ITB Berlin 2025 – Complete Playlist Available

The world’s largest travel and tourism trade fair and convention is over, and it was an honour (and a lot of stress!) to put together for the fourth year now the ITB Berlin 2025 Responsible Tourism Track as well as the Destination Track on the largest stages – all live and livestreamed.

I am putting a short summary here as I think this may be quite interesting for the one or the other for class work, sparking discussions, debates, and advancing our understanding of the challenges, opportunities, shortcomings and transformations taking place in tourism and hospitality.

The entire Responsible Tourism Track playlist available here:

ITB Berlin Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT9C2H3Fbwg&list=PLdkWkPxF54jlBgGdmuNV9m4uWKTMuXsmL&index=2 (Don’t forget to scroll for more!)

Highlighted Sessions:

Video: “10 Years Since the Paris Agreement: What do the climate data show?”

A critical review in 15 minutes by Prof. Stefan Rahmstorf (Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research) and a discussion on the future post-COP29 with Zoritsa Urosevic (Executive Director at the UN Tourism).

Video: “Regenerative Tourism – not a trend but a whole new way of thinking and doing”

Anna Pollock argues, “a paradigm shift means you can’t go back,” (and yes, “paradigm shift isn’t the same as changing your diet” (see minute 10:00 into the video) ) capturing the audience for a solid 35 minutes concluding with a standing ovation.

Video: “Learning from Collapse: The Lessons of Sustainability Failures”

What happens when you decide to be fully transparent sharing what went wrong in your sustainability endevarours?

Video: “From Promise to Progress: Steering Tourism in Challenging Times”

(with Caribbean Tourism Organization, World Travel and Tourism Council, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, the European Commission and NECSTouR) A powerhouse panel wit one concluding statement: “Let’s imagine together innovative and smart opportunities”

Video: “Ground Zero Sustainability: Frontline Actions and Challenges”

What does it mean to be at the frontlines of sustainability whether is it urban communities or biodiversity protection? Many stories have been told by others, it’s time to let those at the forefront tell the story!

Video: ”Technology for Sustainability“

So much going on in regards to data science and AI – from capturing behavioural data, to inform new ways to communicate sustainability and to nudge consumers, and to inform policy, another line up of experts with Booking.com, Amadeus, Mastercard, ForwardKeys and Goli Neuromarketing

Video ”Speed dating with Sustainable Solutions”

What does Airbnb have to do with greening the cities? How can tour operators make informed decision on the products to offer when it comes down to sustainability? Are there major levers in regards to energy production at destinations? Find out in this session.

Video: “Community–led Tapestry: Blending Culture, Engagement, and Sustainability in Tourism”

Case studies with stunning film on community-owned tourism!

I wish you a good continuation!

Sessions on the Women Empowerment Principles, Accessibility in tourism and inclusive employment for person with disabilities in tourism available on the Destination Playlist.

Session on Hospitality, including a panel on Regenerative Hospitality available on the Hotel Track Playlist.

But of course much more on Business Travel, eTravel, Inclusion and Diversity, Youth Adventure & Outdoor, Sales & Marketing and more (17 Tracks altogether!) all here: https://www.youtube.com/@ITBBerlin/playlists

Wishing you good discussion with colleagues and students!

Willy Legrand

PROF. DR. WILLY LEGRAND

Department of Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management