The programme of the ITB Berlin Convention 2013 has been finalised. ITB Berlin 2013 Convention features discussions on the latest tourism issues and topical themes, confirming its role as the global travel industry’s leading think tank. From March 6-8, 2013 at the tenth edition of the event, leading speakers representing tourism, industry and politics will discuss the main themes concerning the travel industry, both now and in the years ahead. They include major trends in industry and society, developments in the cruise market and in the hotel industry of the future.
Dr Martin Buck, director of the Competence Center Travel & Logistics at Messe Berlin: “Currently in its tenth year, the ITB Berlin Convention has long established itself as the world’s largest tourism convention. Over the years we have welcomed more than 100,000 trade visitors at over 800 events, and papers have been delivered by more than 2,000 leading speakers. Its success is proof that obtaining up-to-the-minute knowledge and finding out about future-oriented concepts and best practices is indispensable to ensuring survival in a constantly changing market.”
The topics to be discussed at the ITB Future Day will include changes in consumer behaviour and travel patterns, the challenges posed by climate change and the prospects for information technology. The ITB Hospitality Day will focus on the hotel industry of the future. Students, tour operators and hotel managers will debate Generation Y’s expectations regarding travel and hotels. At the ITB Marketing and Distribution Day, award-winning travel journalist Doug Lansky will deliver a keynote asking why, despite social media, travellers are becoming increasingly unsociable and why those who represent responsible tourism act in irresponsible ways. The Innovation Forum will take a look at new target audiences, products and business models that are certain to have a long-term effect on market structures. They include the trend towards social travel und collaborative consumption and the increasing numbers of tourists from Muslim countries and their special needs.
The ITB Destination Days will examine the challenges facing international destination management and the outlook for the future. The focus at the ITB Destination Days will also be on Azerbaijan, next year’s Convention and Culture Partner, and on Indonesia, the partner country of ITB Berlin 2013.
On the ITB CSR Day, leading figures from industry and politics will present concepts, examples of best practices and the economic prospects for sustainable tourism. Under the heading of “Holiday encounters in the light of CSR“, a Studiosus meeting will ask if a code of conduct is necessary and examine the role of tour operators and guests with regard to meeting local residents On 6 March 2013 the Young Professional Day will offer newcomers to the job market and academically qualified young employees in the travel industry ideas for shaping their future.