18 NEWS Rika
18 NEWS Rika Jean-François CSR Commissioner, ITB Berlin a voice”, said Rika Jean- Francois, CSR officer at ITB Berlin. “Against a backdrop of climate change, growing ocean pollution, alarming human rights abuses, overtourism and global warming the need for this has never been more urgent.” SUSTAINABILITY A BIG TOPIC AT THE ITB BERLIN CONVENTION Large visitor flows are increasingly posing major challenges, particularly for big cities. Accordingly, overtourism is a topic that numerous speakers will address at the ITB Convention. Today, Wednesday, 7 March at the ITB Future Day, together with will talk about technology for controlling visitor flows. In his keynote speech on Thursday, 8 March, Doug Lanski will ask whether, faced with overtourism, digitalisation and new forms of travel, destination managers should perhaps start thinking in terms of ‘smart destinations’. Also on the Thursday, at 2.30 p.m., speakers on the eTravel stage will ask whether overtourism has also become an issue in Germany. On Friday, 9 March, Destination Day 2, tourism experts will highlight how digital technology can help to manage visitor flows outside cities too. On CSR Day, tourism experts will discuss the difficulties and opportunities and Prof. Dr. Niko Paech of Universität Siegen, will take part in the unconventional Hot Seat format and discuss the ambivalent relationship between tourism and sustainability. On Thursday, 8 March 2018, ITB Berlin 2018 will see a continuation of last year’s theme, the International Year of Sustainable Tourism declared by UNWTO, in the shape of the Sustainable Development Day. Together with the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BIZ) and the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) speakers will spend the afternoon discussing this topic in Room 7.1a. Focus on Ecological and Social Responsibility at ITB Berlin Overtourism, integrating refugees and the financial viability of social tourism projects and more Overtourism, integrating refugees and the financial viability of social tourism projects: these are just some of the key topics that this year’s ITB Berlin will examine under the ‘sustainability’ heading. From 7 to 9 March 2018, on the days open to trade visitors, experts from around the world will discuss key issues and possible solutions at the ITB Berlin Convention, on the stages in Hall. 4.1 and at numerous other forums. “Our aim is to make use of the unique international platform that ITB offers to give sustainability and responsibility in tourism Margaux Constantin, Associate Principal of McKinsey, Gloria Guevara Manzo, President and CEO of WTTC, will present the latest McKinsey report. On Destination Day 1, based on a survey conducted by the German Society for Tourism Research (DGT) and the Association of Scientific Experts in Tourism (AIEST), representatives of a number of cities concerned, including Barcelona, Amsterdam and Dubrovnik, will present their respective measures to counter overtourism. Also today, under the heading of ‘Smart Destinations’, speakers OUR AIM IS TO MAKE USE OF THE UNIQUE INTERNATIONAL PLATFORM THAT ITB OFFERS TO GIVE SUSTAINABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY IN TOURISM A VOICE that the booming sharing economy presents. Furthermore, for the first time at ITB Berlin, the OECD will present its findings on financing the development of sustainable tourism. Michael Lutzeyer, manager of the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve South Africa, Once again, the show will dedicate a day to barrier-free access, and on Thursday, 8 March 2018 at the CityCube the DZT will hold the Accessible Tourism Day. On Wednesday, 7 March, this year’s Studiosus discussion will examine the impact of the recent tourism boom in Greece FOCUS ON CSR AT NUMEROUS OTHER EVENTS The seminar on Gender Equality in Tourism at the Palais am Funkturm on Thursday, 8 March, International Women’s Day, will be of special significance. On average, women in the tourism industry continue to be paid less and seldom occupy higher positions. This seminar, which will be the start of a new series, will deal with this topic and let women from various parts of the world have their say. Directly afterwards, the presentation will take place of the Celebrating Her awards. Held for the third time, the event is organised by the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) in cooperation with ITB Berlin and will honour five women from around the world for their important contributions to tourism ITB BERLIN NEWS • Wednesday 7 th March 2018 www.itb-berlin-news.com
19 GoBe Gathers Momentum Gina Dunnett Director, Product Development & Travel Experience, GoBe GoBe.com, launched in March 2017, is a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Cruises Tijl Timmer Key Account Manager DACH, Emesa Guiding The Modern Dutch and Belgian Explorers Gina Dunnett is Director, Product Development & Travel Experience at GoBe. com, a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Cruises. We asked her to tell us about GoBe.com, which launched in March 2017. We’re bringing ashore all that Royal Caribbean Cruises is known for – great experiences, fantastic global destinations, and a thoughtful selection of “must do” activities to check off everyone’s bucket list. Every day we hand pick tours, shore excursions, tickets to attractions, transfers and more that would allow our travellers to “Experience Everywhere”. Are you interested in particular travel themes? At GoBe, we strive to offer a great experience to every type of traveller but particularly Millennials and multi-generation families. With Instagram and Facebook, we have a new generation whose persona is defined by their experiences. What are you hoping to gain from this year’s ITB Berlin? Reinforcing our relationships with suppliers is key – especially those who signed on with us when GoBe.com was just a collection of wire frames. Equally as critical is forging new partnerships with tour and attraction providers that may not previously have worked directly with a company like us. How important is the speed dating organised at ITB for you? I consider GoBe’s participation in the speed networking sessions to be essential. The meeting request and scheduling communications that take place between myself and exhibiting companies I may never have been introduced to otherwise are vital to making the show a success. I CONSIDER GOBE’S PARTICIPATION IN THE SPEED NETWORKING SESSIONS TO BE ESSENTIAL. Why did you decide to join the ITB Berlin Buyers Circle, and what, for you, are the key advantages of being a member? Last year was the first time we participated in the ITB Berlin Buyers Circle and I could not have been more pleased with how effective the services were in connecting me with potential business partners. Last year, I returned feeling incredibly satisfied with the many new connections I made with companies globally, many of whom are now working with us ITB Berlin News spoke to Tijl Timmer, Key Account Manager DACH at e-commerce player Emesa about his business and his mission at ITB Berlin 2018 With over 100 million visits per year, three million satisfied consumers and awarded the prestigious title of website of the year for the fifth consecutive year, we are the Dutch market leader in the travel and leisure sector for dynamic pricing. Through innovative websites such as VakantieVeilingen and ActievandeDag, we have been creating new sales channels for our business partners since 2004. With an average of seven million visits per month, VakantieVeilingen is the market leader in the travel and leisure industry through online auctions. Are you particularly interested in particular travel themes (i.e. adventure, business, family, youth, luxury, etc.)? We are particularly interested in offering city trips, family trips, F.I.T, wellness, hiking holidays, holiday houses, camping sides etc., mainly in West Europe. Our guests demand more and more value for money and good guest review notes. What are you hoping to gain from this year’s ITB Berlin? I especially hope to gain new hotel partners and holiday house partners who want to get higher occupancy within the low and middle season within a very short time. Why did you decide to join the ITB Berlin Buyers Circle, and what, for you, are the key advantages of being a member? A few years ago, a business partner of mine recommended attending ITB Buyers Circle. For me it’s a big advantage that I can plan the most interesting meetings at the Marshall House in a pleasant environment. The possibility to get a shuttle service to the different halls is excellent with those long walking distances. How important is the speed dating organised at ITB Berlin for you? Last year, I was really surprised about the ITB speed dating session. This kind of sales tool is very useful to get fast leads within a very short time I ESPECIALLY HOPE TO GAIN NEW HOTEL PARTNERS AND HOLIDAY HOUSE PARTNERS ITB BERLIN NEWS • Wednesday 7 th March 2018
