The world’s biggest travel trade fair, ITB, is underway in Germany’s capital Berlin with the industry under an economic cloud.

Airlines and tour operators worldwide are suffering from the recession as companies spend less on business travel and tourists cut their budgets. Travel trade expert Dörte Bortfeldt said the effects are widespread: “People are booking different kinds of trips, for example short getaways. But fancy, expensive holiday are OK because richer clients are less affected by the crisis.” Topics being debated in Berlin include how travel companies can cut their costs and better cope with the economic crisis. The industry is also lobbying governments to make sure it is not forgotten as money is allocated for economic stimulus packages. Global tourism was down one percent in the second half of 2008 after expanding five percent in the first half.

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