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Hon. Derek Andre Hanekom, MP
South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom, has been a Member of Parliament since 1994.
He was first appointed to the tourism portfolio in 2014, and was re-appointed in February 2018. He served as Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs in South Africa’s first democratically-elected government from 1994 to 1999 under President Nelson Mandela. Several reforms were piloted through Parliament to redress the injustices of apartheid under his leadership during this period.
He later served as Deputy Minister and thereafter Minister of Science and Technology from 2004 to 2014.
In 2016 Minister Hanekom was awarded the Order of Merit by the Federal Republic of Germany, the highest award bestowed upon individuals for service to their nation.
He is the Chair of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, which supports the legacy of the anti-apartheid stalwart by deepening non-racialism in South Africa.
Message from Honourable Najib Balala
Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife , Kenya
“ The International Tourism and Investment Conference comes at a time when global tourism leaders are continuously engaged in the development of sustainable tourism and product differentiations; promotion of safe and secure travel and in the advent of technological innovation.
With a view to stimulating new ideas and defining a new vision for tourism through investments, we need to build a global alliance through strategic partnership in order to globalize travel and tourism, invest in infrastructure, product development and destination marketing.
The International Tourism and Investment Conference is the ideal platform to trigger a new thought process for the advancement of world tourism. ”
Message from Honourable Edmund Bartlett
Minister of Tourism Jamaica
“ This theme comes at a very critical time. Issues of sustainability, which have long been on the agenda of island destinations, now need our immediate attention especially as they are issues over which we have little or no control.
With climate change, island destinations must seek to diversify their product offering and reconsider urban and rural planning as sea level rises and beaches disappear. With intensifying weather systems, island destinations must be better prepared to mitigate the disruptive and destructive effects of these natural disasters.
Furthermore, as visitor arrivals continue to grow at phenomenal rates, island destinations must avoid the effects of over-tourism by devising strategies to manage tourism in a way that is economically viable, socially acceptable and environmentally sustainable. ”
Message from Dr. Taleb Rifai
Former Secretary-General , United Nations World Tourism Organization
“ The International Tourism and Investment Conference (ITIC) 2019 takes place amidst rapidly changing geopolitical scenes. It is intended to trigger a new thought process in sustainable tourism development driven by new technological innovations such as blockchain, virtual reality and artificial intelligence.
Join us! ”
Kaushik Srinivasan
Kaushik Srinivasan is the co-founder and Senior Vice President at eMudhra, a leading global digital Identity and Transaction management company with headquarters in India. At eMudhra, he is responsible for corporate strategy and new initiatives such as Digital ID’s, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence where drives development of proprietary innovations used for trade facilitation. Kaushik is also a Domain Coordinator for eGovernment at the United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business where he actively works on standards and processes for projects such as Blockchain, Internet of Things, cross border digital transaction recognition.
Kaushik is a serial entrepreneur having earlier founded an ecommerce venture which focussed on the party supplies industry with a large footprint in India. Prior to this, Kaushik has worked with Hedge Funds and Financial services companies in New York in both risk and technology leadership roles.
Kaushik is a CFA Charterholder and is a member of the Indian Association of Investment professionals. He is also a travel enthusiast having travelled to more than 105 countries.
Capt. David R. Savy
In June this year I had the privilege to address the International Aviation Transport Association at the AGM in Sydney . This is the most important and significant meeting of airline and aviation industry leaders. This was in my capacity as an experienced airline CEO and IATF Council member.
In relation to the International Tourism & Investment Conference what may be of interest is my industry experience as a Board Director of one of the largest hotel groups in the Indian Ocean (Beachcomber Group based in Mauritius for 8 years), Seychelles Tourist Board Member for 20 years and Air Seychelles CEO for 14 years. Till date I am the Chairman of the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority ( since 2011) and advisor to the Government of Seychelles on Air Transport Policy.
I have also worked on a number of national committees pertaining to liberalization of air access, sustainable tourism development and initiatives to attract FDI in bolstering Seychelles tourism carrying capacity. Tourism earnings is by far the largest economic driver and GDP contributor to the economy. Seychelles takes top spot in tourism earnings per capita globally. Destination branding and destination positioning is something Seychelles has excelled in and an exercise I have been closely associated with.
I am a strong advocate of liberalising air access as it is a proven recipe in growing tourism receipts, yield and investment, ultimately creating more wealth for the country and its citizens.
Mauritius, Maldives and the Seychelles (SIDS) are examples when it comes to tourism investment, image and positioning. There is a common thread we can share to the world.
Saleh Said
Saleh Said was born in Zanzibar, and spent his childhood in New Delhi, India, as the son of a diplomat. His entrepreneurial spirit started early in life when he opened his first company at the age of 17 and he has continued to venture into a wide range of businesses ever since, not least of which was creating a successful joint venture with MMI Dubai, part of the prestigious Emirates Group .
Saleh founded Zanzibar Developers & Hotels Ltd in 2011, with the purpose of acquiring a key part of the island’s premier coastline, which was later successfully sold to Pennyroyal Limited and formed the foundation for the Blue Amber (resort). Saleh was appointed as Managing Director of Pennyroyal Ltd. in 2012 and has played a major role in developing the $1.6 billion golf , hotel and residential resort ever since. Saleh’s vision is at the core of what is set to be East Africa’s most luxurious destination, homing East Africa’s first championship Ernie Els golf course and Ritz Carlton, alongside plans for a further 3 hotels, private and branded residences as well as accompanying amenities. Working closely with the government Saleh’s passion and commitment to the upliftment and growth of the local economy sees social engagement at the core of the Pennyroyal business endeavours and is already driving innovative programmes in healthcare, education and training on the island. Saleh’s vision to see “Zanzibar poverty free” is as impressive as it is brave, and he is committed to making this a reality.
Saleh has been interviewed by CNBC Africa where he discussed the tourism market in Zanzibar as well as the socio economic impact of Blue Amber on the surrounding communities and the island at large. Additionally he hosted the Tanzanian roundtable discussion at the Gulf and India Ocean Hotel Investors Summit Abu Dhabi in January 2018. Saleh joined the Tanzania Chapter of Young President’s Organization (YPO) in 2013 and is an active participant in its Real Estate forum.
Dr. Ramakrishna Sithanen
Rama Sithanen’s professional career of almost 40 years is split among public sector, private sector and international consultancy and advisory work. He has held senior positions in the private sector as an economist, a partner in a consulting firm and a group strategist in a large conglomerate in Mauritius.
He was Minister of Finance between 1991 and 1995 and was instrumental in shaping policies to diversify the economy and laid the foundation for the emergence of Mauritius as an international financial centre.
He has acted as an international consultant and an adviser, working in Africa and the Indian Ocean, advising Governments and public sector bodies on public policies.
He was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance between 2005 and 2010. He introduced bold institutional, policy and fiscal reforms that turned around the economy and moved Mauritius from dependence on trade preferences to global competitiveness.
He worked as Director of Strategy at the African Development Bank in Tunis, Tunisia in 2011.
Since 2011, he is Chairman and Director of International Financial Services, one of the largest management companies in Mauritius, engaged in providing fund administration services for capital market and private equity/venture capital funds to global corporates and institutions.
He was Chairman of the Rwanda Development Board between 2013 and 2017.
He was adviser to the Government of Rwanda and tax, competitiveness and financial services issues between 2013 and 2015.
He is Chairperson of 4 Sights, a fourth industrial revolution technology company that is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and operates in many countries.
He also chairs Thomas Cook (Mauritius), a company engaged in foreign exchange transactions and tourism –related activities.
He also sits on other corporate boards.
He was chosen by the Switzerland-based World Economic Forum in 1994, as one of the 100 Global Leaders for Tomorrow for contribution in both the public and the private sectors at the age of 40.
He was bestowed with the highest mark of distinction of Grand Commander of the Star and Key (GCSK) in 2009 for contribution in the economic and political fields.
He speaks, reads, writes and understands English and French.
Dr Sithanen holds a BSc Economics (with First Class Honours), an MSc Economics (with a Mark of Distinction) from the London School of Economics and Political Science and a PhD in Political Science from Brunel University, UK.