ITB is encouraging visitors to the event this week to bring donations for refugees when they arrive. Specifically, they are asking for:
- Packaged dry nuts or fruits
- new sets of underwear for adults (small sizes) and children
- wool and fabrics
Anyone visiting ITB can donate the above items at hall 14.2 (East Entrance) on ITB Saturday & Sunday from 10.00 – 18.00.
Exhibitors are also asked to donate their ITB plants for refugees at the end of ITB Berlin. The plants will be donated to the Maltese, a local organisation working with refugees, and they will be used to decorate refugee accommodation.
Exhibitors can deliver their potted flowers on Sunday, 13 March, starting from 6 pm in Room Regensburg (middle foyer between Hall 4.1 and 3.1) and in hall 14.2 (Eastern Entrance)
More information on the donation programme can be found here.
There are also specific events taking place at ITB focussing on what the travel industry can do to support refugees.
Wednesday 9th March
11.55 – 13.00 OLD EUROPE, NEW BORDERS? COMING AND GOING, TRAVELING AND STAYING AT HOME: TOURISM AND REFUGEES
The impact of the refugee crisis. New borders, a new kind of “togetherness”, a new flood of tourists?
Thursday 10th March
16.15 – 17.15 ESCAPE, MIGRATION AND TOURISM – IN COOPERATION WITH DGT AND AIEST
The wave of refugees in Europe is creating big problems for tourism destinations. What is the significance of encounters between tourists and refugees on holiday islands, beaches or city centers? International research results shed light on this truly hot topic of the international tourism industry
Friday 11th March
11.00 – 11.30 BEST PRACTICE EXAMPLES FOR THE INTEGRATION OF REFUGEES IN TOURISM
How can the tourism industry help to integrate refugees into a normal life in their guest countries? Considering the skills shortage in the tourism industry refugees constitute a big potential. Panel discussion about the opportunities and challenges to integrate refugees on the German employment market. Two hotel projects which work with “newcomers” will be introduced and the Berlin ’Multaka project: museums, a meeting place – refugees as guides in Berlin museums’, which provides museum guide training courses for Syrian and Iraqi refugees, so that they in turn can offer refugees tours in their own language, will be presented.
15.00 – 16.00 PROFESSIONALS ARE LACKING – REFUGEES ARE COMING. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE TOURISM INDUSTRY?
There will be an increasing need to integrate refugees into the labor market. What opportunities and challenges will result for the tourism industry and the refugees? Which positive examples can motivate others to follow suit?
Find out more about ITB’s CSR programme here.
