Travel Best Practice CSR Pays Dividends
David Reutz of Messe Berlin
“Are CSR concepts in the tourism industry only niche products or are these best practice examples actually trendsetters with a potential impact on the entire industry?”
This was the question set the high level panel on day two of the ITB CSR programme – including such big hitters as John Koldowski of PATA and David Ruetz of Messe Berlin (hosts of ITB).
The “CSR at Work“ panel examined examples of best practice in international tourism. Following an introductory paper by David Ruetz, Senior Manager ITB Berlin, a discussion round featuring leading figures debated what objectives corporate concepts are pursuing and the impact of CSR concepts on the industry overall.
The packed hall heard that Voluntourism is now the fastest growing sector of the burgeoning adventure travel market. Said Richard G Edwards of the Planeterra Foundation “Our sponsors GAP Adventures can hardly handle the current demand – customers are just blowing the door off in Toronto”
In the spirit of CSR David Reutz frankly admitted that the climate balance analysis of ITB was “terrible” but all that was needed was to switch on the light of CSR.
John Koldowski brought Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs into the discussion asserting that we were still at the bottom of the triangle but going up.
And Gopinath Parayil invoked Shakespeare’s ghost with the statement that “Some are born with CSR, some achieve CSR and some have CSR trust upon them”
Whatever happens with CSR in the travel and tourism industry, it seems that it doesn’t lack high-level protagonists.
Valere Tjolle
Valere
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026