8:30 – 9:00 Networking Session

9:00 – 9:05 Call to Order, Welcome and Introductions

• Master of Ceremony, Rajan Datar, Journalist and Host, BBC

9:05 – 9:40 Driving Economic Growth Through Resilience and Innovation in Tourism

The power of tourism to drive economic growth, investment, and job creation is critical to the development of countries and regions. Sarajevo is the perfect host to highlight the dynamic industry and its growth potential worldwide.

• Duncan Horton, Group CEO, Jacobs Media parent company for Resilience Council and Travolution

• Ibrahim Osta, Senior Destination Development Advisor, USAID Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Courtney Chubb, Mission Director, USAID/Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director, UN Tourism, Spain

• H.E. Nasiha Pozder, Minister of Environment and Tourism, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

9:40 – 10:00 Plenary 1 State of Play and Growth Prospects for European Tourism: Opportunities for Southeast Europe and Western Balkans

Deep Dive Presentation: Setting the scene regarding the industry in southeastern Europe, offering data and insights for market and investment planning.

• David Goodger, Managing Director, EMEA, Oxford Economics, United Kingdom

10:00 – 10:45 Plenary 2 Pristine Destinations – What’s Left to Discover?

Parts of southeastern Europe remain untouched as do other parts of the world, what secrets can be shared and what stands out as exciting destination development? Regional tourism leaders outline each country’s uniqueness and prospects for regional collaboration.

• Andrei Chistol, State Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Republic of Moldova

• Haris Fazlagić, President of Sarajevo Canton Tourism Board, Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Marija Labovic, President and CEO, National Tourism Organisation, Republic of Serbia

• Jasmina Leskarovska, Director, Agency for Promotion and Support of Tourism Republic of North Macedonia

• Moderator: Ibrahim Osta, Senior Destination Development Advisor, USAID Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Turizam)

10:45 – 11:00 Plenary 3 KEYNOTE - Tete a Tete: Growing tourism while focusing on diversification and differentiation.

11:00 – 11:15 SPOTLIGHT Governments Can Drive Inspiration

A membership organization utilizes its 30M subscribers to augment government entities’ strategic communications plans and ensure international traffic. Hear how they do it.

• Cat Jordan, Global Director of Communications, Travelzoo

11:15 – 11:30 BREAK

11:30 - 12:15 Plenary 4 Strategies of Resilience and Profitability

To ensure long-term success, destinations must confront challenges by establishing resilient frameworks supported by robust airlift and a diverse range of accommodations. Essential to this framework is a thorough comprehension of potential risks and proactive measures to mitigate them. Join us as leading experts unveil strategies for sustainable growth and risk management in planning at the destination and country levels.

• Anca Apahidean, Area Manager Eastern Europe, IATA, Romania

• Dr. Nikhil Kilpady, Consulting Director, Aerospace, Frost & Sullivan

• Inge Huijbrechts, Global SVP Sustainability, Security and Corporate Comms, Radisson Hotel Group, Belgium

• Nikos Gkolfinopoulos, Global Head of Travel, ICF, Spain

• Urška Starc-Peceny, PhD, Partner, D3Hub - EU Competence Centre Slovenia

• Moderator: Ian Taylor, Executive Editor, Travel Weekly Group

12:15 – 12:25 Plenary 5 KEYNOTE Fueling Tourism Growth, Impact and Scalability Through Innovation

• Rajan Datar of the BBC discusses destination development inspiration with Jamey Butcher, President and CEO, Chemonics International, USA

12:25 – 13:05 Plenary 6 Data-Driven Informed Planning for Destination Success

Crafting an irresistible destination demands that companies, tourism boards and governments collaborate to harness the power of real-time data capture and analysis to elevate marketing strategies, enhance management practices, and bolster visitor loyalty. This entails delving into intricate visitor profiles, exploring touring behaviours, dissecting spending habits, and even discerning preferences and dislikes. Speakers will explore the dynamic realm of analytics to serve as a compass guiding progress toward commercial and developmental goals.

• Carlos Cendra, Partner/CMCO, Mabrian Industries, Spain

• Yves Marceau, Vice President, Product, GAdventures, USA

• Tomi Ilijas, CEO/Founder, Arctur Slovenia

• Moderator: Amjad Sawalha, Tourism Product Development, ASEER Development Authority (ASDA) Saudi Arabia

13:05 – 13:15 SPOTLIGHT – The Devil is in the Data, Carlos Cendra, Partner and CCMO, Mabrian

13:15 – 14:15 LUNCH

14:15-15:00 Plenary 7 Building Industry Anchors: DEI, ESG and Workforce Enhancement

Thriving tourism hinges upon a comprehensive approach encompassing every facet, from communication and destination management to nurturing a skilled workforce. For destination success, it's paramount to scrutinize trade dynamics, ensuring their quest for profit aligns with the imperatives of gender equality and social empowerment. Cultivating a workforce capable of upholding a company's or destination's brand promise is essential and must be accompanied by empowering them with the innovation-driven skills needed to steer organizations, regardless of size. This must be done in an environment that fosters innovation and inclusion and empowers the disabled.

• Jessica Matthias, Director, Global Sustainability, SABRE Corp. USA

• Anne Lotter, Executive Director, GTTP, United Kingdom

• Fedja Begovic, Chief of Party, USAID Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Christian Delom, Secretary General, A World for Travel, France

• Jake Haupert, Conscious CEO, The Transformation Travel Council (USA)

• Moderator: Rika Jean-Francois, MissionRespo, Founder; former Head of CSR, ITB; GSTC Board Member; Roundtable Human Rights in Tourism e.V. Board Member Germany

15:00 – 15:45 Plenary 8 Destination Partnerships Enabling Attraction of High-Value Global Visitors

While destination marketing concentrates on attracting visitors, destination management addresses the broader aspects of creating a robust tourism destination. Governments have to boost visitor numbers and improve the destination's brand image to increase competitiveness. However, marketing efforts alone may overlook the potential negative impacts of mass tourism and fail to sustainably manage the destination. Governments must deploy their strategies to carefully balance the economic, environmental, and socio-cultural aspects to ensure long-term sustainability and success. This session will show ultimately, integrating both approaches offers the most successful outcome, enabling destinations to attract tourists while preserving their natural and cultural heritage, benefiting the local community, and ensuring long-term economic viability.

• Cat Jordan, Global Director of Communications, Travelzoo United Kingdom

• Dr. Lori Pennington-Gray, SmartState Center for Excellence in Tourism and Economic Development, University of South Carolina USA

• Scarlet Sherriff, Sustainability Manager, TTC United Kingdom

• Biljana Braithwaite, CEO and Founder, Sustineri Partners

• Moderator: Rajan Dater, Journalist and Host, BBC

15:45- 16:00 SPOTLIGHT: Imperatives for Sustainable Development

• Jessica Matthias, Global Sustainability Director, SABRE Corp.

16:00 – 16:45 Plenary 9 The Mystique of Natural and Rural Areas Driving Destination Differentiation in Southeast Europe

Discover the untapped potential of nature-based tourism in southeastern Europe, particularly Bosnia Herzegovina, as we delve into the strategic integration of nature and rural tourism. While 80% of tourism relies on nature, it remains overlooked in the travel and tourism industry's planning and protection efforts. This session unveils the immense US$600 billion opportunity for economic growth by harmonizing tourism with nature assets. We will explore how positioning nature at the forefront ensures future resilience and a unique chance for destinations to diversify their offer while safeguarding natural heritage. Rural havens are emerging as coveted destinations, not only offering retreats but also driving development for their respective residents. The key lies in striking a delicate balance between tourism development and preservation. Where are the innovations and what opportunities does the future hold?

• Natalia Turcanu, Tourism Industry and Marketing Manager, USAID RCRA Project, Chemonics International Moldova

• Nina Kovac, Tourism Product Development Team Leader, USAID Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Nicos Nicholas, CEO and Co-Founder, Trees4Travel

• Moderator: Paige McClanahan, Author and journalist, Scribner

16:45 -17:00 SPOTLIGHT Opportunities to attract Brazilian and Latin American visitors

Introduction by: Selma Laganin, Enabling Environment and Policy Specialist, USAID Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina

CONCURRENT

17:00 - 18:30 B2B Networking Session with Brazilian tour operators

Organized by USAID Turizam, in collaboration with Turkish Airlines, the B2B Networking Session will connect DMCs from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) with 9 invited Brazilian tour operators. Prior to the Summit, 9 Brazilian tour operators will participate in a familiarization visit across BiH, offering them a firsthand experience of the country's unique tourism offer. The activity is designed to forge business connections, with a goal of expanding the sales distribution channels of BiH's DMCs, and increasing demand from Brazil to BiH.

• Facilitator: Jusuf Jamakosmanović, Experiences Development and Destination Marketing Team Leader, USAID Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina

CONCURRENT

17:00 – 18:00 B2B Meet and Greet Exchange

Develop international business connections and collaborations. Take the opportunity to exchange a brief hello with other speakers and participants in a focused setting.

19:30 Networking DINNER

Program

Resilience and Innovation Highlights From Day 1

• Daniela Wagner, Director Business Development, Jacobs Media

• Ibrahim Osta, Senior Destination Development Advisor, USAID Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Turizam)

Cultural Program by Soprano Amna Aganovic

Dance performance by the Folklore Ensemble

08:30 Networking Coffee

09:00 Call to Order and Welcome Rajan Datar, Journalist and Host, BBC

09:05 – 09:20 Plenary 10 KEYNOTE How Innovation Cements Resilience

Looking at the need to ensure resilient destinations we understand the value that innovation plays in long term resilience.

• Honourable Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica

09:20- 10:15 Start-up Competition

• Introduction Kate Harden-England, Editor, Travolution

• Introduction of Judges Maida Gopo Hamzic, Access to Finance and Investment Specialist, USAID Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina

First round of start-up pitches

This session will see the founders of five travel start-ups each give short ten-minute elevator pitches about their companies in front of a panel of industry experts who have three minutes to grill them on their plans. Start-ups will benefit from an expert judging panel with an exclusive prize of mentoring to the winner of the live pitch battle.

Judges

• Tetyana Dudka, Senior Vice President, Europe & Eurasia, Chemonics International

• Amra Omeragić, Investment Manager at Finance in Motion/BiH

• Ivan Brezak Brkan – Director, Developer Content, Infobip; Founder, Shift Mag.dev & Netokracija (CRO)

• Peter Melcher, Sr. Principal, EMEA Public Relations, Sabre

• Juan Chamarro Romeu, Investment Manager, Amadeus Ventures

10:15 – 10:30 BREAK

10:30 – 11:20 Second round of start-up pitches

This session will see the founders of five travel start-ups each give short ten-minute elevator pitches about their companies in front of a panel of industry experts who have three minutes to grill them on their plans.

• Introduction, Kate Harden-England, Editor, Travolution

Judges

• Tetyana Dudka, Senior Vice President, Europe & Eurasia, Chemonics International

• Amra Omeragić, Investment Manager at Finance in Motion/BiH

• Ivan Brezak Brkan, Director of Developer Content, Infobip: Founder, Shift Mag.dev & Netokracija (CRO)

• Peter Melcher, Sr. Principal, EMEA Public Relations, Sabre

• Juan Chamarro Romeu, Investment Manager, Amadeus Ventures

11:20- 12:00 Plenary 11 Where are the Regional Gaps in Attracting Investment?

Millions are in the market, and our speakers will share where they see the gaps in attracting funding, developing projects and ensuring the region’s growth.

• Introduction: Azra Dzigal, Destination Competitiveness Team Leader, USAID Developing Sustainable Tourism in Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Nicolas Marquier, Regional Director, IFC

12:00 – 12:45 Plenary 12 Driving Destination Investment and Finance

How should destinations position themselves for maximum investment or should investment be driven by plan specific to resilient frameworks? Further to the information set forth in the Tete a Tete what are destinations able to do to strengthen their financial positioning? Are collaborations a good strategy?

• Florian Van der Belellen, Head of Destination Development, PKF Hospitality Austria

• Sandrine Friscia, EIB Representative, Bosnia and Herzegovinia, Montenegro, European Investment Bank

• Nina Pobrić, Head of the Investment Promotion Department Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA)

• Mirza Karić, Executive Manager at Dubos Consulting, BiH

• Branko Kecman, Advantis Brokers, BiH

• Moderator: Ian Taylor, Executive Editor, Travel Weekly UK

12:45 – 12:55 Plenary 13 Tete a Tete Interview with Rajan Datar: Creating a Strong Commercial Position through Risk Management and Financial Controls

• Will Plummer, CEO, Trust My Group

• Rajan Datar, Journalist and Host, BBC

12:55 – 13:10 Plenary 14 Presentation: Catalysing Tech Entrepreneurship in BiH and Southeast Europe

The region is a hot bed for top emerging talent and sometimes it only takes the knowledge of how to tap into it to discover the hidden gems. This keynote will delve into how to become a tech entrepreneur, how to unearth them and how support a tech entrepreneur once discovered to ensure it has all the relevant resources and strategies in place for success.

• Introduction: Kate Harden-England, Executive Editor, Travolution

• Joshua Ryan-Saha, Director, Traveltech for Scotland

13:10 – 13:25 Plenary 15 Regional company spotlighted: Navigating success through a tried and tested point of view

We welcome a Balkan-founded company who are no longer in the start-up stage to share important learnings from its journey to success and what its origin story looked like, as well as overcoming challenges it has faced over its time.

• Introduction: Kate Harden-England, Executive Editor, Travolution

• Matija Marijan, Frano Kauzlarić, CEO at Turneo/CRO [Croatian Startup Turneo Makes PhocusWire's Top List - Total Croatia (total-croatia-news.com)]

13:25-14:00 Plenary 16 Panel discussion: The ultimate ‘seamless’ traveller journey

Discussion will dissect what makes up the user journey from end-to-end and what that the perfect mapping of a journey should look like. Key themes entail the future of digital marketing, loyalty and rewards, personalisation, pre-trip, on-trip and post-trip.

• Alastair Crossley, Head of Global Travel, AXA Partners

• Maggie Bazemore, Knowledge Management Director, Mr and Mrs Smith

• Moderator – Peter Melcher, Sr. Principal, EMEA Public Relations, Sabre

14:00 – 15:00 LUNCH – START-UP of the YEAR ANNOUNCED

15:00-15:40 Plenary 17 MVPs of innovation and the future of technology-enabled tourism, the ones to watch out for…

This session will look at the digitisation journey of a company and what are the key considerations. It will unpack what are the most valuable technologies to invest in, from AI, chatbots and robotics to FinTech, and the outcomes of doing so.

• Carlos Cendra, Partner and CMCO, Mabrian Technologies

• Marina Ferfolja, Head of Research and Analytics, Slovenian Tourism Board

• Rusmir Rieger, Operations Manager, NUMA Germany

• Moderator: Rachel Read, Director of Insight and Business Improvement, ETOA

15:40 – 16:30 Plenary 18 Get the Message Right: Exciting more demanding and discerning consumers

CONCURRENT

In the fiercely competitive global tourism industry, destinations, tour operators, and local product providers strive to distinguish themselves to discerning travelers pursuing self-actualization and genuine connections. Speakers will delve into the critical success factors for crafting unique offerings that resonate with contemporary visitor aspirations, fostering authentic engagement with local cultures, and embracing innovation and authenticity. They will discuss the importance of understanding audience preferences for curating memorable experiences, emphasizing the need for tour operators to prioritize customization over commodification to create immersive adventures that establish enduring connections. Additionally, they will highlight the essential role of leveraging digital platforms for local product providers to authentically showcase their communities, thereby effectively attracting and captivating international visitors.

• Natasha Syed, Travel Lead, JC Decaux UK

• Kris Svajnzger, General Manager, Intrepid DMC Europe, Russia and the Caucuses

• Robert Dee, CEO and Founder, New Deal Europe

• Ivan Petrovic, Chairman (Serbia), Exit Festival

• Moderator: Debbie Flynn, Man. Partner, Global Travel Practice Leader, Finn Partners UK

15:40-16:30 Start-up Pitches Feedback Workshop

CONCURRENT

This session will provide a detailed debrief session with feedback from our expert judges for all start-up entrants, as well as an opportunity to ask the judges questions about pitches to learn and be able to tailor both pitches and business focuses for future success.

16:30-17:15 Plenary 19 Innovation and Transformation: New Age of Travel

To wrap up the day, let’s get lost in the future from robotics to digitalisation.

• Prof. Selma Rizvić, Faculty of Electrical Engineering (Association Digi.ba - https://digi.ba/)

• Ali Hajjaj, CEO, Labiba.ai Jordan

• Moderator: Rajan Datar, Journalist and Host, BBC

17:15 – END OF SUMMIT