Heleri Rande hosts the Responsible Tourism Track at ITB Berlin 2025

At ITB Berlin 2025, the Responsible Tourism Track brought together global leaders to tackle the triple planetary crisis—climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss—and explore how tourism can shift from transactional to truly transformational.

In the session From Promise to Progress, experts from NECSTouR, the European Commission, the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, WTTC, and the Caribbean Tourism Organization stressed the power of public-private partnerships, stronger climate action, and alignment of global, EU, and regional strategies.

Innovation was spotlighted in Speed Dating with Sustainable Solutions, featuring Airbnb’s Cool Cities project in Hamburg, which will green urban spaces with €250,000 in funding, proving how tech and collaboration can shape climate-resilient communities.

Finally, the Community-Led Tourism session showcased the role of authentic local experiences and storytelling in reducing economic leakage, preserving culture, and driving long-term prosperity.

Takeaway: Tourism’s future lies in purpose-driven growth, where environmental, social, and cultural sustainability go hand-in-hand with unforgettable guest experiences.