Georgia is the official host nation at ITB Berlin 2023. In 1992 Burkhard Herbote, a VP for the World Tourism Community and a Tourism Hero launched Georgia to ITB.
Will prime minister Irakli Garibashviliand from Georgia and UNWTO secretary common Zurab Pololikashvili acknowledge World Tourism Community VP Burkhard Herbote once they open ITB 2023 in Berlin subsequent week?
A proud Georgian prime minister Irakli Garibashviliand and a controversial UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili should be wanting ahead to the opening of the world largest journey and tourism commerce present ITB Berlin subsequent week.
Their nation, the Republic of Georgia is the official host nation for the world largest journey and tourism commerce present.
Seen because the guru for data for the worldwide journey and tourism, German nationwide Burkhard Herbote was personally invited to witness this achievement for Georgia and ITB in Berlin subsequent week, however received’t be capable of make it. Right here is his story:
Burkhard Herbote is a VP of the World Tourism Community, an envoy for this publication because it began in 2001, and a tourism hero.
Burkhard can be a pioneer for thus many developments within the historical past of worldwide journey and tourism, and one if his help made Georgia a significant participant on this sector, an exhibitor at ITB, and now a the official companion host nation for the worlds largest tourism commerce present.
Right here is his story on how he helped Georgia to change into what the nation is immediately with reference to its standing in journey and tourism.
Herbote: That is February, 1992, one week earlier than the ITB 1992 commerce present in Berlin, Germany.
The Soviet Union simply collapsed weeks in the past. Nations that had been a part of the USSR had a mountain of issues in rebuilding their nations, and tourism wasn’t on the record of priorities.
Michail Grobatschow was elected Common Secretary of the KPdSU, the communist celebration for the USSR. He tried to protected the Soviet Union with reforms. Perestroika (adjustments) and Glasnot (Russian for openess) was on the agenda.
The chilly battle turned hotter and extra peaceable by the day. The times for the previous Soviet system was numbered. In Germany the wall in Berlin fell on November 9, 1989, and 10 months later the previous German Democratic Republic (East Germany) joined the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany).
“Germany was fortunate. As we see immediately with Ukraine the ending may have been so much much less pleased. “
Burkhard Herbote
The DDR (East Germany) was no extra and comparable adjustments had been on the instant horizon for the Jap communist block in Europe.
Many working for ITB and its organizer, Messe Berlin immediately solely know this from faculty. Many immediately by no means skilled a lethal border wall throughout the two former Germany nations.
The border wall and the position Berlin performed because the capital of former DDR in a single divided metropolis, makes this metropolis a bacon of freedom and hope for the world.
At ITB 1990 exhibitors on the DDR stand didn’t know that only one 12 months later East Germany shall be a part of one united Germany once more.
“Unity, and proper and freedom for the German fatherland” had been the primary phrases of West Germany’s nationwide anthem at the moment – and it turned a actuality.
Simply 10 days after ITB 1990 the primary free election befell within the former German Democratic Republic (DDR)
At ITB 1991 many adjustments formed a brand new world additionally for Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania and Bulgaria.
Apart from the state owned journey firms that operated journey and tourism in nations behind the iron curtain, akin to Ibusz (Hungary), Polorbis (Poland), Cedok (CSSR), Carpati (Romania), Balkantourist (Bulgaria), the primary non-public exhibitors from these nations joined their nations stand.
The identical growth was seen on the ITB stand for the previous Soviet Union. Republics that had been a part of the USSR exhibited independently. Amongst them was the Republic of Georgia.
The European map was repainted – additionally at ITB.
“My telephone rang in 1992”, Burkhard Herbote went on to elucidate:
It was a name from a Mr. Saba Kiknazde lengthy distance from the Republic of Georgia. Saba was an architect primarily based in Georgia’s capital metropolis Tbilissi. He spoke good English and informed me he was beginning his personal non-public tour firm in Georgia.
Professional for unknown unique tourism locations
He defined, a German good friend had mailed him a replica of an article printed in “Frankfurter Rundschau” newspaper saying I (Burkhard Herbote) was an knowledgeable for unknown unique tourism locations.
