ITB Berlin continues the climate debate

Travel and tourism companies, ministries and tourism boards from all over the world converge at the global travel trade’s largest convention - ITB Berlin - this March to continue their discussion on climate change

Last year an outstanding discussion event on climate protection at the ITB Future Days ensured that the global travel trade's largest convention drew widespread industry attention to the topic of climate change and tourism. The focus at ITB Berlin 2008 is again on the environment and about 12 events on climate protection and sustainability will be taking place at this year's ITB Berlin Convention Market Trends & Innovations.

ITB Future Day: Adapting to new realities

At the ITB Future Day, UNWTO General Secretary Francesco Frangialli and the subsequent discussion round moderated by Geoffrey Lipman will set the stage for a climate debate. Among those attending will be ministers, CEOs of airlines, the hotel trade and other high-ranking decision-makers.

The title of the event on Wednesday, March 5 is 'Tourism - responding to climate and poverty imperatives.' In the wake of the 2007 conference in Bali and as part of the scheme to implement the UNWTO Davos Declaration, this will highlight strategic guidelines on how the global travel and tourism industry should confront climate change.

Prof Dr Norbert Walter, chief economist of Deutsche Bank, Eric Heymann, senior economist, Deutsche Bank AG/DB Research, and Philipp Ehmer, Deutsche Bank AG/DB Research, will be holding papers on 'Tourism in 2030' and showing how climate change is reshaping tourism. Their information is based on a survey called 'Climate change and tourism' due for release at ITB 2008, which is an analysis by Deutsche Bank Research. The survey names the winners and losers as a result of climate change and suggests ways to adapt.

ITB Hospitality Day: Environment concepts of hotel trade

The main topics at the Hospitality Day on Thursday, March 6 will include environmental concepts of the hotel trade, which an event under the heading of 'Green Hotels' will examine. Speakers will be Ed Fuller, CEO Marriott International, Tony Williams, Emirates Hotels & Resorts, Dr Manfred Stock of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and Dr Michael Hartmann, Siemens Technology. The event will be moderated by experts Welf Ebeling, executive VP and COO of The Leading Hotels of the World, and Maria Pütz-Willems, hospitalityInside.com.

ITB Aviation Day: Is commercial aviation destroying our climate?

The focus of discussion is on commercial aviation because of its impact on our climate. On Friday, March 7 at the ITB Aviation Day, there will be a dual focus on this highly controversial topic, with high-ranking figures attending the Solar Impulse forum chaired by Dr Bertrand Piccard. An adventurer and scientist, he developed the first solar-powered glider, and now plans to highlight the opportunities for research and innovation with renewable energy sources by circumnavigating the world with a craft that uses no fuel and produces no toxic emissions. He has already completed a non-stop circumnavigation of the world in a hot-air balloon. Among other topics the ITB Aviation Day will discuss the viability of solar technology in commercial aviation.

Some leading names will be getting to grips with a hotly contested issue: Is commercial aviation destroying our climate? They include Andrew Harrison, CEO easyJet, Eric Heymann, senior economist, Deutsche Bank AG/DB Research, Dr Rainer Ohler, senior VP (Public Affairs & Communications), Airbus, Dr Janina Scheelhaase, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, and Dr Tanja Wielgoß, GM of Bundesverband der Deutschen Fluggesellschaften.

Destination Forums: Climate protection and sustainability

On Thursday, March 6 a session under the heading of 'Progress in tourism research', co-organised by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Tourismuswirtschaft, will be introducing particularly successful methods for developing unique and effective destination products. Prof Dr Anders Levermann of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, and Prof Dr Hansruedi Müller, director of Research Institute for Leisure & Tourism at the University of Bern will be presenting the scientific facts on climate change and be talking about the impact on tourism.

Also on March 6, leading figures will be taking part in an event on the subject of sustainable tourism in the Mediterranean. This is organised by Europäische Investitionsbank (EIB) and admission is by invitation only.

New: The ADAC Tourism Forum

On Friday, March 7, the ADAC Tourism Forum will be taking place for the first time at the ITB Berlin. Leading experts from the tourism and transport industry will be taking part in the debate under the heading 'Tourism by car in the age of climate change'. They include Heinrich Beckmann, management spokesman of DB AutoZug GmbH, Dr Peter Brandauer, Mayor of Werfenweng and president of Alpine Pearls, Dr Gordo Jain, government executive officer, Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation & Reactor Safety, Markus Graf von Oeynhausen-Sierstorpff, classic car racer, Albert Kockelmann, division manager at ADAC and co-ordinator for motorcycles, classic cars, car marques and local clubs, and Dr Peter Zimmer, manager (Tourism & Travel Services) at ADAC. ADAC vice president for Tourism Max Stich will provide an introduction to the discussion round with some expert information.

Africa Forum: Zero footprint tourism

Do travellers from industrial nations honour zero footprint projects in Africa? What does a zero footprint tourism infrastructure look like? The Africa Forum will be taking up these topics on Thursday, March 6. The issue will be about how to ensure that air travellers can still visit Africa in the face of climate change. Best practice examples from other industries will be highlighted to show that zero footprint tourism is possible in Africa too.

Business Travel Supplier Day: Respecting the environment

The topic of the Business Travel Supplier Day on Saturday, March 8. will be, are providers a driving or driven force? This is the controversial question that Oliver Graue, chief editor of biztravel, will be asking the panel guests: Patricia Benz, global director (sales), Germany, Austria & Switzerland, The Rezidor Hotel Group, Michael Führer, director (sales), Germany AirPlus International, Anja Hänel, Verkehrsclub Deutschland, and Torsten Kriedt, senior director (consulting & practice development), BCD-Advito.