The
programme of the ITB Berlin Convention 2013 has been finalised. Next
year’s ITB Berlin Convention features discussions on the latest
tourism issues and topical themes, confirming its role as the global
travel industry’s leading think tank.
From
6 to 8 March 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.
Admission to the ITB Berlin Convention is free for visitors to ITB
Berlin. A preliminary version of the programme can be downloaded
at www.itb-convention.com/program
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.”
On
6 March 2013, 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. Following the successful launch of the format in 2012,
the Cruise Panel will highlight developments in the cruise industry.
The keynote will be held by Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, chairman of
the European
Cruise Council and of Silversea
Cruises. Dr. Temel Kotil, CEO of Turkish Airlines,
will talk about the prospects of commercial aviation and the role of
Turkish Airlines.
On
7 March 2013, 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 a
session entitled the “Hot Seat”, two students will question hotel
managers about career opportunities and what employers expect from
the next generation. Four hotel chains will present hotel concepts
with a difference: they include a spectacle in 3-D, living in a cave
and eco accommodation in the city. The growing market for mobile apps
as a product marketing channel will also be the subject of debate.
On
8 March 2013, 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. A special survey
on internet usage carried out by
Arbeitsgemeinschaft Online Forschung (AGOF) will reveal important
findings concerning the online activities of a tourism-related target
audience. There will also be a session discussing the links
between tour operators’ customer relationship management and
new information technologies. 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 changes
facing long-distance travel and the prospects for online startups
with regard to customers and tour operators will also be
examined, with GetYourGuide as an example. Jesko Perrey,
division head
of Marketing & Sales, McKinsey, will
provide information on how to determine the return on investment from
spending on modern media
and will also highlight the failures of marketing
and communicationmanagement which a McKinsey study
has revealed.
From
6 to 8 March 2013, over a period of three days, the ITB Destination
Days will examine the challenges facing international destination
management and the outlook for the future. Topics include
fast-growing travel markets such as health tourism,
sustainable tourism and gay and lesbian travel. 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
7 March 2013 at 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 operatorsand guests with regard to meeting local
residents. Other topics include the Green Climate
Fund, the impact of water shortages on locals and tourists, as well
as the challenges and problems of putting a child protection code of
conduct into practice.
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.
