German Travel Association President praises “very impressive” opening for Georgia’s showcase at ITB Berlin fair

Norbert Fiebig, the President of the German Travel Association, on Tuesday praised the “very impressive” opening event for ITB Berlin. Photo: PM's press office

Agenda.ge, 07 Mar 2023 - 15:12, Tbilisi,Georgia

Norbert Fiebig, the President of the German Travel Association, on Tuesday praised the “very impressive” opening event for ITB Berlin, a major international tourism fair that showcases Georgia as its Host Country in the 2023 edition.

Fiebig said he was a “big fan of Georgia” after attending the opening show on Monday that involved traditional Georgian dances and music performances to mark the country’s status in the event.

Photo: GNTA

The 45-minute cultural programme involved a brief look at the Georgian history starting from the Greek myth of the Argonauts to the present day, while also featuring performances of ethno jazz and classical music artists. The stage also was set for electronic music producers and the Sukhishvili Georgian National Ballet. 

I am a big fan of Georgia, what I saw yesterday at the gala opening was very impressive. Everyone I talked to was full of the same impressions [...] After what we saw at the gala opening, it is really worth it to travel to Georgia, which has an extraordinary tradition of hospitality and is distinguished by its cuisine”, Fiebig said.

Photo: GNTA

The Association President noted Georgia had “a lot to offer the world”, adding hosting ITB Berlin “means a lot” for the country. 

Georgia is still not fully in the focus of the tourism industry and its full potential has not yet been discovered. The presentation of Georgia at this exhibition did what you needed - grabbed the attention”, he said.

Photo: GNTA

About 3,000 guests attended the official opening show under the heading “Infinite Georgian Culture - From the Beginnings of Viticulture to Modern Avant-garde Art”.

Photo: GNTA

The cultural programme also involved the popular Rustavi Ensemble in their performance of polyphonic singing, while also featuring violinist Liza Batiashvili, composer and musician Dato Evgenidze and experimental music producer Nika Machaidze.