Bruce Poon Tip, founder of G Adventures, reflects on how travel can transform people, communities and societies. He speaks about rebuilding his company after COVID-19, why leaving the comfort zone is essential for meaningful travel and how community tourism can create real impact for local people around the world.
Camilo Navarro, COO & Co-Founder of Wheel the World, talks about the startup culture of Silicon Valley, how a personal experience revealed the barriers wheelchair travellers face and why accessible tourism is both a social mission and a major opportunity in an ageing world.
In this episode of the ITB Berlin Travel Hero Podcast, host Charlotte Lamp Davies is joined by Gitte Mikkelsen, Senior Manager at Wonderful Copenhagen, to explore women’s growing influence in destination marketing and management.
From leadership and career journeys to sustainability and positive impact tourism, Gitte shares insights on creating destinations that benefit both travellers and local communities — and what destination organisations should prioritise for the future.
„People are looking for that undiscovered hidden gem“
Wendy Olson Killion, CEO of Rome2Rio, talks about US tourism in difficult times, the benefits of AI for the industry and how traveller behaviour is shifting beyond the most well-known destinations. She also reflects on the growing interest in lesser-known places and shares personal insights, including lessons learned from cherry picking at home.
Dr. Frauke Fischer, Agentur Auf!, Business Biodiversity Expert
„The success of tourism relies on healthy Ecosystems“
Dr. Frauke Fischer, Business Biodiversity Expert at Agentur auf!, talks about her live in an African rain forest, the importance of biodiversiy for Tourism, and how AI will teach us to understand animals.
Key performance indicators (KPI) are playing an increasingly important role in the tourism industry. Key performance indicators can help sustain success, identify weaknesses, and minimize risks. This applies not only to business processes but also to issues such as sustainability, overtourism, and social integration. Martin Jahrfeld talks with Jannik Müller (Head of Market Research, Tourist Association of North Rhine-Westphalia) and Kai Partale (Senior Managing Partner, benchmark services) about strategies and opportunities in the use of KPIs.
Joschka Fischer, former German Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor, reflects on the geopolitical shifts shaping a new world order, the ambivalence of globalization and how travelling formed his character.
Aziz Abu Sarah, Co-Founder of MEJDI Tours and Palestinian peace activist, talks about growing up in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, why tourism can become a powerful tool for dialogue and how meaningful travel experiences can connect people across divides.
Inside the ITB Berlin Convention: In this Travel Hero Podcast Morning Briefing, Lea Jordan unpacks the convention theme “Leading Tourism into Balance,” explores how AI is reshaping travel, and highlights insights from leaders like Bruce Poon Tip and Nathan Blecharczyk. Listen in for the key takeaways from Day 2.
Today the doors open for the 60th edition of ITB Berlin. Deborah Rothe and David Ruetz look ahead to the trends, highlights and special anniversary moments, and spotlight host country Angola. Tune in for your essential Morning Briefing and get ready for an inspiring first day!