ITB Virtual, COVID-19 and the impact on Sustainability in Tourism

Berlin, Germany, December 11, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / At the ITB Virtual Convention on ITB.com, industry experts talked about how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted on sustainability efforts in the hotel trade, cruise industry and at destinations

At the year’s final session of the ITB Virtual Convention, leading industry experts discussed how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted on sustainability in tourism. On Thursday, 10 December 2020, from 12 midday to 1 p.m. CET – a panel moderated by Rika Jean-Francois, CSR commissioner for ITB Berlin, discussed ’COVID-19: a catalyst or pitfall for sustainability in tourism?’. During the coronavirus crisis, topics such as climate protection and environmental awareness in tourism have faded more and more into the background. Lucienne Damm, senior environmental manager TUI Cruises, Randy Durband, CEO Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), Peter-Mario Kubsch, CEO Studiosus Reisen, and Julia Massey, vice president Global Sustainability, Kempinski Hotels, will discuss whether, after emerging from the pandemic, policymakers will drive sustainability issues again or focus primarily on an economic recovery. The speakers will also offer their views on whether as a result of domestic tourism, fewer flights, cruises and city breaks, more environmentally friendly travel will become more widespread anyway. Those attending the online session can also find out about the concrete sustainability plans that tour operators, destinations, cruise organisers and hotels can pursue in the future.

The session will be streamed live in English and will be available shortly afterwards to anyone interested as a video on demand.

With the ITB Virtual Convention, ITB has cemented its position as the virtual think tank for the international travel industry, and by providing live-streamed and on-demand sessions offers wide-ranging insights into and perspectives on the relevant tourism issues of our times. Decision-makers from the global B2B travel industry can also get daily industry news on ITB.com and network with each other over the ITB Travel Network. And with the Travel Hero Podcast, ITB invites industry personalities, dedicated newcomers and inspirational globetrotters to have their say live in the studio. A new series entitled ’300 seconds with…’ was launched recently, which gives travel experts precisely five minutes to highlight a topical issue.

With ITB Berlin NOW, which will take place from 9 to 12 March 2021, ITB is providing a virtual platform for the global B2B travel industry. Anytime. Anywhere.’, visitors can take advantage of many services, including networking, individual exhibitor information and industry news. Visitors can also follow live-streamed discussions with leading tourism experts at the ITB Berlin Convention taking place at the same time.

About ITB Berlin and the ITB Berlin Convention
ITB Berlin 2021 will take place from Tuesday, 9 to Friday 12 March as an entirely virtual event and be open to trade visitors only. ITB Berlin is the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show. In 2019 a total of 10,000 exhibitors from 181 countries displayed their products and services to 160,000 visitors, including 113,500 trade visitors. As part of the virtual ITB Berlin the ITB Berlin Convention, the largest travel industry event of its kind, will also take place as a virtual event.