As the world reopens and tourism prepares for a slow relaunch, this virtual summit will look at how destinations around the world are dealing with the new challenges and opportunities they face because of the pandemic. We will be talking to destinations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, to understand what is working and where there are stumbling blocks. How will governments and destinations use technology to implement new health and safety protocols? How can sustainability and resilience become part of the relaunch and ongoing narrative? How can destinations ensure that a sensible approach to safety does not ruin the authenticity of the travel experience?

This webinar is one of a series of activities presented by  Finn Partners and the Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council, and is part of a series of initiatives which include the launch of the Finn Partner Travel Recovery and Resilience Think Tank, a unique collection of some of the world’s best thinkers in health, tech, travel, sustainability, media and culture.

Opening session

• Debbie Flynn, Managing Partner, Finn Partners Global Travel Practice
• Daniela Wagner, Group Business Development Director, Jacobs Media Group

A More Sustainable World

• James Thornton, CEO, Intrepid Group
• Anita Mendiratta, Founder, Anita Mendiratta & Associates

Deep Dive into Asia 

Moderator: Cathy Chon, Managing Partner, FINN Partners Asia

• Mario Hardy, CEO, Pacific Asia Travel Association
• Keith Tan, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board
• Kairat Sadvakassov, Vice Chairman of the Board, Kazakh Tourism National Company

Deep Dive into Europe

Moderator:  Ian Taylor, Executive Editor, Travel Weekly Group

• E. Rita Marques, Secretary of State for Tourism, Portugal
• Christopher Rodrigues, CBE, Ambassador, WTTC; former CEO, VISA; former CEO, Thomas Cook; Chair, Visit Britain; Trustee, National Funding Scheme
• Eduardo Santander, Executive Director, European Travel Commission

Deep Dive into the Middle East

Moderator:  Jeremy Jauncey, CEO and Founder, Beautiful Destinations

• Raki Philips, CEO, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority
• E. Khaled al-Anany, Minister, Tourism and Antiquities, Egypt
• Taleb Rifai, Chairman, African Tourism Board, Project Hope Covid-19 Task Force; former Secretary General, UNWTO
• Ibrahim Osta, Director, Middle East and N. Africa, Chemonics International

Deep Dive into Africa

Moderator: Jillian Blackbeard, CEO, Victoria Falls Regional Tourism Association

• E. Najib Balala, Minister of Tourism and Wildlife, Kenya
• Taleb Rifai, Chairman, African Tourism Board, Project Hope Covid-19 Task Force; former Secretary General, UNWTO
• E. Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, Minister of Tourism, South Africa
• E. Madame Pratt, Minister of Tourism, Sierra Leone

Deep Dive into the Americas

Moderator: Lee Hayhurst, Head of News, Travel Weekly

• E. Edmund Bartlett, MP, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica
• Roger Dow, President and CEO, U.S. Travel Association
• Elliott Ferguson, President and CEO, Destination DC
• Greg Takehara, CEO, Tourism Cares