The ITB Berlin Media Summit, part of the ITB Berlin Convention, is set to conduct a seminar next month to discuss the future of communications in the tourism industry.

It will be held on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds on 12 March this year and will see journalists, members of the media and of publishing companies, as well as advertising and marketing executives representing tour operators, the online travel industry, aviation, the hotel industry and tourism organisations in attendance.

The keynote address will be delivered by former Federal Minister of Economics and Labour Wolfgang Clement and will ask whether blogs, Facebook and other social media are replacing travel publications.

Those taking part in the discussion will include Berlin media journalist Hajo Schumacher as chair, Welt Online General Manager Romanus Otte, ADAC Motorwelt Editor-in-Chief Michael Ramstetter, REWE Corporate Communication Division Area Manager Tobias Jüngert and TrustYou chief executive Benjamin Jost.

“Changes in the way that the media are used will compel media companies to adopt a new way of thinking” said Messe Berlin Director Competence Centre Travel and Logistics Dr. Martin Buck.

“Magazines are disappearing from the market, publications contain fewer pages, the daily papers are clearly losing their appeal, and their readers are turning to the internet.

“Quality journalism seems to be falling by the wayside. Meanwhile an uncertain travel industry is asking: How do we reach the consumer?”

“At the ITB Media Summit we want to start people thinking, and provide some answers.”