Travel Hero Podcast

„I was very crazy, so I had to do it“ Global Traveller Thor Pedersen talks about the joys and hardships of his ten year long journey around the entire world, reveals his favourite travel destination and gives three ultimate advices for longterm travellers.

Travel demand remains resilient, but geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and the rapid rise of AI are reshaping the industry faster than ever. In this episode, Dirk Rogl is joined by Olivier Ponti (Amadeus), Carlos Cendra Cruz (The Data Appeal Company) and Mitra Sorrells (Phocuswright) to discuss the current state of global travel. Who are the winners and losers of Summer 2026? How is AI c...

What does luxury mean in 2026? In this episode of the ITB Berlin Travel Hero Podcast, host Charlotte Lamp Davies is joined by Stuart Greif of Forbes Travel Guide and Janet Semenova of Boutique Travel Advisors to explore how luxury travel is evolving. From personalisation and wellbeing to sustainability, authenticity and exclusive experiences, discover what today's affluent travellers value most an...

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 c...

„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 Associ...

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!

Seit Jahrzehnten gestaltet die Deutsche Zentrale für Tourismus die internationale Positionierung des Reiselandes Deutschland. In dieser Folge des ITB Berlin Travel Hero Podcasts spricht Petra Hedorfer, CEO der DZT, über 60 Jahre ITB als Seismograph der Branche und über die strategischen Weichenstellungen für die Zukunft des deutschen Incoming Tourismus. Wie behauptet sich Deutschland in der „Champ...

In this episode, Angola—ITB’s 2026 host country—shares why it is one of Africa’s most authentic and undiscovered destinations. The conversation highlights Angola’s cultural vibrancy, natural diversity, and sustainable tourism vision, inviting the industry to tap into exceptional first mover opportunities.

In the latest episode of the ITB Travel Hero Podcast, Lea Jordan speaks with Kathrin Anselm, General Manager Central & Eastern Europe at Airbnb. As Airbnb joins ITB Berlin 2026 as official Co-Host — in the year of ITB’s 60th anniversary — Kathrin shares her perspective on how travel is evolving, what balanced tourism means in practice, and how Airbnb plans to engage with the industry in Berlin. Th...

In this special ITB Travel Hero Podcast episode, Joachim Marschal, Head of Uber for Business DACH, talks about “The End of Effort” in corporate mobility. In 300 seconds, he explains why ground transport has become a strategic pillar of business travel, how frictionless mobility ecosystems reduce compliance stress and hidden costs, and why intuitive, human-centric technology is key to performance,...

Anna Pollock, Founder of Conscious. Travel, is one of tourism's most forward-thinking voices — and she doesn't mince words.: "doing more good" and "leaving places better" are steps in the right direction but they are not regenerative, and they won't be enough. In this episode, Anna challenges the very language we use to describe tourism — and the worldview behind it — one that reduces everything t...

In this episode of the ITB Travel Hero Podcast, Lea Jordan, Member of the Board of Experts at the ITB Berlin Convention, speaks with Skift Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit ahead of her opening keynote at ITB Berlin Convention 2026’s Marketing & Distribution Track: “Travel’s Uneven Future: How Demand, Dollars, and Influence Are Shifting.” Tune in for a sharp preview of what’s changing in global travel:...

This shortcast explores why Peru stands out as a highly attractive market for the global tourism industry today. It highlights three key factors: Peru’s unique diversity of cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and world-class gastronomy; its rapidly improving tourism infrastructure and connectivity; and its strong alignment with global demand for sustainable and community-based travel. Due to it...

Healthy longevity is no longer niche. In this ITB Berlin Podcast episode, Nina Ruge, Co-Founder of staYoung, cuts through the hype to explain what science really says about living longer and better.

In the latest episode of the ITB Berlin Travel Hero Podcast, host Dirk Rogl welcomes Stephen Kaufer (Founder of TripAdvisor) and Lorraine Sileo (Co-Founder of Phocuswright Research) for a special 60th anniversary conversation. From the rise of reviews as a global trust layer to AI as the next major inflection point: what will truly change travel planning and booking — and what still won’t? Tune in...

A sharp look at high-yield tourism: who benefits, what it changes, and how destinations can balance value with inclusion. Host Charlotte speaks with Dr. Jens Thraenhart about the future of high-yield strategies in global tourism.

A powerful conversation with Loro Parque’s Christoph Kiessling on the future of zoos, global species conservation, and how tourism can support biodiversity. Charlotte Lamp Davies explores how research, education, and tourism intersect to protect wildlife worldwide.

Asia-Pacific is on the rise again. Why is the region set to see stronger international tourism growth than almost anywhere else? Host Charlotte Lamp Davies, CEO of A Bright Approach, sits down with Michael Shoory, Head of Tourism Analysis – Asia-Pacific at Tourism Economics, part of Oxford Economics, to unpack the data, drivers, and dynamics behind APAC’s travel surge. Tune in to this fast-paced 5...