Covid-19 and Sustainable Tourism on Agenda of ITB Virtual Convention

International tourism industry experts, on Thursday, December 10, will come together to discuss how the coronavirus pandemic has impacted sustainability efforts in the hotel sector, the cruise industry and at destinations during the ITB Virtual Convention on ITB.com.

Amid the Covid-19 crisis, topics such as climate protection and environmental awareness in tourism have faded more and more into the background. During this year’s final session of the ITB Virtual Convention, Rika Jean-Francois, CSR commissioner for ITB Berlin, will moderate a panel discussion under the theme, “COVID-19: a catalyst or pitfall for sustainability in tourism?”.

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.

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.

Furthermore, with the Travel Hero Podcast, ITB invites industry personalities, dedicated newcomers and inspirational globetrotters to have their say live in the studio.

In addition, a new series titled “300 seconds with…” was recently launched, which gives travel experts precisely five minutes to highlight a topical issue.

ITB Berlin next year will hold its annual international travel trade show as an entirely virtual event under the name ITB Berlin NOW – “The Digital Meet-up for the Travel Industry” during March 9-12, 2021.