05 - 06 June 2025 (World Environment Day) Enhancing Sustainability in Local Travel and Tourism

Greeting from Franziska Giffey
"Tourism is a powerful economic driver for our city. At the same time, it challenges us to reconcile growth with quality of life and sustainability. Urban areas in particular need viable solutions that meet the needs of both the population and visitors. Mobility plays a key role in this context: sustainable and well-connected transport systems create local acceptance and invite visitors to explore new, climate-friendly modes of mobility – experiences that can inspire change in their home regions as well. This conference promotes the exchange of expertise and best practices, sending a strong signal for the integration of sustainable mobility and tourism development. In doing so, it provides valuable impulses for livable, future-ready cities – in Berlin and around the world."

The Conference Programme
Networking Event on Boat
19:00 pm - 22:30 pm
More information about the networking event
Event to get in touch with experts from science, politics and practice on board a riverboat.

Background of the Conference
Tourism can bring new economic prospects and business and employment opportunities. However, (over)tourism may also have some negative impacts such as congestion, price increases, loss of local cultural authenticity, environmental impacts, or deteriorating local air quality. In order to protect the attractiveness of tourist destinations and ensure positive experiences for both residents and visitors, it is essential to implement policies and projects that enhance economic, social, and environmental sustainability in transport and tourism. The conference discusses various trends and issues and provides a forum to explore proven and new technologies, digital solutions, and policy options for enhancing sustainable local mobility in tourism. The conference's core goal is to deepen the cooperation between researchers and practitioners. Regional and national tourism companies are invited to reflect on the topics, scientific findings, and international examples, develop solutions together with science, and apply suitable approaches to practice.

Topics of the Conference
The conference will be centered around the following topics:
- Strategies for achieving greater sustainability in tourism.
- New digital technologies and their impact on the tourism industry.
- Opportunities for cooperation and partnership between public and private sectors.
- Encouraging the use of local public transportation in tourism destinations.
- The importance of walking and cycling in sustainable tourism.
- Electric mobility and other new transportation options.
- Sustainability in waterborne transit and tourism.
- Managing (over)tourism while fostering tourist acceptance