Travel Hero Podcast

In this episode of ITB's Travel Hero Podcast, we are excited to welcome a distinguished guest: H.E. Azzan bin Qassim Al Busaidi, the Undersecretary of Tourism from the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of Oman. With Oman's tourism industry on the rise, we're thrilled to delve into the unique factors that distinguish Oman's offer in a highly competitive global market. Join us as we explore what draws visitors to Oman, how authenticity is preserved amidst development, and the significance of diversity in Oman's tourism landscape. Let's embark on a journey to uncover the secrets behind Oman's tourism success with our esteemed guest.

Each morning throughout ITB Berlin, we provide you with latest news and recommendations for the day ahead. Listen in as David Ruetz, Senior Vice President Messe Berlin, shares today’s highlights (7 March) on convention tracks, what's new, exhibitors' insights and gives us their personal preferences of the day. Get inspired by what each day has to offer!

Each morning throughout ITB Berlin, we provide you with latest news and recommendations for the day ahead. Listen in as Deborah Rothe, Director ITB Berlin, shares today’s highlights (6 March) on convention tracks, what's new, exhibitors' insights and gives us their personal preferences of the day. Get inspired by what each day has to offer!

In the 300 seconds Travel Hero Podcast episode, Li Baochun, the Executive Deputy Secretary-General of the World Tourism Cities Federations (WTCF), discusses the organization's goals, purpose, and vision for the travel industry. Additionally, he highlights the role of WTCF as a co-host for the ITB Berlin Convention 2024, emphasizing the valuable offerings and events they provide for industry professionals.

Each morning throughout ITB Berlin, we provide you with latest news and recommendations for the day ahead. Listen in as Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO Messe Berlin, shares today’s highlights (5 March) on convention tracks, what's new, exhibitors' insights and gives us their personal preferences of the day. Get inspired by what each day has to offer!

In this episode of ITB's Travel Hero podcast, we are excited to welcome Bonita Grupp, Managing Director of TRIGEMA, for a 300-second conversation with podcast host Madlen Schwing from the Chair of Tourism at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Following an interesting introduction to Bonita's background and career path, the podcast delves into the unique challenges faced by TRIGEMA, the sole remaining textile manufacturer in Germany, and how it navigates these challenges in a difficult environment. With 1,200 employees from 40 nationalities at TRIGEMA, Bonita shares valuable insights into managing diversity. Additionally, she reflects on the key challenges in leadership and explains how to deal with them, which are relevant not only to TRIGEMA but also to the tourism industry. This podcast episode offers a sneak peek into the Future Work Track of the ITB Berlin Convention at the green stage in hall 3.1, where Bonita will deliver a keynote speech and participate in a panel titled 'Leading the Change: Corporate Culture in the Future Workforce’ on March 7th. With tourism industry leaders, she will explore how to foster a positive corporate culture that adapts to evolving demands.

In this episode, Cory Elford, Director of Marketing at MPI (Meeting Professionals International), joins host Lea Jordan and shares some background on MPI’s purpose and mission, her takes on the top 3 trends shaping the events and meeting industry, some best practice examples on how MPI leverages technology, and a personal tip on how to keep on top of trends. Cory Elford is a standout marketing strategist most known for applying her fresh and innovative advertising expertise to the evolving landscape of meetings and events. Make sure to join Cory’s keynote, ‘The Engagement Equation,’ at the ITB Berlin Convention’s MICE Track on March 05th at 2:30 pm CET in Hall 3.1.

In this episode, Merilee Karr, Founder & CEO at UnderTheDoormatGroup and Chair of the Board at UK Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA), joins host Lea Jordan and shares her takes on the top 3 trends shaping the short-term rentals sector and some exciting news about UnderTheDoormatGroup. Tune in and hear from Merilee Karr, a renowned short-term rentals expert. Make sure to join the panel at the ITB Berlin Convention’s eTravel Track on March 05th at 12:15 pm CET in Hall 6.1. Where Merilee Karr will discuss alongside James Cassidy from Expedia Group and Inga Flicker from HomeToGo technology trends shaping the alternative accommodations sector.

Welcome to another episode of the 300 Seconds podcast, where Karoline Wiegerink delves into the highlights of the upcoming ITB convention. Get ready to embark on a journey together with Caroline Bremner Senior Head of Travel Research at Euromonitor International. The podcast explores the changing landscape of luxury travel and its major drivers of change. Understanding the luxury travellers of the future is more than ever important. Caroline enlightens the listener of this podcast with three important value drivers: Lifestyle, purpose and wellness. Listen to this sneak preview of Euromonitor's latest research to be presented iin the first session of the ITB Hospitality Track, followed by a panel discussion of industry leaders reflecting on these trends, on Thursday 7 March on the Blue Stage, See you in Berlin.

In our new episode of the ITB Travel Hero Podcast with Dr. Patrick, Andrae, CEO and Co-Founder of Hometogo, we look forward to the new AI Track of the ITB Berlin Convention, taking place at eTravelStage in hall 6.1. on March 6, where Patrick will explain the disruptive element of AI and how it may change travel search and booking. Hometogo has already extensively implemented GenAI. Patrick will present his AI strategy on March 6th at the eTravelStage in Hall 6.1. introduce in detail. It won't be the last disruptive tech innovation in the travel business, but it will be a very fundamental one, says Andrae in our exclusive podcast. A great start to a deep dive into Travel AI live at ITB Berlin.

Our moderator Charlotte Lamp Davies of A Bright Approach had the privilege of hosting Rohit Talwar, the CEO and founder of FastFuture, as our guest on the ITB Berlin Travel Hero podcast. Rohit is set to open the Diversity and Inclusion Track at the upcoming convention, where he'll delve into the pivotal global shifts that could significantly impact diversity and inclusivity within the travel sector in the coming years. In the podcast Rohit shares with us his unique perspective on how technology can play a crucial role in addressing inclusivity issues within the travel industry. Additionally, we discuss the essential leadership capabilities needed to guide the sector through escalating uncertainty and rapid change worldwide. Be sure to catch Rohit's keynote on Tuesday, March 5th, at 10:30 am on the green stage in hall 3.1, this podcast is barely a fraction of what he will touch upon in his much-awaited keynote.

In this episode of the ITB Berlin podcast, Willy Legrand engages in a 300-second conversation with Netsai Bollmann, Programme Manager at KAZA TFCA (Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area). The podcast explores the intersection of tourism and biodiversity, offering insights into the positive and negative impacts of the industry on natural habitats. Netsai shares her perspective on the role tourism can play in protecting and restoring biodiversity, especially in the context of KAZA. This episode serves as a preview for the 2024 ITB Responsible Tourism Track, focusing on Biodiversity conservation and restoration, where Netsai will participate in a panel discussion titled "Leave No Footprints and Take only Memories: Tourism’s Biodiversity Ambitions and Results." Join the conversation on Thursday, March 7th, to explore the industry's journey towards more equitable and regenerative practices.

In our latest Travel Hero Podcast, we have the pleasure of hosting ITB Director Deborah Rothe in a conversation with podcast host Charlotte Lamp Davies from A Bright Approach. Together, they delve into the details of the upcoming ITB convention scheduled for March 2024 in Berlin, shedding light on what awaits both delegates and exhibitors. With a comprehensive conference program featuring 17 tracks and over 400 speakers and industry experts, ITB Berlin has solidified its position as the go-to platform for the travel sector to engage in discussions on global matters impacting the industry. The theme for next year's convention is "Pioneer the Transition in Travel & Tourism. Together," encapsulating the ethos that defines ITB Berlin. Whether your interests lie in diversity, geopolitics, destination trends, or technological advancements, ITB Berlin has a dedicated track for you. As we anticipate tens of thousands of visitors next year, this podcast serves as a valuable resource for you to prepare and plan your schedules accordingly. We eagerly look forward to welcoming you all from March 5th to 7th, 2024.

More than a year on from APAC borders reopening, travel is now once again a fact of life. As we finally close the chapter on ‘travel recovery’ and ‘revenge travel’, what lies ahead? How has travel demand been pacing under the cloud of economic uncertainty and inflationary pressures? What has changed in the way that travellers dream, plan, and book their trips today? And where are the biggest pockets of opportunity for travel brands in the year ahead? In this podcast, our host Charlotte Lamp Davies of consultancy A Bright Approach, talks to Hermione Joye, Sector Lead, Travel and Vertical Search APAC, Google about a piece of extensive research conducted by Google and Ipsos. The research dives into search and booking patterns of the APAC traveller, favourite destination both domestically and internationally and how the behaviour of the APAC traveller has changed significantly since the pandemic. Don’t miss this deep dive into a very vibrant and trend-setting region which already influences global trends. We look forward to hearing from Hermione Joye live at ITB Asia on Wednesday 25th October where she will present the research findings to attendees.

The future of travel is closely linked to digital innovations. Blockchain, the Metaverse and Generative AI were central topics at the ITB Convention 2023. What is the status six months later? Let’s ask again Alexander Knauer, Professor of E-Business and E-Entrepeneurship at the University of Applied Sciences Mittweida. Our Blockchain expert at the ITB Convention 2023 explains why decentralized identities and non-fungible token are becoming central topics for tourism and how blockchain also stimulates artificial intelligence.

The future of travel is closely linked to digital innovations. Blockchain, the Metaverse and Generative AI were central topics at the ITB Convention 2023. What is the status six months later? Let’s ask again Caroline Bremner, Senior Industry Manager at Euromonitor, again. Our metaverse expert at the ITB Convention 20223 explains why baby boomers still find it difficult to use virtual technology and how sustainability might push the metaverse.

The future of travel is closely linked to digital innovations. Blockchain, the metaverse and generative AI were central topics at the ITB Convention 2023. What is the status six months later? Let’s ask again Leila Summa, Managing Director PlayTo Change. Our expert in generative AI at the ITB Convention 20223 explains how Chat GPT & Co are gaining acceptance, what is already possible today and how artificial intelligence will change the travel industry.

In this edition, China is in the spotlight! We are pleased to welcome one of the ITB China Keynote Speakers to our Travel Hero Podcast. Schubert Lou is COO of Trip.com and we will travel into the future with him. Generative AI will transform the travel industry. Find out how booking processes, loyalty programmes, personalised marketing and seamless travel will change. Meet Schubert Lou live at the ITB China Conference.

In our latest ITB Travel Hero Podcast we embarked on something new. We wanted to discuss the GenZ Generation and their expectations of the workplace a created a blind date of two generations. In this engaging podcast we hear from Lea …, who’s just embarking on her career and Ingo …, who is nearing retirement age. Not only was it fascinating to discuss how much the workplace has changed and to learn more about the next generation’s expectations and wishes for a good work/life balance, it was also encouraging to learn that many wishes of the Gen Z generation are mirrored by generations who went before. Listen to our moderator Charlotte Lamp Davies of A Bright Approach as she introduced Lea and Ingo for the very first time and see how the “blind date” unfolded. They touched on topics including: Workspace changes, and expectations of the GenZ generation of work and the workplace. What excites them and how older generations adapt and adhere to the pace of change? From talks to reduce the work week to 4 days, hybrid working models, blended travel and expectations from the offset of the GenZ generation. Do join the conversation. Communication is key.