Travel Tech Stage Sustainability Hub

11:30 - 12:00

RURAL TOURISM: TAKING TOURISTS OFF-THE-BEATEN TRACK

Rural tourism encourages the spread of tourists, reliance on public transport and is another opportunity to support heritage and culture locally. It is also a vital part of sustainable tourism. Learn the benefits of rural tourism and how you can tap into this growing market.

Moderator: Rashi Sen, Editor, TTN

Speakers: Matthias Albrecht, Director GCC, Switzerland Tourism; Yamina Sofo, Director of Sales & Marketing of German National Tourist Office for Gulf Countries; Ansar Babu, Director of Global Distribution & International Operations, Royal Commission of AlUla; Emily Jenkins Head of Product Development DW Travel

12:15 - 13:00

TACTICALLY SUPPORTING SUSTAINABILITY challenges. Gain practical insights and applications from TPConnects, to help you navigate the dynamic world of modern airline retailing.

Speakers: Rakshit Desai, Chief Executive Officer, TPConnects; George Rajan, Vice President – Sales, TP Connects

12:40 - 13:30

CHATGPT: IS IT THE FUTURE OF CONTENT?

ChatGPT is one of the hottest words across all industries at the moment, but what really is it?

Speaker: Matt Gibson, CEO, Upthink

14:30 - 15:15

DIGITAL INTERACTIONS AND DATADRIVEN DECISION MAKING

Collaborative working is a key point to any company’s success. Data is a vital part of any strategy, having the potential to use this effectively and sharing it with other networks can work to your benefit.

Moderator: Becky Syder, Commercial Director, Oxford Economics

Speakers: David Goodger, Managing Director - EMEA, Oxford Economics; Gabriel Seder, Vice President, Global Development, Destinations International; Ghadi Achkar, Market Manager, AirBnB

THURSDAY 4TH MAY

Education about sustainability also must include addressing the most difficult of all in this effort to save our planet –shifting the mindset of travellers and suppliers. Here are two companies using their platforms to change behaviours through commercial activities.

Moderator: Ben McCabe, Founder, McCabe & Associates

Speakers: Hon. Vensensius Jemadu, Deputy Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Indonesia; David Bishop, Government Affairs, CONSULUM; Rhea Saran, Global Head of Brand and Content, Travelzoo

13:10 - 13:45

PLANTING THE SUSTAINABILITY SEED: CHANGING CULTURE WITH EDUCATION

How can you embed the sustainability mindset into the culture of your business? This session will demonstrate how to successfully manage, change and encourage sustainable mindsets in your staff to ensure that all practices from start to end are sustainable, rather than seeing sustainable policies as a check box exercise.

Moderator: Jane Witherspoon, Journalist, Euronews

Speakers: Hind El Aoufi, Digital LeaderMiddle East, Practice Director Digital Lab, EMEA; Basmah Al Mayman, Regional Director for the Middle East, UNWTO

14:00 - 14:45

WORKSHOP - DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABLE TOURISM ACTION PLAN

Showcasing those who are successfully taking a sustainable approach, from destinations to tour operators, hotels to aviation. Learn about the struggles they have faced and how to avoid them moving forwards.

Moderator: Tarek Shawki, Managing Partner, Katalysts & Co

Speakers: Jared Harckham, Head of Aviation, ICF; Ripin Kalra, Sustainable Destination Development, Urban Resilience - Project BASED