness Trade Forum on 8 March in the ICC Roof Garden foyer

With over 300 participants, last year’s Wellness Trade Forum was well received by visitors to the fair. Taking place on Thursday, 8 March in the ICC Roof Garden foyer, the 2007 congress will once again be providing an in-depth focus on Wellness issues at the ITB Berlin. Scheduled events include Thorsten Grießer from Inter Component Ware AG speaking on the subject of “Health coaching – online health programmes for the home“, and Claus Lauprecht from the International SPA & Wellness Association talking about “Medical wellness – a marketing bubble or wellness plus?“. Jens-Jörgen Middeke and Alexandra Graf from the Institute of Leisure Management will be presenting findings from the latest surveys on 2007 wellness trends. Other topics include Bali as a wellness destination and a presentation of the Ducal Parkhotel Bad Driburg’s new business strategy “from spa visit to wellness hotel“. Olaf Seiche from Quality Field Management of the TÜV Rheinland Group will be introducing the quality seal for upmarket spa and wellness resorts. Programme details are available shortly at www.itb-berlin.com, with further information listed in the events calendar.