ITB Berlin Convention to focus on 'power of transition'

ITB Berlin Convention 2025 will offer a comprehensive programme with exciting innovations to guide a travel industry in transition.

 

ITB Berlin 2025, the world’s leading travel trade show, will take place from March 4 to 6 March as a B2B event. As in previous years, the internationally acclaimed ITB Berlin Convention will take place parallel with the show as a live event on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. 

 

Under this year’s heading 'The Power of Transition lives here’, more than 400 leading speakers from business, science and politics will examine current and future challenges facing the industry on four stages and at a total of 17 theme tracks. 

 

To help navigate the extensive offerings, four stages will host the numerous sessions, which can be attended onsite or, for the first time, streamed live via the ITB Navigator.

 

Later, they will also be available on ITB Berlin’s YouTube channel. The ITB Navigator, as the central event platform, offers detailed information on the exhibitor list, convention and event programmes, and hall maps. Access to the ITB Berlin Convention is included with exhibitor, trade visitor, and media accreditation tickets for ITB Berlin.

 

17 theme tracks 

On the Orange Stage in Hall 7.1, speakers will explore developments in marketing and sales as well as the long-term sustainability of the industry. The WTCF (World Tourism Cities Federation) is Stage Sponsor of the Orange Stage. The Future Track, Marketing & Distribution Track, and Responsible Tourism Track offer valuable insights on topics like sustainability and climate impact assessments. 

 

Highlights include presentations by Mitra Sorrells (Senior Vice President Content, Phocuswright) and Zoritsa Urosevic (Executive Director, UN Tourism). Microsoft Advertising is Track Sponsor of the Future Track, Google is Track Sponsor of the Marketing & Distribution Track, and Studiosus is Session Sponsor of the Responsible Tourism Track.

 

Also in Hall 7.1, the Blue Stage provides a vital platform for tour operators, airlines, tourist boards, cruise companies, hoteliers, and other industry players. Tracks such as the Tour Operator & Travel Sales Track, Carrier & Cruise Track, Destination Track, and Hospitality Track deliver diverse perspectives and strategies. 

 

Among the featured speakers are Dimitrios Buhalis (Bournemouth University) and Vicki Miller (Visit Scotland), who will discuss the role of AI in destination marketing. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is Partner of the Destination Track.

 

The Green Stage in Hall 3.1 focuses on specific target groups and special interest offerings. The ITB Masterclass, Diversity & Inclusion Track, MICE Track, Youth, Adventure & Outdoor Track, and Business Travel Track examine trends across various travel segments. Sebastian Gonzalez (Associate Director Europe, Business Events Sydney) and Jan Christensen (Project Manager MICE, HA Hessen Agentur) will discuss new developments in destination marketing. For the first time, the Green Stage will also include the new Corporate Culture Clash Track, addressing challenges in workplace culture and corporate environments.

 

In Hall 6.1, the red eTravel Stage centers on the digitalization of marketing and sales. Tracks such as the eTravel Track, Hospitality Tech Track, Tours & Activities Track, AI Track, and Destination Travel Track offer deep dives into technological advancements and challenges, covering topics like AI, the metaverse, hyper-personalization, Web3, and blockchain technology. Notable speakers include Ann-Kathrin Harms (Head of the CEO’s Division, German National Tourism Board, DZT) and Leah Rankin (Chief Product Officer, SiteMinder). 

 

ITB Transition Lab

For the first time, the new convention format ITB Transition Lab will offer concise, high-value information. Marketing experts from the destinations and hospitality sectors will present data-driven recommendations in 90 minutes. Participants will gain twenty essential insights along with a selection of important tips and advice.

 

At ITB Berlin 2024 more than 5,500 exhibitors from 170 countries and territories displayed their products and services to almost 100,000 visitors. With ITB 360°, the 365-day global innovation hub that is ITB Berlin now offers the worldwide tourism community year-round insights in the form of specialist articles, podcasts and other innovative formats. - TradeArabia News Service