Ben Lock

Posted on May 30, 2020May 30, 2020 by admin

ITSC 2019 Speaker — Ben Lock
SENIOR DIRECTOR
HEAD OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Ben has over 20 years experience in communications at world leading agencies with a particular focus on building and managing international corporate reputations.

Ben leads Edelman UK’s International Affairs practice which provides strategic communications consultancy to clients looking to build, enhance or protect reputations across multiple markets. These clients encompass a mix of NGOs, government agencies, foundations, philanthropists and sovereign state-owned bodies.

Ben has a particular focus on developing compelling narratives and strategic campaigns to support international governments enhance their economic development ambitions across multiple markets.

Ben has run major international communications campaigns for destinations including Chile, Canada, Tunisia, Morocco, Armenia and Dubai.

Prior to joining Edelman, Ben was Head of Issues and Crisis for Ogilvy PR London.

Haitham Mattar

Posted on May 28, 2020May 4, 2022 by admin

Multi global awards winner in the Tourism & Hospitality fields, Haitham Mattar is currently Senior Advisor to the Saudi Ministry of Tourism Advising on structuring the Saudi Tourism Authority and delivering on the Saudi tourism promotion strategy.

This includes building capacity, market research and studies, delivering product development plans, tourism infrastructure plans, trade engagement and promotion plans, source market development and airlift.

As former CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority from 2015 – 2019, where he successfully repositioned Ras Al Khaimah to become one of the fastest growing destinations in the world, exceeding the target of one million visitors in the first three years, droving economic growth and winning a number of global travel awards and personal accolades.

With more than 25 years of experience in global destination and hospitality management and marketing, Mattar has also held senior roles with leading global brands including Marriott, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), and Hilton Worldwide.

Mattar’s cross-continent experience and valuable global insights allowed him to effectively lead Ras Al Khaimah’s destination growth strategy, through capturing existing and emerging source market movements and international tourism trends. He was also instrumental in the concept and delivery of globally recognized tourism demand generators in the emirate including Jebel Jais Flight: the world’s longest zipline and the region’s first Via Ferrata.

In 2017, Mattar was elected as Vice Chair of the UNWTO Board of Affiliate Members as well as being appointed as a member of the steering committee for the UNWTO 2017 International Year for Sustainable Development in Tourism.

Mattar was also named a full-time advisory board member of the Global Thinkers Forum (GTF) in 2018, and an Advisory Board Member of Al Marjan Development. Mattar is also a member of the Steering Committee of the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Economy and was appointed in 2018 as a member of the Arabian Travel Market Advisory Board by Reed Travel Exhibitions. In August 2018 Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority joined WTTC as a member, being represented by Mattar

Named ‘Tourism Promotion CEO of the Year’ at the Global CEO Excellence Awards, Mattar was featured in the Arabian Business ‘most powerful Arabs’ list, in addition to being named ‘Leisure and Tourism CEO of the Year’ at the prestigious CEO Middle East Awards and ‘Business Leader of the Year’ at the Hospitality Excellence Awards in 2018.

A Lebanese-born American citizen and Arabic speaker, Mattar holds a Batchelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Central Florida, USA, and a MBA in Marketing from the University of Liverpool, UK.

Peter Greenberg

Posted on May 23, 2020October 13, 2024 by admin

ITIC — Peter Greenberg
Travel Editor CBS News

A multiple Emmy-winning investigative reporter and producer, Peter Greenberg is America’s most recognized, honored and respected front-line travel news journalist. Known in the travel industry as “The Travel Detective,” he is the Travel Editor for CBS News, appearing on CBS This Morning, CBS Evening News and CBS Sunday Morning. And his national CBS EYE ON TRAVEL radio show is broadcast from a different location around the world each week.

The consummate insider on reporting the travel business as news, Peter Greenberg hosts the public television show The Travel Detective with Peter Greenberg. The series offers 40+ half-hour episodes that seek to empower audiences with travel news, must-have information, insider tips known only to a select few, and hidden gem destinations not found in traditional guidebooks or brochures.

Travel Weekly named Peter Greenberg one of the most influential people in travel, along with Bill Marriott and Sir Richard Branson. He was inducted into the U.S. Travel Association’s Hall of Leaders for his contributions to the travel industry. Among his other honors, Peter Greenberg received a News & Documentary Emmy Award as part of the NBC News Dateline team for outstanding coverage of a breaking news story, “Miracle on the Hudson.”

Peter Greenberg began his career in journalism as West Coast correspondent for Newsweek in Los Angeles and San Francisco. He won a national Emmy Award for Best Investigative Reporting for the ABC 20/20 special on the final orphan flight out of Vietnam, “What Happened to the Children?” He also is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin, and an Excellence in Broadcasting Award from the Aviation Space Writers Association of America.

And when he is not reporting all over the world, Greenberg is an active volunteer fireman in New York.

3 DAY CONFERENCE & INVESTMENT PLATFORM by ITIC – TOURISM INVESTMENT SUMMIT

Posted on May 23, 2020September 21, 2020 by admin

June 10 Investment Summit Programme

Posted on May 22, 2020June 24, 2020 by admin

WednesdayJune 10, 20209:15 – 14:15 (British Summer Time)

The Future of Travel & Tourism
Financial strategies for recovery

09:15 Connecting Time

09:30 Welcome

• Rajan Datar, BBC

• Dr. Taleb Rifai, Chairman ITIC and former Secretary-General UNWTO

• Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director, WTM London

• Ibrahim Ayoub Group CEO & MD, ITIC LTD

09:40 – 10:00: Covid-19 has transformed our future. Where the travel and tourism sector stands now?

Introductory conversation hosted by Rajan Datar, Presenter and Broadcaster, BBC

• Gloria Guevara, President and CEO WTTC

10:00 – 10:15: The current Global Economic Outlook and future investment perspectives.

• Nicolas Mayer, PWC Industry Leader Hospitality and Tourism EMEA & Managing Partner Global Center of Excellence Tourism & Hospitality

10:15 – 11:00: Why health protection is the key to recovery of the Travel & Tourism sector?

Countries are introducing new safety standards in a bid to restore travellers’ confidence. It’s a big task: hygiene training & certification affects everyone in the chain: from the taxi driver serving the airport through to the tour guides & waiters at the other end of your journey. Our panel will assess what’s been achieved and what needs to be done.

Moderator:

• Rajan Datar, Presenter and Broadcaster, BBC

Speakers:

• Hon. Majd Mohammad Shweikeh, Minister Tourism and Antiquities, Jordan

• Tom Jones, Senior Partner, Healthcare, Finn Partners

• Rob Broere, VP-Industry Change, Emirates Airline & Chairman, IATA – Travel Standards Board

• Prof. Dimitrios Buhalis, Bournemouth University

• Ashwin Seetaram, Director of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism, Mauritius

11:00 – 11:45: Planning for the future: Understanding globalisation in the post Covid-19 world and the investment measures needed to boost recovery of the global travel and tourism industry

Panellists are drawn from tourism leaders, international investment banks and private equity firms. The travel business has changed, the global economy has changed and investment and banking options are changing too. This session will examine the range of financial mechanisms to support the travel & tourism sector in its recovery.

Moderator:

• Prof Ian Goldin, Professor of Globalisation and Development at the University of Oxford and the Director of the Oxford Martin Programme on Technological and Economic

Speakers:

• Hon. Najib Balala, Minister of Tourism, Kenya

• Keith Barr, CEO IHG

• Raki Phillips CEO Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority

• Dinky Puri, CEO Eagle Wing Group

11:45 – 12:00: Investment prospects in travel and tourism sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Speakers:

• His Royal Highness Prince Dr. Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Chairman of Baseera Group and Mr. Raed Habiss, Vice Chairman of Baseera group, CEO of RHH Consultancy and former Director of Tourism Investment of OIC in conversation with Dr. Taleb Rifai Chairman of ITIC and former Secretary- General of UNWTO.

12:00 – 12:45: Rethinking investments for better preparedness against potential future catastrophes

This session will discuss investment and protection for the future. Panellists operate at government level, tourism leaders, investors and epidemiologist. They will discuss options for building resilience and sustainability through new financing mechanisms and examine the support offered by different governments in the wake of Covid-19. What are the options for partnerships with the IMF / IFC / Government and the private sector?

Moderator:

• Peter Greenberg (CBS News)

Speakers:

• Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism Jamaica

• Hon. Elena Kountoura, Member of the European Parliament

• Nicolas Mayer, PWC Industry Leader Hospitality and Tourism EMEA & Managing Partner Global Center of Excellence Tourism & Hospitality

• Dr. Peter Tarlow, President, Safer Tourism

• Alain Saint Ange, President, Africa Tourism Board

12:45 – 13:15: Video Presentation

13:15 – 14:15: Concluding remarks
The way forward: Foresights, initiatives and changing paradigms.

The world has changed. Economies have changed. What we took for granted in 2019, no longer applies. As the world establishes a new economic order, how will the travel & tourism sector integrate? Panellists from across the tourism, hospitality and travel sector will reflect on where we are now, where they expect the sector to grow and offer their own forecasts.

Moderators:

• Rajan Datar, BBC and Gerald Lawless, WTTC Ambassador, Director ITIC & Advisory Board member Dubai Expo 2020

Presentations:

• Margaux Constantin, Partner, McKinsey Company

• Ben Lock, Senior Director, Edelman

Speakers:

• Dr. Taleb Rifai, Chairman ITIC and former Secretary-General UNWTO

• Christopher Rodrigues, WTTC Ambassador

• Ambassador Dho Young-Shim, South Korea

• Mr. Haitham Mattar, Middle East Tourism Expert and CEO Beyond Tourism

• Todor Le, Marketing Adviser, Ministry of Tourism, Bulgaria

14:15: -Closing-

Dr. Taleb Rifai, Chairman ITIC and former Secretary-General UNWTO Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director, WTM London & Ibrahim Ayoub Group CEO & MD, ITIC LTD

ITIC Investment Summit June 10 Registration

Posted on May 21, 2020May 21, 2020 by admin

Click Here To Register

ITIC Investment Summit June Registration

Posted on May 21, 2020May 21, 2020 by admin

ITIC 2019 Video Gal

Posted on May 20, 2020 by admin

SPEECHES

H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca Former President of Malta

Hon. Nikolina Angelkova Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria

Closing Speech Hon. Edmund Bartlett CD, MP Minister of Tourism of Jamaica

Closing Speech Hon. Memunatu B. Pratt, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs of Sierra Leone

ITIC 2019 conference Sessions

Part I

Part II

PART III

PART IV

PART V

PART VI

PART VII

PART VIII

Past Event Nov. 2019

Posted on May 19, 2020May 20, 2020 by admin

Theme: Global Investment Opportunities in Sustainable Tourism focusing on Africa, Island nations and emerging destinations

Day 101 November 2019, Friday
Day 202 November 2019, Saturday

Day 1 – 01 November 2019, Friday

08:15 – 08:50: Conference Registration

08:50 – 09:00: ITIC Conference Introduction

MC – Ms Daniela Wagner, Group Business Development Director, Travel Weekly and Jacobs Media Group

09:00 – 09:10: Welcome Speech

HE Dr. Taleb Rifai Chairman ITIC and former Secretary-General, UNWTO

09:10 – 09:20: The Global Financial Landscape – Investment Opportunities and Challenges

Prof. Dimitrios Buhalis, Director, eTourism Research Lab and Management and Marketing Expert, Bournemouth University

09:20 – 09:40: Tourism a Key Economic Driver – Investing in the future – lessons from the past

Mr. Christopher Rodrigues, CBE, Chairman Port of London Authority

09:40 – 09:50: Global Tourism Trends and Africa – Island Nations Positioning
How Africa and Island Nations can position themselves to surf on global tourism trends?

Ms. Tiffany Misrahi, Vice-President of Policy, World Travel & Tourism Council

09:50 – 10:30: Investors’ Expectations for an Attractive Return on investment in the Travel and Tourism Sector

A conversation with Rajan Datar, Presenter and Broadcaster, BBC

Panellists:

Hon. Najib Balala EGH – Cabinet Secretary of Tourism and Wildlife, Kenya

Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica

Mr. James Knoll, Managing Director TowerBrook

Ms. Angela Chen, Vice-President, Dossen Group

Mr. Lachezar Todorov, CEO Terra Tour Service

Mr. Marcus Lee, Chairman of China SME Business Owners Association

Investment highlights by Zoobox

10:30 – 10:45: Morning Refreshment and Networking Break

10:45 – 11:15: Panel Discussion Empowering Women through opportunities in the Travel and Tourism Industry

Moderator: Dr. Catheryn Khoo-Lattimore – Senior Researcher & Lecturer Griffith Institute for Tourism, Brisbane, Australia

Video Presentations

Hon. Nikolina Angelkova, Minister of Tourism, Bulgaria

Panellists:

Hon. Mrs. Memunatu Pratt Minister of Tourism and Culture, Sierra Leone

Ms. Lyn Hughes Co-founder and editor-in-chief, Wanderlust magazine

Ms Muna Haddad, CEO, BARAKA

Ms Ufi Ibrahim, Chairman, Hotels Energy & Environment Alliance, Chairman, Tourism International Trade & Development, UK All Party Parliamentary Group Commissioner, Food Farming and Countryside Commission, Royal Society of Arts

11:15 – 11:30: Tourism Investment Opportunities in Kenya – One-to-One Interview with Hon. Najib Balala EGH – Cabinet Secretary of Tourism and Wildlife, Kenya

Interview by Mr. Ian Taylor, Executive-Editor, Travel Weekly, Jacobs Media Group, UK

11:30 – 12:00: Panel Discussion: The impact of Air Connectivity and Transport Infrastructure on Growth in Travel and Tourism

Moderator: Mr. Phillip Cash, Aviation and Tourism Consultant

Participants:

Mr. Christopher Rodrigues CBE, Chairman London Port Authority

Mr. Romesh Bhoyroo, Director Strategy and Business Development, Airport Council International – Africa

Mr. Derek Moore, Chairman AITO UK

Mr. Yared Bizuneh, Founder & Managing Director Six Degrees Representation

12:00 – 12:15: Developing a New Tourism Destination – One-to-One Interview with Sultan Mufti, deputy governor of investment attraction and development at the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority

Interview by Mr. Rajan Datar, Presenter and Broadcaster, BBC

12:15 – 13:00: Essential Business Case on Tourism Embracing UN Sustainable Development Goals

Moderator: Ms. Susanna Saari, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Engineering and Business, Turku University of Applied Sciences (TUAS) – Finland

Panellists:

Mr Martin George, Director of Investment, Enterprise St Helena

Mrs Fiona Jeffery OBE, Chairman Africa Travel and Tourism Association

Ms. Manal Kelig, ATTA Executive Director, Middle East and North Africa

Mr. Cuthbert Ncube, Chief Executive Director Kwela Fleet Management and Chairman – Africa Tourism Board

Ms. Daniela Otero, CEO, Skal International

13:00 – 14:00: Lunch and Networking Break

14:00 – 14:45: Ministerial Panel: African and Island Nations – Opportunities for Investment in Travel and Tourism Development Projects, Infrastructure and Services

Moderator: Mr. Rajan Datar, Presenter and Broadcaster, BBC

Participants:

Hon. Najib Balala EGH – Cabinet Secretary of Tourism and Wildlife, Kenya

Hon. Konrad Mizzi, Minister of Tourism, Malta

Hon. Mrs. Memunatu Pratt Minister of Tourism and Culture, Sierra Leone

Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister Tourism, Jamaica

Mr. Ellison Tommy Thompson, Deputy-Director General, Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, Bahamas

14:45 – 15:30: Reimagining hotels of the future – exceeding Patrons’ Expectations

A conversation with Mr. Gerald Lawless, WTTC Ambassador, former President & CEO Jumeirah Group Dubai

Participants:

Ms. Angela Chen, Vice-President, Dossen Group

Mr. Guillaume Pellerin CEO, Zoobox, Ireland

Mr. Saleh Said CEO – Blue Amber Ritz Carlton project Zanzibar

Mr. Georg Tsvetanski CEO (Thracian Cliffs – Marriott project), Bulgaria</p

15:30 – 15:45: Afternoon Refreshment and Networking Break

15:45 – 16:00: The Power of Social Media – Tourism Strategy and Creative Services

A presentation by Mr. Jeremy Jauncey – CEO Beautiful Destinations

16:00 – 16:45: Panel Discussion: Climate Change and Tourism Resilience Management

Moderator: Mr. Ian Taylor, Executive-Editor, Travel Weekly, Jacobs Media Group UK

Participants:

Hon Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism of Jamaica

Hon. Elena Kountoura, Member of the European Parliament

Dr. Taleb Rifai, Chairman of ITIC and former Secretary-General, UNWTO

Prof. Lee Miles, Professor of Crisis & Disaster Management, Bournemouth University

Mr. Alain Chagnon, President, Zoobox

16:45 – 17:00: Importance of Effective Branding to add value to the National Tourism Product

Plenary session led by Mr. Ben Lock Senior Director, Edelman

17:00 – 17:30: Panel Discussion: How education and Talent Development are Crucial to the Travel and Tourism Industry?

Moderator: Prof. Dimitrios Buhalis, Director, eTourism Research Lab and Management and Marketing Expert, Bournemouth University

Panellists:

Ms. Susanna Saari, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Engineering and Business, Turku University of Applied Sciences (TUAS) – Finland

Dr. Catheryn Khoo-Lattimore – University of Griffiths Australia

Mr. Nigel Fell, Consultant and Trusted Advisor in the Tourism Sector

Mr. Andrew Muscat, Secretary-General, Mediterranean Tourism Foundation

17:30 – 17:35: Day One – Closing

Mr. Rajan Datar, Presenter and Broadcaster, BBC

19:30 – 20:00: Cocktail

20:00 – 22:30: Dinner & Cultural Show

Greetings:

Her Royal Highness Princess Dana Firas of Jordan and President of Petra National Trust

Hon. Najib Balala EGH – Cabinet Secretary of Tourism and Wildlife, Kenya

Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica

Mr. Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director, World Travel Market, Reed Exhibition

Dr. Taleb Rifai, Chairman ITIC and former Secretary-General UNWTO

Gastronomy: Discover a fusion cuisine with a mix of tradition and modern twist, embellished with the best typical wines and drinks.

Cultural Show: An immersive experience of African songs and dances performed by the world-renowned London Masai Cultural Arts

Day 2 – 02 November 2019, Saturday

09:00 – 10:00: Welcoming – Morning Coffee

(The Rugby World cup final – Kindly note that on Saturday, so as not to deprive rugby fans of the World Cup final between England and South Africa, the match will be broadcasted live during the welcoming coffee in the morning)

10:00 – 17:00: Moderators: Mr. Phillip Cash & Mr. Paul Hoskins (ITIC Team)

10:00 – 10:15: Travel and Tourism Development Projects that will attract Investors and Tourists

Mr. Gerald Lawless – ITIC Advisory Board & Dr. Adam Wu China Overseas Invest

10:15 – 11:15: Financing Tourism and Travel Development Projects –

Panel & Presentation led by Mr. Rajan Datar, Presenter and Broadcaster, BBC

Participants:

1. Presentation of Investment Destinations:

• Saint Helena

• Bahamas

• Jamaica

2. Understanding of the fundamental aspects of doing business in Africa

Dimitri Lesini – Partner, Laytons LLP

3. Investing in Technology and Innovation to stimulate Growth in Travel and Tourism.

Presentation by Mr. Jayanth Kolla, Founder & Partner Convergence Catalyst/Blockchain

11:15 – 11:30: Morning Refreshment and Networking Break

11:30 – 13:15: Tourism Project Owners’ Presentations

Presented by: Mr. Phillip Cash, Aviation and Tourism Consultant

1. The Red Sea Development project

Presentation by Mr. Jay Rosen CFO, Rea Sea Development Company, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

2. Blue Amber project Zanzibar

Presentation by Mr. Saleh Said, CEO Blue Amber, Zanzibar

3. Thracian Cliffs – Marriott project, Bulgaria

Presentation by Mr. Georg Tsvetanski, Chairman Thracian Cliffs, Bulgaria

4. Zoobox – a new hotel concept

Presentation by Mr. Guillaume Pellerin, CEO – Zoobox, Ireland

5. Voyya – combining business travels and foreign VAT refunds

Presentation by Mr Sean Winter, CEO Voyya

6. Shaping Smart Futures in Responsible Tourism (Africa and Caribbean)

Presentation by Ms. Manal Kelig, ATTA Executive Director, Middle East and North Africa and Ms. Gabriella Stowell. ATTA Regional Director, Latin America and Caribbean

13:15 – 13:30: ITIC Conference Closing

Dr Taleb Rifai, Chairman ITIC Advisory Board and Ibrahim Ayoub – Group CEO and Organiser

13:30 – 17:00: Lunch, Refreshment and Networking Break

Investor and Project Owner Prearranged Meetings

Investment Summit Exhibit

Posted on May 18, 2020May 19, 2020 by admin

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]

The International Tourism & Investment Conference (ITIC – www.itic.uk)

General News and Information

Ben Lock

Haitham Mattar

Peter Greenberg

3 DAY CONFERENCE & INVESTMENT PLATFORM by ITIC – TOURISM INVESTMENT SUMMIT

June 10 Investment Summit Programme

The Future of Travel & Tourism
Financial strategies for recovery

ITIC Investment Summit June 10 Registration

ITIC Investment Summit June Registration

ITIC 2019 Video Gal

SPEECHES

H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca Former President of Malta

Hon. Nikolina Angelkova Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria

Closing Speech Hon. Edmund Bartlett CD, MP Minister of Tourism of Jamaica

Closing Speech Hon. Memunatu B. Pratt, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs of Sierra Leone

ITIC 2019 conference Sessions

Part I

Part II

PART III

PART IV

PART V

PART VI

PART VII

PART VIII

Past Event Nov. 2019

Theme: Global Investment Opportunities in Sustainable Tourism focusing on Africa, Island nations and emerging destinations

Day 1 – 01 November 2019, Friday

Day 2 – 02 November 2019, Saturday

Investment Summit Exhibit

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

The Future of Travel & Tourism Financial strategies for recovery

SPEECHES

H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca Former President of Malta

Hon. Nikolina Angelkova Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria

Closing Speech Hon. Edmund Bartlett CD, MP Minister of Tourism of Jamaica

Closing Speech Hon. Memunatu B. Pratt, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs of Sierra Leone

ITIC 2019 conference Sessions

Part I

Part II

PART III

PART IV

PART V

PART VI

PART VII

PART VIII

Theme: Global Investment Opportunities in Sustainable Tourism focusing on Africa, Island nations and emerging destinations

Day 1 – 01 November 2019, Friday

Day 2 – 02 November 2019, Saturday

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

The Future of Travel & Tourism
Financial strategies for recovery