Tourism can play an important role in bringing travellers and their hosts together and provide an impetus for business and society. However, it is not always residents who benefit, but often global concerns and powerful local elites. Precarious working conditions, sexual exploitation of children, land grabs and other human rights violations are unfortunately not uncommon in the tourism industry.
At ITB Berlin four organisations who are critical observers of the tourism industry are campaigning for tourism which places the focus on local residents at destinations. The Tourism Watch agency of Brot für die Welt, Studienkreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung, the child welfare organisation ECPAT and the child welfare code for tourism companies – The Code, are convinced that tourism can make an important contribution to sustainable development.
The specialist panels of the NGOs will discuss what form self-determination can take in local communities, what measures can be taken to protect human rights and child welfare, and what tourism platforms can undertake to create more sustainable business models.
Event details:
Wednesday, 4 March 2020, 11 a.m. - 12 midday, Hall 4.1, large stage
Organiser: ECPAT
Joint child welfare in tourism initiatives
What measures can the tourism industry, society, governments and law enforcement agencies take to protect children from sexual exploitation? Representatives from Latin America, Asia and Europe present their concepts for protecting children at local, national and international level.
Wednesday, 4 March 2020, 4 – 5 p.m., Hall 4.1, large stage
Organiser: Tourism Watch
Tourism 4.0: How digital platforms are changing the tourism industry’s value chain
Tourism platforms are turning traditional value chains upside down. However, can micro-businesses such as tour guides, homestay providers or taxi drivers in developing and threshold countries reap the benefits? The panel will present the findings of a recent Tourism Watch survey in India. Experts will discuss what measures platforms and online travel agents can take to further integrate sustainability in their business models, strengthen the role of small providers, and ultimately help promote sustainable development.
Thursday, 5 March 2020, 11.55 a.m. – 1 p.m., City Cube Club
Organiser: Studienkreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung (Study Group for Tourism and Development)
ZwischenRufe (interjections): No time for excuses!
The tourism industry is not only a victim but also a main driver of climate change. Where can the Fridays for Future generation still travel to? And what of those people whose incomes depend on tourism? The tourism industry must provide sustainable and climate-relevant solutions. Nothing less than the future of travel is at stake.
Thursday, 5 March 2020, 4.30 – 6.30 p.m., Palais am Funkturm
Organiser: Studienkreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung (Study Group for Tourism and Development)
Presentation of the TO DO Award
The TO DO Award is presented to tourism initiatives which place the focus on the self-determination of local residents. This year the award goes to Banteay Chhmar Community-Based Tourism (CBT) from Cambodia and the Esfahk Historic Village from Iran. The Colombian organisation "¡La Muralla soy yo!“ wins the TO DO Award for Human Rights in Tourism for its efforts protecting children from sexual exploitation by travellers and tourists.
Thursday, 5 March 2020, 5 – 5.30 p.m., Hall 4.1, Adventure Stage
Organisers: ECPAT and DRV
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