Travel Hero Podcast

In this episode of ITB's Travel Hero podcast, we are excited to welcome Bonita Grupp, Managing Director of TRIGEMA, for a 300-second conversation with podcast host Madlen Schwing from the Chair of Tourism at the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt. Following an interesting introduction to Bonita's background and career path, the podcast delves into the unique challenges faced by TRIGEMA, t...

In this episode, Cory Elford, Director of Marketing at MPI (Meeting Professionals International), joins host Lea Jordan and shares some background on MPI’s purpose and mission, her takes on the top 3 trends shaping the events and meeting industry, some best practice examples on how MPI leverages technology, and a personal tip on how to keep on top of trends. Cory Elford is a standout marketing str...

In this episode, Merilee Karr, Founder & CEO at UnderTheDoormatGroup and Chair of the Board at UK Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA), joins host Lea Jordan and shares her takes on the top 3 trends shaping the short-term rentals sector and some exciting news about UnderTheDoormatGroup. Tune in and hear from Merilee Karr, a renowned short-term rentals expert. Make sure to join the panel at...

Welcome to another episode of the 300 Seconds podcast, where Karoline Wiegerink delves into the highlights of the upcoming ITB convention. Get ready to embark on a journey together with Caroline Bremner Senior Head of Travel Research at Euromonitor International. The podcast explores the changing landscape of luxury travel and its major drivers of change. Understanding the luxury travellers of the...

In our new episode of the ITB Travel Hero Podcast with Dr. Patrick, Andrae, CEO and Co-Founder of Hometogo, we look forward to the new AI Track of the ITB Berlin Convention, taking place at eTravelStage in hall 6.1. on March 6, where Patrick will explain the disruptive element of AI and how it may change travel search and booking. Hometogo has already extensively implemented GenAI. Patrick will pr...

Our moderator Charlotte Lamp Davies of A Bright Approach had the privilege of hosting Rohit Talwar, the CEO and founder of FastFuture, as our guest on the ITB Berlin Travel Hero podcast. Rohit is set to open the Diversity and Inclusion Track at the upcoming convention, where he'll delve into the pivotal global shifts that could significantly impact diversity and inclusivity within the travel secto...

In this episode of the ITB Berlin podcast, Willy Legrand engages in a 300-second conversation with Netsai Bollmann, Programme Manager at KAZA TFCA (Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area). The podcast explores the intersection of tourism and biodiversity, offering insights into the positive and negative impacts of the industry on natural habitats. Netsai shares her perspective on the role...

In our latest Travel Hero Podcast, we have the pleasure of hosting ITB Director Deborah Rothe in a conversation with podcast host Charlotte Lamp Davies from A Bright Approach. Together, they delve into the details of the upcoming ITB convention scheduled for March 2024 in Berlin, shedding light on what awaits both delegates and exhibitors. With a comprehensive conference program featuring 17 track...

More than a year on from APAC borders reopening, travel is now once again a fact of life. As we finally close the chapter on ‘travel recovery’ and ‘revenge travel’, what lies ahead? How has travel demand been pacing under the cloud of economic uncertainty and inflationary pressures? What has changed in the way that travellers dream, plan, and book their trips today? And where are the biggest pocke...

The future of travel is closely linked to digital innovations. Blockchain, the Metaverse and Generative AI were central topics at the ITB Convention 2023. What is the status six months later? Let’s ask again Alexander Knauer, Professor of E-Business and E-Entrepeneurship at the University of Applied Sciences Mittweida. Our Blockchain expert at the ITB Convention 2023 explains why decentralized ide...

The future of travel is closely linked to digital innovations. Blockchain, the Metaverse and Generative AI were central topics at the ITB Convention 2023. What is the status six months later? Let’s ask again Caroline Bremner, Senior Industry Manager at Euromonitor, again. Our metaverse expert at the ITB Convention 20223 explains why baby boomers still find it difficult to use virtual technology an...

The future of travel is closely linked to digital innovations. Blockchain, the metaverse and generative AI were central topics at the ITB Convention 2023. What is the status six months later? Let’s ask again Leila Summa, Managing Director PlayTo Change. Our expert in generative AI at the ITB Convention 20223 explains how Chat GPT & Co are gaining acceptance, what is already possible today and how...

In this edition, China is in the spotlight! We are pleased to welcome one of the ITB China Keynote Speakers to our Travel Hero Podcast. Schubert Lou is COO of Trip.com and we will travel into the future with him. Generative AI will transform the travel industry. Find out how booking processes, loyalty programmes, personalised marketing and seamless travel will change. Meet Schubert Lou live at the...

In our latest ITB Travel Hero Podcast we embarked on something new. We wanted to discuss the GenZ Generation and their expectations of the workplace a created a blind date of two generations. In this engaging podcast we hear from Lea …, who’s just embarking on her career and Ingo …, who is nearing retirement age. Not only was it fascinating to discuss how much the workplace has changed and to lear...

ITB Berlin is the leading international travel trade show for LGBTQ+ Tourism. And ITB Berlin has been debating issues impacting this diverse group of travellers and individuals working very closely with destinations, associations as well as both private and public players to raise awareness for this community. ITB Berlin also supports Human Rights in tourism and embraces any debate which will addr...

In a series of ITB Travel Hero Trendcasts, we ask travel insiders and analysts around the world about the current situation in important travel markets. Lydia Li, Deputy General Manager of Messe Berlin Shanghai is not only looking forward to ITB China opening up in September, but above all to the speedy recovery of the travel business in China, which started rapid with domestic travel earlier this...

In a series of ITB Travel Hero Trendcasts, we ask travel insiders and analysts around the world about the current situation in important travel markets. Andreas Wulfes, CEO of Neusta Data Intelligence, has deep insights into current business in ITB's home market of Germany. He reports on the current booking situation and which destinations are particularly popular this summer for German holidaymak...

In a series of ITB Travel Hero Trendcasts, we ask travel insiders and analysts around the world about the current situation in important travel markets. Charuta Fadnis, Phocuswright's Senior Vice President Research, shares insights and data into Phocuswright's unique database. She explains how the global travel business is recovering after the pandemic, what the situation is like in her home marke...

Based on new work from Euromonitor International that looks at whether blended travel is here to stay, its part to play in changing the way we travel for the better, and whether travel is actually building back better. During our latest Travel Hero Podcast we discussed the opportunities and future of blended travel with Stephen Dutton , Client Insights Research Manager at Euromonitor. In this podc...

Talking about travel trends, how was Q1 2023 going? Skyscanner is no stranger to research and its latest Horizon Report just published is showing booking patterns returning to pre-pandemic numbers and a desire to travel long haul is rapidly returning. During the new episode of our Travel Hero Podcast we discussed the research paper in detail with Mike Ferguson, Director of Destination Marketing at...

This week the spotlight is on India! While ITB India is happening in Mumbai, we sat down with Daniel Dsouza President and Country Head for Leisure SOCT Travel, who shares some insights on the Indian traveler. Learn about the changed consumer behaviors in this fast-moving country, popular destinations within the country and abroad and what the Indian traveler actually seeks.

Did you hear about "blended travel" yet? And what exactly is this "metaverse"? Caroline Bremner, Senior Industry Manager and Stephen Dutton, Client Insight Research Manager at Euromonitor International explain in just 300 seconds what exactly the metaverse is, what is hidden behind the term blended travel and what connects the two trends. You want to delve deeper? Then don't miss the ITB Berlin Co...

Travel is one of the largest and fastest growing categories on Tik Tok” says David Roland, Head of Brand Partnerships DACH at TikTok. The platform is a great chance to interact in a new way with consumers and learn from them at the same time – it’s not a one way street! There are opportunities for all players in the tourism and travel market to succeed on the platform! How? And who does it right?...

Tune in these 300 seconds with Kathrin Anselm, General Manager DACH, CEE & Russia at Airbnb and Lea Jordan, Co-Founder, techtalktravel. Find out how Airbnb caters to new travel trends with new features and how overall business, guests and hosts are impacted by those developments. For deeper insights, don't miss Kathrin and Lea during this year’s ITB Berlin Convention at the Marketing & Distributio...

Within these 300 seconds moderated by Lea Jordan, Co-Founder & Head of Marketing at techtalk.travel, Amanda Du, Head of eCommerce at Penta Hotels Worldwide, untangles the buzzwords Metaverse, Webfree and NFTs. She analyses how these concepts impact our lives and how we’ll do business. Moreover Amanda shares learnings and specific examples from Penta Hotels on how to reward, recognize and engage wi...