ITB 2011: Feast of sustainable tourism opens to cheers

Sustainable tourism at ITB gets bigger better and easier: download full guide

ITB got off to a great start tonight with presentations from Berlin’s mayor, the Secretary General of UNWTO and Lech Walesa together with a stunning 3D choreographed display from co-hosts Poland in front of a 4,000 strong audience who cheered the dancers and designers.

All available space has again been booked up at the exhibition, which is expecting some 100,000 trade visitors and 60,000 members of the general public to attend.

A total of 11,163 exhibiting companies and organizations (2010: 11,127) from 188 countries (2010: 187) The 26 halls cover an area of 160,000 square metres. Egypt and Tunisia will also be present at ITB Berlin, to enable their own tourism industries to make their preparations following the recent political turmoil.

And sustainable tourism at ITB gets bigger every year. In the massive Messe there are so many things to see, do and learn, so many opportunities to find – you need to plan your trip well:

See main events: www.travelmole.com/stories/1146481.php
Showcase your offer latest: www.travelmole.com/stories/1146313.php
See Vision on Sustainable Tourism Awards latest: www.travelmole.com/stories/1146609.php
See RT Networking Latest: www.travelmole.com/stories/1146417.php
Get the ITB mobile app: www.travelmole.com/stories/1146482.php
See the latest on the Silk Road: www.travelmole.com/stories/1146608.php

The most important event setting the pace is the ITB CSR Day, which was launched successfully three years ago.

Download the whole ITB day-by-day CSR programme HERE

ITB Berlin calls itself the world’s leading travel trade show and takes pride in pointing out that it ITB also stands for an ongoing engagement in promoting responsibility towards the planet, and towards society as a whole.

This year’s offer includes discussions, panel sessions and seminars and it also includes signing the Code of Conduct, the Child Protection Code – as ITB Berlin will do on Friday – speaking out against any abuse of children in tourism. It includes assisting countries like Haiti – helping the disaster stricken island to develop a sustainable tourism which could become a major income provider and could help reducing poverty.

As transport is an important pillar of travel and tourism and climate protection the big challenge the 1st Eco-Mobility Day will be held.

Also part of the Convention, the 3rd ITB CSR Day will be satisfying the constantly growing demand for exchange and discussion bringing together international leaders in the field.

On the Eco & Adventure Stage of hall 4.1 as well as in the ICC and other locations all around the fairground an impressive range of seminars and events dedicated to climate-friendly and socially responsible tourism will be presented.

Do not miss getting connected all along the supply chain: Join the 3rd International ITB Berlin Responsible Tourism Networking Event on Friday evening in hall 4.1.

And DON’T miss the VESTA presentations before the networking event in hall 4.1 at 6pm. Latest info at VESTAS

Awareness is always the first step – and ITB’s engagement and action for responsible tourism is surely another important milestone to help to establish social and environmental awareness in the international tourism industry.

Graham McKenzie
 

Sustainable Tourism Report Suite, latest special Vision offer at: www.travelmole.com/stories/1146486.php