The Roundtable at the ITB Berlin 2024

Input and Panel Discussion: "From Diversity to Inclusion - Integrating Marginalised Groups in Tourism Products" 
conceptualised & implemented by the Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism 

Join the Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism for a panel with distinguished sustainable tourism experts who will discuss the crucial role of the tourism industry in fostering diversity and inclusion from various perspectives. We will explore how tourism businesses can include marginalised people and groups and support their participation in travel products and processes. 
This session will showcase necessary steps and practicable actions to promote inclusivity for marginalised groups in tourism destinations and the supply chain. 
Get to know innovative approaches, collaborative partnerships and initiatives, and key points to consider on the road to a more equitable and socially responsible tourism industry that benefits all – the local communities, your partners, suppliers, investors, clients and, therefore, your own business.

Speaker:
Jara Schreiber, Coordinator - Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism 
Jeny Pokharel, Product Manager / Project Manager - SASANE Sisterhood Trekking and Travels Pvt. Ltd.
Michelle Mason, Ethical Recruitment Programme Manager - Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
Neha Arora, Founder - Planet Abled
Moderation: 
Katharina Stechl, Program Manager - Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism 

Panel discussion  “Joint effort, Joint Benefits - lndustry-wide Trainings on Human Rights for Tourism Suppliers”
conceptualised & implemented by the Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism  & Futouris

As a service-based industry, tourism companies can play a crucial role in protecting human rights along the value chain and in destinations. In the frame of increased regulations, we want to discuss how travel and tourism businesses implement human rights due diligence and what leads to success. How can particularly small and medium-sized tour operators that are so far not directly affected by supply chain laws get involved?
Ten companies from the European travel industry, five associations and non-profit organisations, have set out on this path through the joint development of freely available online training courses on human rights due diligence for direct suppliers/destination partners. The project was launched in 2023 under the lead of Futouris and the Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism.
How can implementing human rights due diligence change business practices and improve the engagement of direct suppliers and stakeholders of the entire industry? Discussions on these issues and more questions will be with representatives of key industry players.

Speaker:
Manfred Häupl, CEO / COO / Chairman - Hauser Exkursionen GmbH München
Petra Thomas, Chairwomen Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism, CEO - forum anders reisen e.V
Caroline Steimle, Head of Corporate Responsiblity - FTI Group
Moderation: 
Katharina Stechl, Program Manager - Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism 

Panel Discussion “ Human Rights and Child Protection in the Tourism Supply Chain”
conceptualised & implemented by Deutscher Reiseverband (DRV)

As a result of the new Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, issues such as human rights and child protection are becoming even more important. The panelist will discuss the impact of the law and how companies are dealing with it. They will strongly focus on the topic of human rights and child protection. What can the tourism industry do to implement its human rights due diligence obligations? What best practice initiatives are there in the area of child protection? What does each of us can do when travelling to protect children? Top representatives from tourism companies will elucidate on the exciting raised questions as well as showcase of best practices.

Speaker:

Alicia Kern, Head of Corporate Communications, Gebeco
Anita Dodds, Child Protection Expert, ECPAT Germany 
Jara Schreiber, Coordinator - Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism 
Laura Steden, Director Corporate Responsibility - DER Touristik Group

Moderation: 
Katharina Stechl, Program Manager - Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism 

Input and Interview:  “Fading Rainbows ‒ LGBTQ+ in Africa and What this Means for Human Rights and Tourism"
conceptualised & implemented by the Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism & Institute for Tourism and Development

LGBTQ+ rights are increasingly restricted. In Africa, more than half of the continent ban same-sex relationships. In 2023 alone, six African countries have taken steps to tighten their anti-homosexuality laws. Hatred and agitation against queer people have become more frequent, not only from the state side but also among the general public. Anti-gay legislations harm the human rights of LGBTQ+ locals and travellers. The laws often include criminalisation and potential punishment if hosting same-sex couples, observing or normalising homosexual conduct or neglecting to report same-sex relationships to the authorities if one were of them. These circumstances must prompt tour operators to act to ensure the safety of their guests and local partners and use their leverage to influence development positively.
In this session, panellists will discuss:

• What implications and impacts anti-homosexuality laws have on tourism?
• What tour operators can do to counteract legal obligations and blazes within the scope of their possibilities and work on sustainable tourism development with local partners?
• What efforts fighting homophobia and discrimination of LGBTQI+ persons can be made by tourism stakeholders onsite and internationally?

Speaker:
Claudia Mitteneder, Director - Institute for Tourism and Development
Michael Kajubi, Executive Director, McBern Foundation; Business Coach / Mentor, wmnsWork; Uganda
Moderation: 
Katharina Stechl, Program Manager - Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism

“TO DO Award Ceremony followed by Networking"
conceptualised & implemented by the Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism & the Institute for Tourism and Development

Since 1995, the Institute for Tourism and Development (Studienkreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung e.V.) has been awarding the international ‘TO DO Award’ to initiatives that contribute to sustainable and socially responsible tourism. What distinguishes the winners is their active involvement of the local population, the creation of income opportunities for locals in tourism, and the promotion of intercultural encounters between hosts and guests. Since 2017, the TO DO Award Human Rights in Tourism has also been presented annually. It honors initiatives that are particularly committed to protecting human rights principles along the entire tourism value chain. The award ceremony will take place during the ITB Berlin 2024.

Winners:
TO DO Award 2024
• Mrs. Poonam Rawat-Hahne: Fernweh Fair Travel / India
• Rolando Collaguazo: Yunguilla Community / Ecuador

TO DO Award Human Rights in Tourism
• Michael Kajubi: McBern Foundation / Uganda

Speaker:
Claudia Mitteneder, Director - Institute for Tourism and Development
Rika Jean-Francois, Commissioner - ITB Corporate Social Responsibility
Moderation: 
Katharina Stechl, Program Manager - Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism

Presentation:  “Human Rights are your Business ‒ Why Protection and Benefit go Hand in Hand”
conceptualised & implemented by the Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism 

Do you know your value chain as a tour operator? Cleaners, tour guides, street vendors, drivers and the people who live in a destination ‒ all of them, to mention a few, are part of a tourism product and make a significant contribution to the tourism experience. In a nutshell: People make tourism possible. Protecting their rights and ensuring dignified living and working conditions is therefore not only part of corporate due diligence but has a direct positive impact on the tourism product and the success of companies in this service-oriented sector. In the face of increasing government regulations and laws such as the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, which has been in force since January 2023 and debated for a direction at the European Union level, companies are being held more accountable and must face up to this responsibility.

Speaker:
Jara Schreiber, Coordinator - Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism 
Katharina Stechl, Program Manager - Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism