Berlin/Potsdam, 10. Februar 2015 From 4 to 8 March 2015, Germany's capital region will once again be making a tandem appearance at ITB Berlin. As in previous years, Brandenburg and Berlin will be presenting their tourism highlights at a shared 1,600 m2 stand in Hall 12. TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH and visitBerlin will be representing a total of 79 tourism services providers at ITB 2015, 43 from Berlin and 36 from Brandenburg.

The tourism marketing organizations have chosen to focus this year's stand on the wide range cycling opportunities available in the two neighbouring German states. The stand will provide expert advice and the chance for visitors to take virtual rides on segments of some popular tours. As they push the pedals of the tandem bicycle, the monitor will show videos cycling routes such as Berlin to Copenhagen, the Spree cycling trail, Berlin to Usedom, or selected Berlin neighbourhood tour. The video will play faster or slower depending on the speed of pedalling. A large touch-screen display will provide a lot more information about these and other routes.

The countdown is on. Brandenburg looks forward to the Federal Garden Show coming to the Havel Valley

Brandenburg's tourism focus for 2015 is the Bundesgartenschau (BUGA: Federal Garden Show) coming to the Havel river region from 18 April to 11 October. The country is hosting the BUGA for the third time and looks forward to presenting guests with a completely new, decentralized BUGA concept. For the first time, the Federal Garden Show will be held at five different locations simultaneously, with as much as 80 km between sites. The sites are connected by the River Havel which flows through each of them. A concept ideally suited for spending several days in the region and perhaps adding a trip to Potsdam and Berlin. The BUGA will have its own special area at the ITB Berlin stand, decorated with a host of flowers giving a foretaste of the upcoming spring season and the opening of the Federal Garden Show.

New Berlin online information offer invites visitors to go off the beaten path

Berlin's heart is in its neighbourhoods, often off the well-beaten tourist path. Berlin will be presenting a new tourist information tool in Hall 12. Guests will be able to explore the unique atmosphere of each Berlin district, complete with tips, tours, event listings and short videos about all 12 districts. At the ITB Berlin stand, guests can use the new tool to experience a book tree, urban gardening, and a secluded Berlin rear courtyard.

Berlin Bar offers samples

Berlin's nightlife is famous all over the world, with its clubs and wide range of bars a magnet for visitors from both Germany and further afield. The "Berlin Bar" in Hall 12 will showcase different bars and hotels that make their home in Germany's capital, together with samples of their cocktail creations. The bar will be a major attraction for visitors, journalists and guests alike.

More information can be found at www.reiseland-brandenburg.de and www.visitBerlin.de

Service Information for the Media at ITB Berlin

The TMB Tourismus-Marketing Brandenburg GmbH and visitBerlin Press Offices will have a press office at the shared stand in Hall 12. The following are available for conversations:

TMB

• Birgit Kunkel, Head of Corporate Communications/Press Officer

Tel. +49 (0)170 22 46 823, birgit [dot] kunkelreiseland-brandenburg [dot] de

• Patrick Kastner, Corporate Communications/Deputy Press Officer

Tel. +49 (0)151 46 19 64 71, patrick [dot] kastnerreiseland-brandenburg [dot] de

• Regina Zibell, Press Tours/Press Relations, Foreign Markets

Tel: +49 (0)175 222 00 36, regina [dot] zibellreiseland-brandenburg [dot] de

• Steffen Lehmann, Online Media Specialist/Blogger Relations

Tel. +49 (0)172 783 12 10, steffen [dot] lehmannreiseland-brandenburg [dot] de

visitBerlin

• Christian Tänzler, Press Officer/ Media Relations Manager

Tel. +49 (0)171 86 43 124, christian [dot] taenzlervisitBerlin [dot] de

• Katharina Zierenberg, Deputy Spokeswoman

Tel. +49 (0)157 72 6475 10, katharina [dot] zierenbergvisitBerlin [dot] de

If you'd like to arrange a longer conversation, we recommend making an appointment. Please contact us at the following email addresses:

pressereiseland-brandenburg [dot] de and pressevisitBerlin [dot] de