Switch Asia to Green is on the agenda at ITB Berlin, the largest travel industry exhibition in the world taking place from March 5-7. The goal is to get visitors inspired at the Switch Asia to Green seminar and exhibition stand.
Sustainability best practices and challenges from Thailand, Bhutan, Laos, and Kyrgyzstan will be presented at a special seminar jointly organized by TraveLife and PATA on Thursday, 7 March at City Cube M4 during ITB.
Visitors are invited to attend from 11.00 am to 3.00 pm for an information and networking event with products, destination presentations, and panel discussions on new sustainable offers from Thailand, Laos, Bhutan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Meet at ITB Switch Asia Stand Hall 4.1b-213
The European Union Switch Asia program supports companies across the European-Asian supply chain to improve products, implement sustainability, and comply with upcoming EU CSR regulations. At ITB Berlin, Asian destinations and inbound tour operators will showcase tours and products developed with the support of Switch Asia projects.
The team can support international tour operators to create more sustainable supply chains by connecting them with Travelife-awarded inbound partners; inspiring them with low-carbon suppliers and tours to include in their current product offer; and supporting their Asian inbound tour operators/DMCs to work towards sustainability, with opportunities for training, assessment and certification.
Thailand: Low Carbon tours and responsible village experiences
At ITB participants can meet the team of the Thai Eco and Adventure Travel Association (TEATA) at the Thailand or Switch Asia booth to learn about over 50 newly developed carbon-neutral routes and packages.
Travelers are looking for ways to explore and experience with a low carbon footprint and fewer impacts on the environment. However, identifying low-carbon activities can be confusing.
With its certified 50+ new carbon-neutral tours available across Thailand, TEATA can help travelers reduce their emissions inside Thailand, without reducing the experience!
In addition, visitors this year can seek local inspiration through 30 community-based tourism programs, which can be integrated into their travel offers. This includes local experiences in classic destinations (Chiang Mai, Sukhothai, Phuket) as well as lesser-known, highly authentic Thai destinations.
Bhutan: Sustainable tour operators, packages and attractions
14 Travelife-awarded tour operators and the Bhutanese Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO) will attend, to learn about innovative products, sustainable hotels, and carbon-neutral routes. The Bhutan Department of Tourism will be providing information about new sustainability and visa regulations.
Laos: Certified tour operators and hotels
Five Travelife-awarded Laos tour operators will be on the Switch Asia stand. Visitors to the show can meet with the locally based Laos destination team from the Lao Chamber of Commerce who will explain the Lasting Laos campaign and suppliers offer.
Kyrgyzstan: Certified tour operators and community products
Eight Travelife-certified Kyrgyz tour operators will be on the stand. Visitors will be able to learn about authentic community experiences from the Kyrgyz Community Based Tourism Association (KCBTA) and meet with destination experts from Helvetas Kyrgyzstan.
More info on partners and products on www.asia.travelife.info .
Visitors to ITB Berlin, especially tour operators, and DMCs, are invited to meet Switch Asia’s partners and destination experts at the Switch Asia to Green stand: Hall 4.1/ 213, and Thailand TEATA stand: Hall 26b / 217
Agenda on March 7
- 11:00a.m.-12:00p.m.: Thailand: Inspiring Innovations in Thai Sustainable Tourism
- 12:00p.m-1:00p.m.: Bhutan: Becoming the Greenest Country in the World?
- 1:00p.m-2:00p.m.: Laos: Sustainable from the Start?
- 2:00p.m.-3:00p.m.: Kyrgyzstan: Communities at the Centre?