ITB Berlin Convention to Focus on Social and Ecological Sustainability

The ITB Berlin Convention, considered the world’s largest travel industry event of its kind, will focus on social and ecological sustainability during its 2023 edition.

Running parallel to the ITB Berlin between March 7 and 9, it will be held live on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds this year, following 2022’s virtual event which saw 60,700 registered attendees from 125 countries who took part in more than 100 sessions featuring 223 speakers.

The ITB Berlin Convention this year will offer an extensive program consisting of keynotes, CEO interviews, panels, pitches and discussion rounds separated in 15 thematic tracks.

Photo source: ITB Berlin.

Responsible Tourism and Sustainable Destination tracks

At ITB Berlin, responsible tourism stands for environmentally and socially responsible tourism around the world.

Hall 4.1 is where traditionally numerous exhibitors with a strong commitment to socially responsible tourism are gathered. Thus, there will again be a combined stand with Tourism Watch, the Roundtable on Human Rights in Tourism, ECPAT Germany, The Code and Studienkreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung, together with the stands of the Import Promotion Desk (IPD), the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and UNESCO.

Hall 4.1, will house the 18th Green Business Forum for tourism professionals. Exhibitors in Hall 4.1 and leading international experts representing every tourism market, business and science will discuss topics including overtourism, marine protection and pollution, regional foods in hotels and restaurants, biodiversity, alternative mobility and cycle tourism.

In addition, at Hall 4.1, exhibitors with a focus on environmentally responsible tourism will include My Climate, Atmosfair and Forum Anders Reisen.

Starting on March 7^th, the Sustainable Destination track will discuss how destinations and companies need to invest in intelligent, sustainable development and place an emphasis on the quality of life of local communities and their supply chains.

ITB’s Green Stage in Hall 3.1, will see speakers championing ideas on this subject will present their views, implementation practices and applied sciences.

Furthermore, during the same day, in addition to the long-established TO DO! Award for socially responsible tourism, Studienkreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung will for the third time present the TO DO! Human Rights in Tourism Award honoring initiatives, projects and individuals for outstanding achievements in protecting and defending human rights principles throughout the entire tourism value chain.

Hours later, the Green Destinations Group will present the Green Destination Story Awards, while during the same ceremony the winners of the ITB Earth Award and People’s Choice Award will also be announced.

On Thursday, 9 March, the Responsible Tourism track will tackle the key topics of climate change action, resilience and regeneration.

More specifically, ITB’s Orange Stage in Hall 7.1a will host an interim assessment on the Agenda 2030 with its 17 sustainable development goals.

How the tourism industry can live up to its promises on the environment while becoming a more equitable sector will be the subject of debates, scientific reports and critical panel discussions, with best practices provided as evidence.

Other topics discussed during the day, will include: climate change, rising sea levels and resilience and employment conditions in tourism, among others.

Diversity and Inclusion track

The ITB Diversity track sees itself as a discussion platform for raising awareness in order to make tourism more inclusive and fairer and to ensure respect for human rights in tourism.

Its speakers will report on activities setting examples around the world and in every tourism market. The program will feature discussions on LGBTQ+ tourism, gender equality, inclusion, equal rights, as well as the rights of indigenous people and on how war and geopolitical events impact tourism.

At the LGBTQ+ session entitled ‘LQBTQ+ Tourism und Resilience’, an announcement will also be made on the winner of the ITB LGBTQ+ Pioneer Award.

During the last day of ITB Berlin, the ITB Diversity Gala will also take place for the first time in support of the IGLTA Foundation. During the event a silent auction will conclude in support of the foundation.

Furthermore, ITB Berlin will celebrate International Women’s Day, which is a public holiday in Berlin with award ceremonies and sessions on gender equality and female empowerment in the tourism sector scheduled on Tuesday March 7^th and Wednesday March 8^th.

Under the slogan “Open for Change”, the ITB Berlin travel trade show in Germany will open its doors on March 7 as an in-person event and welcome domestic and international exhibitors.

Running until March 9, this year’s ITB Berlin will for the first time take place for trade visitors only.

Since 1966, ITB Berlin has been the world’s leading travel trade show.