Berlin  - African exhibitors at the world's largest travel fair are on the lookout for new income streams, as the consequences of the global financial crisis loom large for the continent.

Flags are flying at Berlin's ITB travel fair for South Africa, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Algeria and Uganda.

Experts predict that many of Africa's developing countries could be amongst the worst-hit, as funding and investment channeled to the continent dries up due to the global economic downturn.

Berlin  - Italy's first ever state secretary for tourism emphasised the role of the travel industry to combat the deepening global recession during a visit Wednesday to the world's biggest travel fair (ITB) in Berlin.

Tourism Secretary Michela Vittoria Brambini said that, at times of economic hardship, "it is all the more important to encourage those branches of the economy that generate wealth and create possibilities in the short term," adding that Italy was well positioned to do so.

Berlin - The world's biggest travel fair (ITB) opens its door this week against the backdrop of a deepening global recession with officials reporting Tuesday a fall in the number of exhibitors attending the five-day event.

The world travel industry is gathering in Berlin amid signs of falling demand as both consumers and business cut back their travel plans in the face of the biggest downturn in the global economy since the Great Depression.

Now the sea lovers can cruise their way to their favorite destinations as the recession makes the cruise industry to come up with all kinds of cruise deals to attract the consumer. This includes attractive offers like discounted airfare, free tickets for kids, onboard credits, lower deposits and deals on cancellation insurance.