GERMANY - The Berlin convention industry is reporting growth for 2009, with the release of new statistics, despite the economic downturn.
Statistics released by the Berlin Convention Office show increases in events held, hotel nights and attendance.
Approximately 108,000 events took place in Berlin in 2009, a four per cent rise compared to 2008. The city also hosted around five million hotel nights, six per cent more than in 2008.
The statistics also show a one per cent increase in attendance at the major events monitored, up to 8.26m.
CEO of Berlin Tourism Marketing, Burkhard Kieker, says: “This year we wish to continue our successful run by stepping up our commitment on important markets like the United Kingdom and with our own office in the USA.”
The Berlin meetings and convention industry employs approximately 29,500 people.
