Human Rights in Tourism – More Important than Ever in the Crisis and Beyond

Even when planes stay on the ground, hotel rooms empty and travel agencies closed – the Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism´s (Roundtable) work continues and even gains relevance due to the Corona crisis and the German supply chain law.

From 9-12 March 2021 at ITB Berlin Now, the Roundtable as a co-exhibitor in the “Responsible Tourism” segment will not only present its broad range of supporting offers for the implementation of human rights due diligence in tourism but will also be available for bilateral exchange. Every day from 11:30 – 11:50 a.m during ITB., the multi-stakeholder initiative will give a short and concise lecture titled “Human Rights matter – also in Tourism. Get to know the Roundtable and its tools and offers” in its showroom (Brand Card). In cooperation with ECPAT Germany, The Code, Tourism Watch and the Studienkreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung, the Roundtable will also be hosting the “Human Rights & Participation” corner in the “ITB Responsible Tourism” Café. In the Studiosus Talk: “Human Rights in Supply Chains: Which due diligence law do we need?” (German only), which will take place on Friday, 12 March from 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. on Convention Stage 1, Roundtable chairwoman Antje Monshausen will discuss the influence and importance of a legal framework in the tourism industry with representatives of business and science. “We appreciate a legal basis to strengthen human rights due diligence in the supply chain”, says board- and founding member Peter-Mario Kubsch (Managing Director of Studiosus) in the run-up to the event. “Only if as many companies as possible demand respect for human rights from their suppliers worldwide, we will be able to contribute substantially to improving the situation. And that should be the goal for all of us.”

For many years, the Roundtable has already successfully worked on its mission to build a trustworthy network of tourism stakeholders and to support the implementation of human rights due diligence, according to the UN Guiding Principles, in tourism enterprises, the supply chain and destinations. The Roundtable organises an annual international symposium in addition to the existing offers – such as a comprehensive resource center, training, and online tools. It regularly hosts free, practice-oriented webinars on various aspects of the topic of tourism and human rights. An overview of past and upcoming webinars can be found on the website.

The Roundtable has the vision to be the most effective multi-stakeholder initiative to promote human rights in tourism. For this purpose, the association wants to grow and expand its network. Membership of the Roundtable is open to all tourism companies and institutions that identify with and commit to the Roundtable’s principles.

The Roundtable at ITB Berlin Now 2021: All dates at a glance

Tuesday, 09. March 2021

10:00 – 10:30
Opening of the ITB Responsible Tourism Café and its corners
(Responsible Tourism Café)

11:30 – 11:50
Human Rights matter – also in Tourism. Get to know the Roundtable and its tools and offers (Roundtable ShowRoom)

12:30 – 13:00 Lunch Briefing
Human Rights in Tourism – Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism
(Responsible Tourism Café, Corner: Human Rights and Participation)

14:00 – 14:40
TO DO Human Rights in Tourism Award Ceremony – Studienkreis für Tourismus und Entwicklung (Roundtable member)
(Convention Stage 2)

15:35 – 16:15 Uhr
ITB Panel Discussion: Tourism & Human Rights: Multiple experiences of discrimination and inequality and how to fight it (with a content contribution by the Roundtable)
(Convention Stage 2)

Wednesday, 10. March 2021

10:00 – 10:30 Uhr Breakfast Briefing
Analysing and preventing human rights risks in the tourism value chain – the example of child rights – Roundtable Human Rights & ECPAT Germany
(Responsible Tourism Café, Corner: Human Rights and Participation)

11:30 – 11:50 Uhr
Human Rights matter – also in Tourism. Get to know the Roundtable and its tools and offers (Roundtable ShowRoom)

Thursday, 11. March 2021

11:30 – 11:50 Uhr
Human Rights matter – also in Tourism. Get to know the Roundtable and its tools and offers (Roundtable ShowRoom)

12:30 – 13:00 Lunch Briefing
Analysing and preventing human rights risks in the tourism value chain – the example of child rights – Roundtable Human Rights & ECPAT Germany
(Responsible Tourism Café, Corner: Human Rights and Participation)

Friday, 12. März 2021

11:30 – 11:50 Uhr
Human Rights matter – also in Tourism. Get to know the Roundtable and its tools and offers (Roundtable ShowRoom)

14:00 – 14:30 Uhr
Studiosus-Gespräch: Menschenrechte in den Lieferketten: Welches Sorgfaltspflichtengesetz brauchen wir? – with the Roundtable Chairwoman Antje Monshausen (Germany only)
(Convention Stage 1)

15:15 – 15:55 Uhr
ITB Panel Discussion: Just Transitions in Global Tourism (Roundtable member)
(Convention Stage 1)