Political unrest and terrorist attacks were often headline news last year. Tourist numbers fell sharply in a number of countries representing major travel destinations, such as Turkey and France. Overall however, this had little impact on the travel industry. According to the findings of the 2016 World Travel Monitor® survey conducted by IPK International, travel abroad actually rose by four per cent and at just under 1.1 billion international trips achieved a new record. Globally, the market organisation forecasts a further four per cent increase in trips abroad for 2017.

Safety and security will be the dominant theme at the ITB Destination Days. On 9 March a keynote session on 'The Status Quo and the Future of Security Policy and Technology' will address controversial issues, examining regions where risk levels are particularly high, suitable strategic and technical measures for improving safety and security, and offering advice for destinations on how to increase safety for travellers.

Last year’s key topic on the service provided by humanoid robots will be continued at the ITB Convention 2017 with a focus on artificial intelligence. Technology giants are investing heavily in researching and finding uses for artificial intelligence. People and the industry are being driven forward by innovation. It seems only a matter of time before the latest technology impacts on travel behaviour and parts of the tourism service chain.

Geopolitical crises and disasters, travel safety risks and artificial intelligence will be the main topics at the ITB Berlin Convention 2017. Over the course of four days and 200 sessions 400 speakers will highlight the current challenges facing the tourism industry.