ITB Berlin 2026: Host Country Angola opens anniversary edition with gala show - Get updated on what's happening in tourism!

The 60th anniversary edition of ITB Berlin, taking place from 3 to 5 March 2026, will officially open on 2 March with a gala hosted by this year’s Official Host Country, Angola. The evening will combine political addresses, artistic performances and immersive visual productions to present the country’s cultural heritage, natural landscapes and contemporary creative energy.

Under the theme “The Rhythm of Life”, around 700 to 800 invited guests from politics, the global tourism industry, media and international organisations are expected to attend the opening ceremony. A colourful stage programme featuring Angolan music, dance and visual storytelling will set the tone for the anniversary edition of the trade show.

Among the anticipated guests are Kai Wegner, Governing Mayor of Berlin; Dr Christoph Ploß, Federal Government Coordinator for Maritime Economy and Tourism; Gloria Guevara, President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC); Shaikha Nasser Alnuwais, Secretary-General of UN Tourism; and Dr Mario Tobias, CEO of Messe Berlin. The evening will be hosted by H.E. Márcio Daniel, Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Angola, and H.E. José de Lima Massano, Minister of State of the Republic of Angola.

“We are very excited to be the Official Host Country of ITB Berlin 2026. This partnership offers a unique opportunity to showcase Angola's cultural diversity, natural beauty and uniqueness on one of the most important international platforms,” said H.E. Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Angola. “With our new brand identity, ‘Visit Angola – The Rhythm of Life’, we not only want to show how vibrant and authentic Angola is, but also to invite the international travel industry to experience the rhythm of the country with all their senses.”

“It is a special privilege for us to present Angola as the host country on the international stage at ITB Berlin 2026,” said Julia Kleber, CEO of the KLEBER GROUP and official representative of the Angola Tourism Board. “The country combines impressive natural worlds – from spectacular coastlines and vast deserts to imposing waterfalls and ancient rock landscapes. The Rhythm of Life stands for this energy, diversity and openness. We are all the more delighted and proud to raise Angola’s profile as an authentic new destination in global tourism.”

A cultural journey from tradition to modernity

The opening gala will centre on Angola’s cultural identity. The specially composed production “Travessia – From Traditional to Modern” unfolds as a sequence of artistic moments that trace the evolution of the country’s musical heritage.

The performance begins with the dikanza, played by Dr Raul Tolingas, a prominent figure in traditional Angolan music. Its rhythm serves as a symbolic thread throughout the evening, representing memory and cultural continuity. Congas, guitars and percussion expand the soundscape, while a young musician continues the rhythm, illustrating intergenerational dialogue. Guitar solos by Dr Teddy Nsingui shape the musical narrative before piano and violin introduce contemporary elements. Traditional styles such as semba, rebita and rumba are reinterpreted in a modern form.

Choreography mirrors this transition, blending folkloric elements with contemporary movement. Large-scale LED installations accompany the performance, visually interpreting Angola’s landscapes – from the Kalandula Falls and the vast Namib Desert to the Atlantic coastline – and translating them into an immersive stage production.

Cuisine as cultural expression

The evening’s culinary concept reflects the host country’s thematic focus. Michelin-starred Angolan chef Helt Araújo will reinterpret traditional ingredients in a contemporary style, presenting a menu that highlights the flavours, colours and textures of Angola.

Angola presents itself as an emerging destination

Throughout ITB Berlin 2026, Angola will provide in-depth insights into its tourism potential, highlighting natural landscapes, cultural diversity and hospitality. The country aims to position itself as an authentic destination for adventurers, nature lovers and culturally interested travellers, while underlining its ambitions on the international tourism stage.

Image Credit: © Kleber Group