The conference, returning for the eighth year, will address key topics such as hospitality, destination marketing, CSR and futurology. On Friday, March 11, it will focus on the topical issue of eco-mobility.

Photo credit: http://www.brandusapavilion.com/

And for the first time, a special session on Asia, hosted by ITB Asia, will be featured.

Opening the convention on March 9 will be The ITB Future Day which will give delegates a glimpse of the future with presentations on the latest findings on demographics, climate change, natural resources, technology and customer behaviour.

Leading international experts will put forward future scenarios and analyse their effects on world tourism. The ITB World Travel Trends Report, an analysis of 500,000 interviews, will give a forecast of global travel behaviour.

ITB Hospitality Day, on March 12, will discuss the challenges confronting the hotel industry, which is currently facing massive change. Leading figures and practical experts will discuss current developments affecting the industry, from luxury to budget hotels.

The topics at the ITB CSR Day also reflect the trend towards ecological sustainability in the hotel industry. Examples of best practices will be given to demonstrate the conditions under which sustainability and luxury can co-exist.

Other topics on the same day include how CSR impacts on companies and climate protection in various countries in Asia. A discussion round entitled “The CSR-conscious tourist“ will explore customers’ awareness of sustainability awards and CSR seals of approval and to what degree they influence booking behaviour.

On Friday, the focus will be on eco-mobility, a new theme at the convention. Experts will discuss the future of mobility and forward-looking mobility projects such as solar-powered and electric vehicles. Practical examples will be presented highlighting initial experience with pilot projects at international tourism destinations.

This year’s ITB Destination Day will focus on the Convention & Culture Partner Mongolia, with a discussion on the prospects for cultural tourism in a country which to date remains relatively unexplored.

Meanwhile, experts on the ITB Asia discussion panel, moderated by the show’s partner event ITB Asia, will take a broader look at the Asian continent. Leading experts will debate the opportunities and potential which Asian markets have to offer.

The ITB Marketing and Distribution Day, set for March 11, will see marketing and tourism experts discuss marketing trends and prospects for tourism around the world, while also taking an in-depth look at who uses social media and mobile devices as well as the travel behaviour of young people.

A specially conducted survey for ITB Berlin will provide insights into young people’s reasons for travelling and their expectations. Mathias Hüske, Head of Deutsche Bahn Online and Agency Sales will present innovations in rail travel.

Following the overwhelming success of last year’s event,the ITB Media Summit is set to return in 2011.

Full programme details are available here.

Featured image credit (businessman giving speech): Ockra/iStock