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Investment Summit Exhibit

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The Future of Travel & Tourism. Financial strategies for recovery June 10, 2020

Book a Virtual Booth at the ITIC Expo Area

Hurry up, the number of stands is limited! Get the opportunity to join them and to gain more visibility by:

1. Showcasing and presenting your business
2. Accelerating your business strategy
3. Networking with the attendees
4. Build awareness and visibility of your brand and company
5. One-to-one meeting or group presentation

For more information to discover the exhibition offers and book for your virtual book please contact Paul Hoskins at [email protected] or Ibrahim Ayoub at [email protected]

Dr Taleb Rifai, former UN WTO secretary calls for ‘safe’ tourist areas to be created

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Tourist destinations will have to consider offering Corona-free hotels, beaches and areas to ensure that visitors feel safe ‘from the minute they leave home until they return”.

The initiative was voiced by  Dr Taleb Rifai, the Former Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and chairman of the ITIC advisory board.

He was speaking at a new grassroots initiative with leaders from the travel and tourism industry joining from 76 countries the #rebuildingtravel globally: High Level Taskforce Meeting.

At the meeting, hosted by ETurboNews, Dr Rafai revealed his four pillars for the recovery of the travel & tourism sector.

Rebuilding.travel started two weeks ago and already many of the who’s who in the global travel and tourism industry as part of the group. Today membership has increased to 102 countries.

In a follow up to initial plan, Dr Rifai was clear that as the world moves from the containment to the recovery phase, the whole economy was more important than our specific industry.

But travel & tourism are essential for employment and the economies of many countries worldwide said Dr Rifai, speaking from Amman, Jordan, to a virtual gathering of industry and government leaders from around the world.

Speaking second to the Taskforce, he offered his own four point roadmap for recovery.

First he said is making domestic tourism a priority. “It does not contribute to balance of trade or bring in foreign currency but it it keeps facilities open and maintains employment,” he said. It reflects his own philosophy that “we should encourage people to enjoy their country,” something he admitted had not always been the case and had sometimes caused conflict between visitors and local people.

Second he said was the need to concentrate on the digital sector. “The future of tourism is centred around technology,” said Dr Rafai. “This is a main pillar of the post-corona era.

“Everything is going to be from home and we must start thinking outside the box. I have attended weddings where the priest is on one line marrying people elsewhere.” 

Number three, he said, is training: “Our new post-corona era will be completely different. How we qualify our waiters – they will need trained to do packing for home delivery.” He said hotels will need to be more clean, training of staff to ensure the very best sanitisation will become a priority as destinations “compete with each other”.

Fourth, he said, every country must put money in the hands of people to encourage spending. “Spending is very, very important,” he said.

He urged destinations to prepare now for setting side certain areas that are corona free. “Destinations must start thinking about this: certain areas, certain hotels, certain beaches… that mean people are safe from minute the arrive until they return to their homes.”

And these protocols will need certification, he said. “You cant have any protocol if you don’t have certification. This is something you will need to see in the future.”

MORE NEWS HERE THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL & TOURISM VIRTUAL CONFERENCE June 10, 2020 DETAILS & REGISTRATION

QATAR AIRWAYS REVEALS ‘SUBSTANTIAL’ STAFF CUTS

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Qatar Airways has warned today (May 6) of “substantial” redundancies as it struggles with a collapse in demand.

Its chief executive Akbar Al Baker wrote to staff warning of the job losses, although the airline has not revealed the numbers.

Qatar Airways said it needed to “act decisively to protect the future of the business”.

Worldwide it employs 45,000 people and runs a fleet of 240 aircraft – described as one of ‘the world’s youngest airline fleets’.

“The truth is, we simply cannot sustain the current staff numbers and will need to make a substantial number of jobs redundant – inclusive of cabin crew,” Mr Al Baker wrote in an internal memo.

The state airline of the wealthy, gas-rich Gulf country was considered less vulnerable than many Europen and US airlines but today’s news indicates the depth of damage Covid 19 is causing to the sector.

Qatar Airways increased its stake in British Airways owner IAG to 25% as part of its strategy to invest in other carriers.

BA revealed this week it would cut 12,000 jobs from its 42,000 employees. See our story HERE

“The unparalleled impact on our industry has caused significant challenges for all airlines and we must act decisively to protect the future of our business,” a Qatar Airways spokesman said.

“As a result, Qatar Airways can confirm that the airline will make a number of roles redundant due to the impact of Covid-19.”

The International Air Transport Association (IATA), warned last month that air traffic in the Middle East and North Africa was forecast to fall by more than half.

IATA also warned that most airlines would struggle to make a profit if social distancing measures were introduced, such as keeping middle seats empty.

On Tuesday, Virgin Atlantic said it would be cutting 3,000 jobs and quitting its operations at Gatwick airport.

MORE NEWS HERE

THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL & TOURISM VIRTUAL CONFERENCE June 10, 2020 DETAILS & REGISTRATION

June investment summit speakers

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Speakers

ITIC Speaker
Dr. Taleb Rifai Former Secretary General United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) more…
ITIC Speaker
Issam AbdulRahim Kazim¬ Chief Executive Officer Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing more…
ITIC Speaker
Prof. Dimitrios Buhalis Director of the eTourism Lab Deputy Director of the International Centre for Tourism And Hospitality Research more…
ITIC Speaker
HE Marwan Jassim Al Sarkal Executive Chairman Sharjah Investment and Development Authority more…
ITIC Speaker
HE Saleh Mohamed La Geziry¬ Chairman Ajman Tourism Development Department more…
ITIC Speaker
HE Khalid Jasim Al Midfa Chairman Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority more…
ITIC Speaker
Gerald Lawless WTTC Ambassador, Former Chairman of WTTC, Former President & Group CEO of Jumeirah Group more…
ITIC Speaker
Dr. Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat Managing Director Jordan Tourism Board more…
ITIC Speaker
Haitham Mattar Middle East Tourism Expert CEO Beyond Tourism more…
ITIC Speaker
Dr. Marcus Lee Chairman of Association of SME Business owners in China more…
ITIC Speaker
Ben Lock Senior Director Head of International Affairs more…
ITIC Speaker
Rajan Datar Broadcaster and Journalist BBC more…

June 3 Investment Summit Programme

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Programme

 

ITIC Investment Summit June

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This virtual conference will discuss sustainable investment measures for the Middle East travel & tourism sector and consider strategies to restore travelers’ confidence and move forward post-pandemic.

Dr Taleb Rifai is Former Secretary General to the United Nations World Tourism Organization and is also chairman of ITIC, this conference organiser. In his message to panelists, attendees, participants and investors, he said: “We are living in unprecedented times for the industry, facing its toughest challenge ever – stay home means no travel and, no travel, means no tourism.

“Restructuring to Attract Sustainable Development and Customers in the New World Order, on June 3, 2020. It is part of three days of virtual discussion at Arabian Travel Market, the Middle East’s largest gathering of tourism professionals, that has gone virtual for 2020.

“This ITIC conference is vital at this critical time and I am pleased that it is part of ATM, which I commend for facing the challenge and ensuring they keep us all in contact with each other. ITIC is the leading travel and tourism investment conference organiser and with ATM, this event offers time to reflect on the financial environment in this badly hit sector.

“We must all think together, out of the box, imaginatively, this is our real historic test. But I know that the Middle East has proven in the past that it is robust and has the capability to bounce back. I am saddened by what we are living through but optimistic that the recovery will be positive.”

Moderated by BBC Presenter and broadcaster Rajan Datar, it will also examine repositioning your business, how to attract investment and the part governments must play in helping the sector recover.

The Middle East region that had a clear vision for the future has been hit hard by the pandemic but the ITIC – ATM conference offers the opportunity to plan for the future.

Governments are recognising that rebuilding a travel and tourism sector is essential and across the Middle East there’s a new focus on health, safety and cleanliness as part of the vision to relaunch travel and tourism.

Finance will be vital and while some businesses will fall by the wayside, some airlines will not survive and some hotel chains will be unable to adapt, many others will and new players are set to emerge offering travel solutions in this new normal.

Registration is free and we hope to welcome you there.

Programme

 

Dubai Expo 2020 delayed for 12 months amid cronavirus fears

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Dubai Expo 2020 becomes Expo 2021 today after it was officially postponed for a year

World Expo 2020 in Dubai will be delayed by a year it was confirmed today (May 4), after weeks of speculation.The United Arab Emirates’ city has invested millions of dollars preparing for Expo 2020 with more than 100 hotels under construction.

Dubai was forecasting 25 million visits over the six months – 145,000 visits for every one of the 173 days the site is open. They expected 11 million visits by people living in the UAE and 14 million from overseas visitors.

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The delay confirmation came today after a two-thirds majority of Bureau International des Expositions, BIE, Member States has already voted in favour of postponing until 2021.

The event will now run from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, a delay that “allows all participants to safely navigate the impact of COVID-19”. It also allows the World Expo to focus on a collective desire for new thinking to identify solutions to some of the greatest challenges of our time, said a report from the UAE state news agency WAM this morning.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman and CEO of Emirates Group, and Chairman of the Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee, said: “We welcome the decision of BIE Member States to support the delay of Expo 2020 Dubai by one year. We are thankful to Member States for their continued commitment to contributing to a World Expo in Dubai that will play a pivotal role in shaping our post-pandemic world at a time when it will be most needed.

“We have sought to build over the last 50 years bridges, connections, and partnerships around the world because we believe in genuine collaboration to safeguard the future of all. This swift and overwhelming vote reflects the strength of our international partnerships and truly reflects the positive role the UAE and Dubai play with all countries around the world.

“This affirmation by the international community of Dubai’s offering and its ability to deliver, further strengthens our commitment to matching ambition with achievement to hosting an event that will capture the world’s imagination, when the time is right.”

With a BIE General Assembly impossible to stage due to COVID-19 restrictions, Member States voted remotely on the BIE Executive Committee’s recommendation for a delay as proposed by the UAE Government at the beginning of April and recommended by the BIE Executive Committee on 21 April. While the vote remains open until 29 May, the two-thirds threshold was surpassed within a week of voting opening on 24 April.

Dimitri S. Kerkentzes, Secretary General of the BIE, said: “I applaud the swift response by BIE Member States. Their support for the postponement of Expo 2020 Dubai – which will be formally approved on 29 May – is a renewed sign of solidarity and demonstrates the shared will to work together in ‘creating the future’.”

“In their support for the one-year postponement of Expo 2020 Dubai, Member States of the BIE are giving the world the opportunity to reconvene in 2021, when together, we can address the challenges facing humanity and celebrate the unity and solidarity that strengthen us. With its theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, Expo 2020 Dubai will offer the world a unique platform to share the lessons, solutions and ideas for a better tomorrow.”

Expo 2020 Dubai retains its name and remains committed to hosting an exceptional event that will celebrate humanity’s resilience, creativity, culture and innovation – including major technological advances in the fields of medicine and science.

The first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region, and largest ever event to take place in the Arab world, Expo 2020 will welcome 192 countries, plus businesses, multilateral organisations and educational establishments.

MORE NEWS HERE

THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL & TOURISM VIRTUAL CONFERENCE June 10, 2020 DETAILS & REGISTRATION

BA reveals plan to cut 12,000 jobs

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One of the world’s biggest airlines BA revealed plans to axe up to 12,000 of its staff because of the global collapse in air travel in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

The privately owned UK operator’s plan is understood to include a quarter of its pilots as the company reacts to the severe downturn in flights.

The airline’s chief executive, Alex Cruz, told BA’s 42,000 staff on Tuesday night that the company “must act decisively now to ensure that British Airways has a strong future” and that means more than one in four jobs must be cut.

Cruz said the UK’s flag carrier airline, which has placed 22,600 people on the government’s furlough scheme, “cannot expect the taxpayer to offset salaries indefinitely”.

“Yesterday, British Airways flew just a handful of aircraft out of Heathrow. On a normal day we would fly more than 300. What we are facing as an airline, like so many other businesses up and down the country, is that there is no ‘normal’ any longer,” Cruz told staff in a letter

“We are a strong, well-managed business that has faced into, and overcome, many crises in our hundred-year history. We must overcome this crisis ourselves, too.”

MORE NEWS HERE

THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL & TOURISM VIRTUAL CONFERENCE June 10, 2020 DETAILS & REGISTRATION