The last few years we have travel to Germany in April. We have had to avoid Frankfurt due to the heavily attended International Book Fair. I was trying to find the projected dates for 2016. My Google skills may be poor; I can find no mention of it. Does anyone here know the dates or even if the fair will be held in 2016? Thanks.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9222 posts
The word used in Germany for a trade fair is Messe . The Frankfurt Book Fair is always in Oct. There are other trade fairs/conventions that are in April. Good idea to avoid visiting Frankfurt and the towns around during the big fairs.
http://www.messen.de/de/116/in/deutschland/hessen/frankfurt-am-main/uebersicht?offset=50
For March in 2016, the Luminale and the Light+Building Messe will make hotels scarce. The Music Messe and IMEX in April are both huge fairs. In fact April looks to be a tough month to visit.
If you are using a hotel consolidator like www.hrs.com you will quickly see when a big fair will be happening as it is usually easy to get a nice hotel here for 65-85 € per night. If you aren't seeing hotels for those kind of prices, that means a big Messe is scheduled or some other big event.
Posted by
OP
Salt Lake City
1528 posts
Thanks Perry and Jo. I was obviously confused about which fair was happening. I use HRS.com. That was where I learned that prices were way out of my range the last two Aprils. I can not blame Frankfurt for making money. I have had the same experience with Nürnberg, another popular place for trade fairs. I will just check once my wife's vacation schedule becomes firm. Thanks again.
Posted by
Calgary
2297 posts
It's no surprise that tourists often have to compete with trade fair visitors. Germany is the world's no. 1 location for hosting international trade fairs. Around two thirds of the world's leading trade fairs take place in Germany. Big fairs take place not only in Frankfurt and Nürnberg but also in Berlin which hosts the world's largest tourism fair, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Munich, Hanover with the world's largest computer and industrial fairs, Leipzig with another book fair which is still on my bucket list. Essen is not really a tourist destination but hosts the world's largest trade fair for board games, which is indeed fun even for tourists! And many more ...
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
2088 posts
Like to add the following if "Messes" not deterring, but attracting, like those for car aficionados:
International Motor Show - IAA Frankfurt September 17 – 27 / 2015
Essen Motor Show (tuning, customizing etc.) November 28 – December 6 / 2015
And not to miss about classic / vintage cars: Techno Classica Essen April 6 – 10 / 2016.