From Florence Italy during Pitti Uomo, this spontaneous podcast happened while walking to another appointment. I met Felipe Fiallo while the Italian shoe designer was discussing his collection.
I grabbed a tablet, then asked him to go over his footwear designs.
Brave New Technologies at the ITB Berlin The long-running success of ITB is the potentiality and excitement of travelling. However, for travel companies client retention and expansion is now more competitive than ever. Much of this is in innovation and trend setting. In recent years technology has become rapidly foregrounded in the travel experience.
At the opening press conference of this year’s ITB Berlin such technological matters were evaluated. In particular, Mitra Sorrels, SVP Content of Phocuswright, had poignant opinions. Sorrels is currently preoccupied with current industry data, development and trends. This includes the role of generative AI and social media in global and European markets.
The global travel industry is undergoing a rapid transformation. This is driven by technological advancements, sustainability initiatives, and shifting consumer behaviors. From AI-driven personalization to responsible tourism and infrastructure investments, key trends are shaping tourism’s future.
Travel trends are evolving to meet the growing demand for personalized, efficient, and sustainable experiences. The rise of remote work and digital nomadism has led to an increased demand for long-term stays. Luxury and experiential travel is redefining exclusivity with immersive cultural and adventure-based experiences. Sustainability is becoming a priority, with travelers opting for green travel initiatives. This includes eco-friendly accommodation; carbon offset programs, and regenerative tourism.
Meanwhile, AI is revolutionizing the industry by enhancing efficiency and personalization. AI-powered chatbots, virtual assistants, and predictive analytics enable seamless trip planning. The now ubiquitous facial recognition and biometric security improve airport efficiency. Responsible travel is also gaining momentum as businesses implement eco-conscious practices. This includes sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and AI-driven optimization of flight routes to reduce emissions.
Tourism has become highly digitalized. Mobile apps, blockchain-based travel solutions, and contactless technologies have improved efficiency. Generative AI is transforming content creation, enabling travel companies to enhance marketing strategies. AI-driven virtual tours and real-time recommendations are further enhancing the travel experience.
The future of global travel will be shaped by AI, sustainability, and digital innovation. Businesses that embrace these changes will drive the industry forward, offering seamless, eco-conscious, and highly personalized travel experiences.
~ By Steven Yates
ITB Berlin (Internationale Tourismus-Börse Berlin) has since 1966 been a leading global travel trade fair. It takes place annually in March in Berlin West and is organized by Messe Berlin GmbH. For nearly sixty years, up to 180 countries have presented their offers at ITB. These have also included focused cities and regions, tour operators, booking portals and hotels.
Every year ITB chooses a new partner country or region. The respective partner country hosts a program of events including the grand opening ceremony. Last year it was Oman and this year it was the turn of Albania. At the opening press conference, Edi Rama, the Prime Minister of Albania, was also present. With dry humor, he fielded questions from the audience as well as online. As ITB host, Albania wants to promote its Alps, Adriatic beaches and historical sites.
The three-day event from 4th-6th March was the usual showcase of global travel. What makes each year different is the current trends in destinations and technology. This is featured most in the presentations and discussions. In 2024 Germany experienced a record year with a near 6% turnover growth. Currently, the popular destinations for Germans are in the eastern Mediterranean and Asia, cruises particularly popular.
On a global level, there are emerging vertical markets that are becoming choice destinations. In particular, Saudi Arabia is looking to make a return on its high-profile international tourism spending. Meanwhile, Turkey is continuing to perform and out-perform its tourism targets. Thailand and particularly India are predicted to grow domestically and internationally. India’s outbound trips are expected to increase fivefold by 2040, and inbound tourism is also booming.
Three other countries to look out for in global travel are Tunisia, Egypt and Bulgaria. Along with its attractive prices, Bulgaria has also introduced new flights to attract more tourists. Varna in the north and southern Burgas are two destinations that will increase such flights.
Otherwise, sustainable tourism was also very much on the agenda. In the Balearic Islands, for example, they are trying to combine local interests with tourism. This will also include protecting natural resources and cultural heritage.
ITB Berlin was held from March 4th to March 6th in Berlin.
By Steven Yates
At the Helmut Newton Foundation in Berlin, a new series opened titled POLAROIDS. The exhibition centers on Polaroid pictures shot by many famed photographers. The once popular instant camera were a big part of the creative process for professional picture takers.
POLAROIDS runs from until July 25, 2025.
I was not familiar with Lineapelle, the Milan trade fair for luxury leather. For three days this massive gathering focuses on the real work of fashion, sourcing. Designers come here for the purpose of searching for the materials. The cavernous halls filled with suppliers big and small showing desired skins to clients.
After gathering my thoughts together, I had to hit the ground running. The public sees the fashion shows, the glitz and glamour of the industry. Lineapelle is where the real business starts. So many tanneries, different leathers, ways to stitch, number of pieces, quality of the skin. In one day after speaking to attendees and exhibitors I had the equivalent of a one-year university course from the best fashion university. Experienced professional colleagues explained many details involved in the transforming a skin component to a sought-after product. For not only small items, interior design requires a high degree knowledge and skillset. For instance, upholstery leather gets wrapped in order fit a living room sofa or car seat.
Leathers have different characteristics, various suppleness, grades. The dying techniques used to color skins can range from simple to complex. The process of pattern printing leather intrigued me. A designer used this practice to design a youthful collection shown on the Lineapelle runway.
Farmed animal skins are traced from beginning to finish. The sustainable aspects of using quality leather explained to me in one sentence, “A good leather endures.” Quality controls employed by brands and producers for certain products. I discussed the recent bag scandals. The “masstige” handbags made under questionable circumstances are not produced in the same factories as the more prestigious items. Expensive skin handbags are put together in closely monitor controlled conditions by experienced craftsmen. An alligator skin’s one-piece skin can cost thousand of dollars versus a cow skin which costs far less. As mentioned earlier, the stitching methods used for exotic leathers are more intricate.
After attending my first Lineapelle, I have a new appreciation for well-made leather products. Buy better!
This season from Milan Fashion Week, a different angle, we are covering Lineapelle. The large trade fair on luxury leather production. The event is something, an education on how to produce opulent products.
Stay tuned for more.
The 75th Berlinale is coming to a close. Did the film festival make a sharp turn upward? For this Chat Cinema podcast round up discuss the cinema event under new leader head Tricia Tuttle.
Designer Victor Hart from Bologna gave a fast interview about his denim line. Stay tuned for the video story.
The Critic: Strong performance from McKellen
Finally released in German cinemas, The Critic stars renowned stage and screen actor Sir Ian McKellen. It is London, 1934, and McKellen is an infamous theatre critic called Jimmy Erskine. For fifty years Erskine has written biting theatrical reviews for respected national newspaper The Daily Chronicle. When the newspaper proprietor dies, his son David Brooke (Mark Strong) takes charge. However, Brooke wants to implement immediate changes to compete with its rival The Daily Mail. He also advises Erskine to tone down his writing style, and public proclivities.
Meanwhile, struggling theatre actress Nina Land (Gemma Arterton) also admires Erskine’s work. Therefore, she is upset by his cruel reviews of her performances, and this also infuriates Brooke. When Erskine is arrested for drunken and lewd behavior, the editor issues him a final warning. This will soon culminate in Brooke ending Erskine’s contract with one month’s notice.
Needing to save his job, Erskine watches Nina’s performance in Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Brooke is also in the audience and Erskine notices him emotionally moved. Therefore he writes Nina the glowing review she has always wished for. However, this praise for Nina will come at a cost. In return, she must do him a favor and seduce the already besotted Chronicle editor.
The Critic is McKellen’s film, he almost singlehandedly saves it from oblivion. Although Arterton and Strong give excellent supporting performances, no other characters are foregrounded or resonate. Patrick Marber’s previous scripts for Closer (2004) and Notes on a Scandal (2006) had tangible sensitivity. However, in The Critic witticisms take precedent over progressive characterization.
Anand Tucker is multi-talented and experienced in all aspects of film production. Here, however, the effect is counter-productive. There is no conspicuous director imprint and so the trajectory becomes jarring. Indeed, The Critic premiered at Toronto IFF in September 2023 to mixed reviews. It was considered that the dark ending was unpopular with the audience. Therefore, the film’s distributor requested re-shoots. The September 2024 general release had a new cut and a new ending.
By Steven Yates
