More than 200 leading speakers from the global travel industry are expected to take the podium next week at the ITB Berlin Convention.

A leading industry think tank, the event will see representatives from the fields of science and politics take their seats next to leading members of international travel community.

HRH the Hon. Chief Mukuni of Zambia will add royal flair to proceedings, discussing how important tourism is among measures for combating poverty, as well as the role of development aid in the future of Africa.

Well known author and TV presenter Manuel Andrack is also expected to speak on the subject of spirituality and tourism, with Vural Öger, owner of Öger Tours, will also be setting the tone with a keynote speech on the challenges posed by the creation of sustainable tourism destinations.

ITB CSR Day

At the ITB CSR Day the world famous oceanographer and environmental activist Fabien Cousteau will be raising some fundamental issues. In the second keynote speech he will be examining whether ocean protection and tourism are friends or foes.

Along with other participants from the travel industry, TUI AG chief Volker Böttcher will examine the topic of customer experiences as regards sales, and whether CSR is simply a fake concept.

ITB Aviation Day

Leading figures will also be attending the ITB Aviation Day.

Turkish Airlines chief Dr Temel Kotil will hold a keynote speech opening this, a headline event of the world’s aviation industry.

Following the speech, a global CEO Panel - including Air Berlin chief Joachim Hunold, Jazeera Airways’ Stefan Pichler and Garuda Indonesia president Emirsyah Satar – will discuss the future of the world’s aviation industry.

SkyTeam vice president Mauro Oretti will also examine the future of strategic alliances in aviation.

ITB Future Day

Following this, Prof. Dr. Claudia Kemfert, head of the Energy, Transport and Environment Department at the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin), will open the ITB Global Future Summit at the ITB Future Day.

Along with other experts, she will be discussing the main trends as regards demographics, climate change, natural resources, technology and consumer behaviour.

In a discussion with other high-ranking participants Oman Air chief Peter Hill will also be analysing whether luxury tourism is still a viable market.

What’s New With Google

Finally, the search engine giant Google will be represented at the Global Future Summit by Patrick Schönemann, Geo Sales Manager DACH & Nordics, Google Enterprise, as well as at the PhoCusWright@ITB Berlin Technology Convention by Javier González-Soria.

More Information

ITB Berlin begins on March 10th, take a look at the website for more information.