Hello, and welcome back to ITB Berlin NOW. Today, I think the “key” word is probably “resilience”.
Indeed, the feedback we’re getting from all those taking part in this year’s event is that despite the heavy knock-out punch that has been received by the global travel industry, hope springs eternal and all are confident there will be a strong comeback over the next two years. To this end, today’s keynote interview at 10:15am with the Honourable Edmund Bartlett – Minister of Tourism of Jamaica, by CNN’s Richard Quest, will be very timely. Titled “Resilience and Recovery of Tourism Destinations”, its content will be of vital interest to each and every person attending the show. Following this, at 11:20, the ITB Resilience Roundtable (with Jacobs Media and the Resilience Council) will see thought leaders from the public and private sector discussing policies that have been or will be launched… and their impact. With Government Ministers from Kenya and Bosnia-Herzegovina, along with the CEO of Global Rescue and WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara all taking part, this will be a not-to-miss session.
Today’s keynote interview at 10:15am with the Honourable Edmund Bartlett – Minister of Tourism of Jamaica, by CNN’s Richard Quest, will be very timely.
So just where is the industry headed? Pent-up demand will drive a recovery in travel and tourism over the next few years. But, the shape of the recovery will vary across countries and regions, and by segment. This morning at 10:35am, Charuta Fadnis, Senior Vice President, Research and Product Strategy for Phocuswright, will share the organisation’s projections for key markets through 2024 and delve into the trends and technology that will influence post-pandemic travel in “Looking ahead: travel market projections and technology trends”.
In the afternoon – at 5pm, European Capitals of Smart Tourism – The Road to Recovery will see representatives of the 2020 European Capitals of Smart Tourism – Gothenburg (Sweden) and Málaga (Spain) presenting how they address the current challenges in the tourism sector, how they see the road to recovery and how they became European Capitals of Smart Tourism.
LGBT+ tourism is very much under the spotlight, with a high point being the LGBT+ Leadership Summit at 5:15pm.
And for DMOs, the ever-changing travel landscape, and how to keep up with the new traveller will be the key topics of the DMO Masterclass by Google at 6pm.
Don’t forget to drop by the ITB Berlin NOW cafés for a chat afterwards. I look forward to seeing you there!
