From AI and Luxury Travel to Destination Growth: ITB Americas Conference Explores the Future of Travel Across the Americas

As the knowledge hub of the inaugural ITB Americas, the ITB Americas Conference will take place alongside the exhibition, bringing together senior executives, destination leaders, innovators and policymakers to discuss the trends reshaping travel across the Americas and beyond.

Spanning 2.5 days across two stages, the conference features more than 40 sessions organized into six thematic tracks, covering everything from artificial intelligence and next-generation distribution to aviation connectivity, destination competitiveness, sustainability and luxury travel. The program delivers practical insights for travel companies, destinations, investors and decision-makers operating in one of the world's fastest-evolving tourism regions.

Travel Forward: Navigate What’s Next

Under the guiding theme “Travel Forward: Navigate What’s Next,” the ITB Americas Conference Program will examine the key forces driving transformation across the travel industry. Discussions will explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping traveler behavior, how rapidly evolving distribution models are redefining business strategies, and how changing consumer expectations are influencing the future of travel.

Bringing together leading voices from across the industry, the conference will focus on actionable insights and strategic decision-making, offering data-driven perspectives and practical takeaways for destinations, hotels, airlines, OTAs, travel advisors, technology providers, investors and other tourism stakeholders.

The future of travel is shaped by the ideas and actions we embrace today. Through the ITB Americas Conference, we are bringing together the voices and expertise that can inspire new thinking, drive meaningful collaboration and turn opportunities into progress across the Americas.

Vicente Salas Hesselbach, Vice President & Managing Director Americas at Messe Berlin

Meet the Voices Defining the Future of Travel in the Americas

From global travel brands and destination organizations to technology pioneers and media executives, the speaker lineup reflects the diversity of the travel ecosystem. Attendees can expect forward-looking discussions, market intelligence and practical strategies from leaders actively shaping the industry's next chapter.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Sebastien Leitner, VP Strategic Partnerships, Cloudbeds

• Arabelle del Pilar Rosario, Spa & Wellness Director, Dominican Republic, Meliá Hotels International

• Cuitlahuac Gutiérrez, SVP Institutional Relations, Government, Airports and Industry Affairs at Aeroméxico and President of CANAERO

• Pierre Emile Vandoorne, VP Global Affairs LATAM, Netflix

• Lourdes Hainlin, VP Partner Services Southern Americas & Cruise Industry, Forbes Travel Guide

• Samantha Couture, Director of Operations for North and Central America, G Adventures

• Rocco Bova, Founder, Summit Mexicano de la Hospitalidad

• Alejandra Durán, Executive Director, CORSATUR

• Regárdo Lewis, International Sales Manager for Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia, Rovos Rail

• Paola Prieto, Co-Founder & Board Member, Nao Travel Collection

• Bruno Wendling, Director & President, Mato Grosso do Sul Tourism Board

• Majka Szura, General Manager, Polka Travel

• Sara Meaney, Managing Partner, Coraggio Group

• Julio Andrés Morales, Area Sales Manager, HBX Group

Additional speakers will be announced in the coming months. Industry experts interested in joining the ITB Americas Conference as speakers are invited to submit their applications by September 1, 2026. Applications can be submitted here.

Six tracks covering the industry's biggest opportunities

Designed to reflect the full breadth of today's travel industry, the conference program is organized into six tracks, each addressing key business priorities and opportunities across the Americas travel market:

• Future, Technology & Innovation

• Marketing, Distribution & Growth

• Destinations & Public Sector

• Experiences, Hospitality & Value Creation

• Mobility, Aviation & Connectivity

• Sustainability, Talent & Responsible Travel

Sessions are specifically designed for the dynamics of the Americas travel market while offering globally relevant perspectives. Every session will be conducted in English, supported with live captions and simultaneous Spanish translation, ensuring accessibility for an international audience.

Guided by a Board of Experts

The conference program has been developed with the strategic support of an international Board of Experts, ensuring a balanced perspective across policy, sustainability and market intelligence.

The advisory board includes:

• Enrique de la Madrid Cordero, former Secretary of Tourism of Mexico and one of Latin America's leading tourism policy experts

• Mayte Redondo Castuera, sustainability and responsible travel specialist advising destinations across Europe and the Americas

• Olivier Ponti, Director of Market Intelligence & Insights at Amadeus and one of the industry's leading voices on travel demand and market intelligence

Knowledge at the heart of the first Pan-American travel marketplace

The conference complements an exhibition that has already achieved significant market momentum, with 70% of exhibition space secured months ahead of the inaugural event. More than 5,000 travel professionals from over 42 countries are expected to attend, while leading destinations, global hotel brands, airlines, travel technology companies and tourism organizations are helping establish ITB Americas as the region's new strategic business platform.

By combining high-value networking, qualified business meetings and a forward-looking conference program, ITB Americas offers a unique platform where commercial opportunities meet industry leadership. ITB Americas will bring together approximately 80% participants from the Americas and 20% from international markets, creating a gateway for global companies seeking access to the region while strengthening connections across the Western Hemisphere.

Media accreditation includes complimentary access to the complete ITB Americas Conference program

For accredited media, access to the full ITB Americas Conference is included with the press & media accreditation, offering journalists direct access to industry leaders, exclusive insights and high-level discussions shaping the future of travel.

For more information, visit www.itb-americas.com (-> messe-berlin.universal-messenger.cloud) or contact the ITB Americas team at [email protected].

Stay connected with ITB Americas

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