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Travel Hero Podcast

Travel Hero Podcast
Author: ITB
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The tourism industry is full of big achievers and thrilling personalities, real travel heroes! The Travel Hero Podcast by ITB is a series of intimate talks with inspriring minds of the tourism industry about their lives, lessons learned, career tips and deep dive episodes on current trends moving the travel industry.
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Happy listening!
124 Episodes
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AI is no longer the future, it’s here, reshaping how we plan, book, and experience travel. Join Google’s Yannis Simaiakis and Dirk Rogl as we discuss the biggest opportunities and challenges AI brings to tourism today.
Inclusive travel isn’t niche, it’s necessary. In this episode, our host Charlotte Lamp Davies speaks with Thomas Bömkes of Diversity Tourism about the evolving expectations of LGBTQ+ travelers, the importance of safety, and why embracing diversity makes smart business sense — even in the face of political challenges.
Europe is gearing up for a packed summer travel season — but where is demand rising fastest, and what does it mean for destinations, airlines, and travel marketers?
In this episode, we speak with Olivier Ponti from ForwardKeys (an Amadeus company) to unpack the latest data and trends shaping European travel this summer. From top-performing destinations and changing booking patterns to air capacity shifts and traveller behaviour, Olivier shares fresh insights that help make sense of the current travel landscape.
Whether you're a DMO, airline, or part of the wider tourism industry, this episode offers practical takeaways on how to stay ahead of fast-moving market dynamics and shifting traveller preferences.
Chinese outbound travel is back, and evolving fast. In this episode, we speak with Maria Ramiro, of Huawei Mobile Services, about how destinations can better connect with today’s Chinese travellers. From digital behaviours and mobile planning to luxury trends and rising destinations, Maria shares practical insights and tips for travel brands and destinations alike.
Each morning throughout ITB Berlin, we provide you with latest news and recommendations for the day ahead.
Listen in as David Ruetz, Senior Vice President Messe Berlin, shares today’s highlights (6 March) on exhibitors' insights, the upcoming 60th anniversary of ITB Berlin in 2026 and gives us their personal preferences of the day. Get inspired by what each day has to offer!
Each morning throughout ITB Berlin, we provide you with latest news and recommendations for the day ahead.
Listen in as Lea Jordan, Member Board of Experts ITB Berlin, shares today’s highlights (5 March) on ITB Berlin Convention tracks, what's new and gives us their personal preferences of the day. Get inspired by what each day has to offer!
Each morning throughout ITB Berlin, we provide you with latest news and recommendations for the day ahead.
Listen in as Deborah Rothe, Director ITB Berlin, shares today’s highlights (4 March) on exhibitors' insights, what's new and gives us their personal preferences of the day. Get inspired by what each day has to offer!
What’s shaping video culture today? Roya Zeitoune, Head of YouTube Culture & Trends, EMEA at Google, joins host Lea Jordan for the ITB Travel Hero Podcast for a deep dive into global video trends, decoding culture, and the future of travel marketing.
With over 600 hours of content uploaded to YouTube every minute, how does her team uncover what’s truly shaping culture across different regions? And what surprising trend is transforming how travelers engage with video?
Listen now & don’t miss Roya’s keynote 'Cultural Trends impacting Video Formats and Marketing in Global Travel’ at ITB Berlin Convention on March 5th at the ITB Marketing & Distribution Track in Hall 7.1 - See you there!
In this episode, Noam Toister, CEO and co-founder of Travelier, joins host Lea Jordan to discuss ground and sea transportation. Noam shares his insights on the sector and explains why there are so many reasons to be excited about the current developments and Travelier's role in this.
Make sure to join Noam's Keynote, 'The State of Ground and Sea Transportation - 10 Key Insights for all Travel Businesses in 2025,' on Tuesday, 4th March 2025 at the eTravel Track in Hall 6.1 at the ITB Berlin Convention. Head to itb.com/convention for all the details, mark your calendar, and see you there!
Link Session https://www.itb.com/en/events/itb-convention/itb-convention-program/event-overview.html#eventdate--The-State-of-Ground-and-Sea-Transportation---10-Key-Insights-for-all-Travel-Businesses-in-2025--ed_1303
Join us as we welcome Dan Christian, CEO and host of the Travel Trends Podcast, to explore the biggest trends in tours and activities. From hidden gems to the evolving role of AI in travel, Dan shares key insights ahead of his ITB Berlin debut and his panel on tailor-made experiences.
Hosted by Charlotte Lamp Davies, founder of A Bright Approach, this episode dives into the latest travel trends shaping 2025.
What makes hidden gems so appealing?
How can travel companies balance growth and sustainability?
Key trends shaping tours & activities in 2025
The role of AI in creating authentic travel experiences
What to expect at ITB Berlin’s Tours & Activities track
Tune in now and get ready for ITB Berlin 2025!
In this ITB Berlin’s Travel Hero Podcast our guest is Ben Page, CEO of Ipsos. We’re diving into Ipsos’ latest insights on how trends in sustainability, wellness, and digital innovation are shaping the future of travel.
In this episode of ITB Berlin's Travel Hero Podcast, Shannon Stowell, CEO of the Adventure Travel Trade Association, dives into the world of adventure travel. We explore its positive impact on local communities, the growing focus on sustainability, and emerging trends shaping the industry's future. We shares insights on how adventure travel providers can build responsible and climate-conscious experiences.
Join us as Y.t. Kivisaari, President & CEO, Visit Oulu, reveals the 57% surge in Indian travelers to Finland, exploring key trends, visa challenges, and the booming wedding industry. Discover insights to elevate your strategy in the evolving outbound market!
In this episode, we have engaged with three travel experts to discuss the groundbreaking impact of artificial intelligence on the travel industry. Join us as we explore where and how AI is revolutionizing travel technology, the reasons behind these changes, and why you should get involved.
Join us as we talk with Philip Ibrahim, General Manager of The Social Hub in Berlin, about the challenges and opportunities in catering to LGBTQ+ travelers. Learn about successful examples, cultural sensitivity, key partnerships, and future trends in LGBTQ+ hospitality.
Tune in now to stay ahead and support inclusivity in the industry!
#ITBBerlin #TravelHeroPodcast #LGBTQTravel #Hospitality
Curious about how the global travel industry can decarbonize by 2050?
In this episode, you will adopt a new travel perspective and learn why forward-thinking companies will attract investment and talent.
From whom? Our guest, Jeremy Sampson, CEO of The Travel Foundation, and host Charlotte Lamp Davies from A Bright Approach, will shed light on all these topics. Listen now!
2024 is shaping up to be another record-breaking year for travel. That's what the latest @Phocuwright data show.
Despite global uncertainties like upcoming elections and ongoing conflicts, the masses continue to travel. The demand also appears resilient, even though rising flight faires are starting to impact air travel.
Listen to @CharutaFadnis, SVP of Phocuswright, and our host @CharlotteLampDavies of @ABrightApproach giving detailed insights into the global travel market. Tune in now!
#ITBBerlin #ITBBerlinConvention #Phocuswright #travelmarket #traveltrends
In the latest ITB’s Travel Hero Podcast, host Charlotte Lamp Davies, of A Bright Approach talks with Lydia Li, Deputy General Manager at Messe Berlin Shanghai, about trends in Chinese travel.
The Chinese outbound travel market is recovering well, with significant increases in trips to visa-free countries like Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia, and growth in travel to Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey, Maldives, and Europe. The post-90s generation now leads outbound travel, preferring personalized, immersive experiences.
Social media, especially platforms like WeChat, Weibo, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu, is key for reaching travelers, with live streaming driving significant sales. Chinese travelers seek unique experiences and personalized services, and themed travel products are in high demand. AI is increasingly used in customer service and travel planning.
In the MICE sector, there’s a shift towards more frequent, smaller events. The concept of "bleisure" (business and leisure) is growing, with employees extending business trips for personal enjoyment.
The podcast emphasizes the benefits of blending business and leisure travel for personal well-being and local economies.
In this episode of the ITB Berlin Travel Hero Podcast, Dr Markus Heller, Managing Director of management consultancy Dr Fried & Partner, and Dieter Janecek, Federal Government Coordinator for the Maritime Industry and Tourism, reflect on the most defining moments and challenges of this year's ITB Convention. From inspiring exchanges with international partners to the challenges posed by strikes in the transport sector. Special attention will be paid to the role of women in the tourism industry, the urgent need to make the sector more sustainable and inclusive, and the importance of tourism as a means of promoting cosmopolitanism and cultural understanding. This conversation highlights the importance of tourism as a driver of social and economic change, always with a clear view to the future.
In this episode of ITB's Travel Hero Podcast, we are excited to welcome a distinguished guest: H.E. Azzan bin Qassim Al Busaidi, the Undersecretary of Tourism from the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of Oman. With Oman's tourism industry on the rise, we're thrilled to delve into the unique factors that distinguish Oman's offer in a highly competitive global market. Join us as we explore what draws visitors to Oman, how authenticity is preserved amidst development, and the significance of diversity in Oman's tourism landscape. Let's embark on a journey to uncover the secrets behind Oman's tourism success with our esteemed guest.