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16 ITB BERLIN CONVENTION CSR Climbs on Priority List At ITB Berlin Convention, corporate social responsibility is at the heart of debates Rika Jean-François CSR Commissioner, ITB Berlin Tina Hirt Head of Human ResourcesTravelmanagement, Festo AG & Co. KG Susanne D. Schick Senior Manager, Fraport AG At the ITB Corporate Social Responsibility Day on 7th March, prominent experts from the tourism industry and politics gathered to discuss strategies, best practices and the economic potential of sustainable tourism. The world’s leading travel trade show also set the tone with a focus on human rights in tourism. Furthermore, at the ITB CSR Day ITB Berlin signed an agreement committing to support human rights in tourism. At ITB Berlin, for the first time a management concept was laid out that advises tour operators on how to address the issue of human rights. A new guide provides companies with practical tips to assist its implementation. Jenny Rushmore, director of Responsible Travel Tripadvisor, and Deirdre Shurland, senior consultant, UNEP Tourism & Environment Programme discussed how marketing heads can successfully communicate the idea of sustainable tourism in exciting ways. Ms Rushmore stated: “Responsible travel can encompass many different areas. We have only just started in our journey at TripAdvisor, so our first step is focussing mostly on the environment. The Green Leaders’ Program is primarily environmental. The idea of having environmentally responsible practices in the hotel is certainly becoming increasingly common. Properties that receive the highest scores range from luxurious, expensive hotels through to budget chain properties, small B&B’s and motels. It’s clear that a lot of people have the basic messages and are starting to do the right thing, but I think there is still a lot of room for improvement. We are highlighting properties that are doing all the best practices, explaining exactly why a hotel is in the program and what they do. We are hoping to educate the public, and encourage other hotels to look towards the role models, thinking ‘if they can do it, so can I’.” For their part, cruise tour operators have come under fire as regards their approach to sustainable tourism. In an interview Thomas P. Illes, a cruise market analyst, university lecturer and journalist, and Dr. Henning Brauer, principal consultant, DNV GL, and former head of Neubau Europa 2, Hapag Lloyd Kreuzfahrten, discussed new Association technologies and how effective they are. In this respect, Cruise Lines International (CLIA) CEO Christine Duffy told ITB Berlin News, “Cruise lines are investing very heavily in new technology that’s available today to reduce emissions, cut down on our carbon footprint and soften our impact on the environment. It is a journey that’s never finished. I know in Europe, with the work that CLIA does with the International Maritime Organisation, there is an ongoing focus looking at lower sulphur marine fuels and the availability of those fuels.” Business Travel for Women Risks and requirements for female business travellers The proportion of business trips made by women has reached 50% in the USA, Northern Europe is still a little behind at 40%. Revealing these figures in her convention speech, Tina Hirt, Head of Human Resources Travelmanagement, Festo AG & Co. KG, addressed those issues faced uniquely by the female business traveller - primarily issues of safety, comfort and cultural sensitivity. “Researching destinations and planning ahead are essential,” she said, highlighting the different attitudes to women, the serious religion-based expectations of dresscode and behaviour in different countries, from Afghanistan to Mexico, but also the dangers of “finding yourself alone, at night, waiting for a transfer.” Ultimately, she advised pragmatism, preparation and common sense. During the ensuing panel discussion asking if travel managers should be affording special treatment to female clients, the overall consensus was that women and men travelling for business have identical requirements – from health & wellbeing in hotel facilities to conveniently-organised transfers. As Susanne D. Schick, Senior Manager, Fraport AG said “We are so emancipated now we don’t need special rules, but there are certainly things that can make our travel more safe and comfortable” - from chainlocks and women-only floors, to skirt-hangers and less-complicated shower controls. ITB BERLIN NEWS • Tuesday 18 th March 2014 www.itb-berlin-news.com
TRADE TALK 17 Meeting Place for Top Buyers The ITB Buyers Circle focuses on top buyers from the operational departments of medium-sized to large enterprises in the global travel industry The exclusive ITB Buyers Circle Lounge provides 700 top buyers of the tourism industry with a separate meeting room facilities in a private atmosphere onsite. About half the buyers are German and the other half from international markets. The Buyers Circle offers free entrance to the trade fair and the ITB Berlin, as well as the convention (and a free trade visitor ticket for ITB Asia). For Buyers Circle members, there’s no waiting time thanks to the Fast Lane and a special shuttle service. And the Buyers Circle Lounge with refreshments, meeting rooms and relaxation area is popular. Members can sit in the work zone with free internet, trade journals and newspaper. Or book a meeting room for a private business session. There’s even a massage service on-hand to relieve some of the physical tension that comes with high-powered business. This exclusive Circle of Buyers is a free service, reserved for a hand-picked list from the operational departments of medium-sized to large enterprises of the global travel industry. If you interested, you can actually apply for the ITB Buyers Circle 2015 when the next application round starts in November 2014. Contact is at itbbuyerscircle@messe-berlin.de You may have seen the interviews with members of the Buyers Circle in each day’s issue of ITB Berlin News. Our reporters stopped in and chatted with several members at random. Richard Welker Managing Director Welldays, Switzerland Welldays travel agency was established in September 1999 under the name of “wellness holidays” and has been specializing in high quality health and wellness holidays. The owner Richard Welker explains why he is here at ITB Berlin, “Everybody is here. We are looking for hoteliers and also talking to DMCs. The conference Susanne Leinzinger Hotel Buyer, Montana Touristic GmbH, Germany Montana Touristic GmbH is an incoming agency exclusive partner of Thomas Cook Group since 1993. Their hotel buyers touring every year all over Germany in order to expand the portfolio for the tour operator. Ms Leinzinger is visiting ITB for the first time. “ITB Berlin is very big, very impressive,” she notes. “It’s important for us to meet contact Casey Yoon Michael Stuewe was very useful as we were particularly interested in the online marketing sessions.” “I am packed with meetings,” notes Welker, “with only a free half hour here or there. Most of my appointments were booked three weeks in advance. If you don’t have an appointment, you won’t be able to get in to meet the right people you need.” here, as well as to see what’s happening in the industry. We’re doing contracts with hotels in Germany only, so most of our meetings were booked one month ahead.” Her advice to other visitors new to ITB Berlin: “You have to know where to go on the fairgrounds, otherwise you can easily be lost.” Product Manager Croatia, Slovenia, Montenegro for Category Management AutoReisen, TUI Deutschland, Germany TUI Germany GmbH is one of the leading travel and leisure companies in Europe. Based in Hannover, Mr Stuewe is a Product Manager with specific geographical responsibility covering Croatia, Slovenia, and Montenegro in the Category Management AutoReisen. Jayden Kwak Team Manager in the Sales Team Manager in the Sales & Marketing & Marketing Division Division Jason Travel Service, Korea Jason Travel Service is recognized as one of the prestigious travel agencies in Korea, with 20 years of experience in high end honeymoon, family and corporate incentive markets. At least 30% of their business is repeat business from a loyal customer base. “We are here to find partners,” says Mr Yoon. “ITB Berlin is so big, and it’s my first visit. It’s a good thing that ITB Berlin makes such clear directions to get around this large show” “It is extremely convenient to have access to the Buyers Circle with lounge.” “Most of my clients are in one hall so I’ll be here just two days,” explains Mr Stuewe. He is a veteran of many ITB Berlin and still finds the Buyers Circle as an important service. ITB BERLIN NEWS • Tuesday 18 th March 2014
