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Singapore: ITB Asia rallies the travel industry around sustainability

2014/10/17

ITB Asia, ‘the Trade Show for the Asian Travel Market’, organised by Messe Berlin (Singapore), has announced a dedicated day of events and conferences around Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in tourism on 29 October. ITB Asia’s inaugural CSR day will shine a spotlight on economically, social-ethically and environmentally responsible tourism.

‘As world travel operators working across hundreds of communities, it is significant that we do our part in creating a socially acceptable and eco–friendly environment. Leveraging on our position as the region’s leading travel trade show, we’ve designed CSR day to rally our delegates in their efforts to create responsible tourism products and services. We believe that CSR is not a choice but a necessity for long-term business success particularly for the travel industry,’ said Nino Gruettke, Executive Director of ITB Asia.

The day will kick-off with a welcome address and keynote by Rika Jean François, CSR Commissioner of ITB Berlin and Mike Nedelko, CRM & Marketing Manager of The Code who will be sharing insights on ‘Human Rights In Tourism’.

The programme will continue with a highly informative session in partnership with National Geographic where the Editor and Columnist of National Geographic Traveler, Costas Christ, and Rika Jean François will present the finalists of the new ITB-National Geographic World Legacy Awards. The Awards will honour organizations that are driving the positive transformation of the tourism industry in five categories: Earth Changers, Sense of Place, Conserving the Natural World, Engaging Communities and Destination Leadership. The final winners will be celebrated in March 2015 at ITB Berlin.

Building on the momentum, ITB Asia continues to offer sustainability practitioners, newbies and pioneers a great platform and numerous sessions across the three-day show delving into hot topics around responsible tourism.

ITB Asia, in partnership with Wild Asia and Blue Yonder, for the fourth year running, has put together a series of interactive clinics. Experts and experienced practitioners will be presenting current trends and notable case studies focusing on community tourism and sustainable practices. The discussions will as well cover current topical interests such as ‘Sustainable Child Protection’, ‘Climate Change and Tourism’ and ‘Burma’s Reopening to the World’.

The sessions will be led by experienced industry professionals inclunding Dr Jutamas Jan Wisansing, Executive Director and Consultant, Perfect Link Consulting Group and Education Chair, Adrienne Lee, Program Manager (Asia & Africa), Planeterra, Ruben Cortes, Associate Director, Sustainable Building Initiative, Wild Asia, Daniel Pliskey, Sales and Marketing at Access China Tours, Albert Teo Chin Kion, Managing Director, Borneo Eco Tours & Sukau Rainforest Lodge and Chan Beng Seng, Coordinator for the World Alternative Tourism Network.

On Friday, the sessions will end on a high with the Responsible Tourism Forum where speakers will push the envelope to discuss standards of sustainable tourism, reveal market trends and opportunities, while as well providing practical tools and applications to achieve sustainability. The panel of experts includes Tony Charters, Principal, Tony Charters and Associates, Jens Thraenhart, Founder, Digital Innovation Asia and Jalsa Urubshurow, Founder and CEO, Nomadic Expeditions and the Three Camel Lodge from ITB Berlin’s Official Partner Country 2015, Mongolia. Following the forum, winners of the notable Wild Asia Responsible Tourism Awards 2014 will be announced. ITB Asia’s well-established International Responsible Tourism Networking Event will close the day, giving interested tourism professionals ample opportunities to get together.

Presently in its seventh year, ITB Asia continues to develop its offerings to visitors and represents the full spectrum of tourism at all levels inclunding the hospitality sector, aviation companies, tour operators or travel agencies, National Tourism Organisations, travel technology firms, MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) and corporate travel representatives.

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