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.

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 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.

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.

Former Chairman, World Travel and Tourism Council. Now Ambassador for the WTTC.
Non-executive Director Dubai Expo2020 Advisory Board.
Non-executive Director Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority advisory board.
Non-executive Director Temes Hotels and Resorts, Greece.
Non-executive Director, Adnec, Abu Dhabi.
Former President and CEO Jumeirah Group.
Director International Tourism Investment Corporation

Gerald Lawless started his career with Forte Hotels which culminated in him setting up and growing Forte’s operations in the Middle East.

After a 23-year career with Forte Hotels, he joined Jumeirah in 1997 and helped establish it as one of the premier luxury hotel brands in the world. Taking on the challenge of launching Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious hotel, after the successful introduction of Jumeirah Beach Hotel to an eager travelling public, Mr. Lawless went on to become President and Group Chief Executive Officer of the Jumeirah Group. He then lead the development of the group for the next twenty years.

• At the beginning of 2016, having served at the helm of the Jumeirah Group, Mr. Lawless assumed a new leadership position responsible for tourism and hospitality in Dubai Holding, the Group’s parent company. During this period he served as Chairman of the World Travel and Tourism Council.He has now retired from these roles and continues to reside in Dubai.

Mr. Lawless is a Graduate of Shannon College of Hotel Management in Ireland and holds the following Honorary Degrees:

• Doctor of Business Administration in Hospitality Management at the Johnson & Wales University, State of Rhode Island, USA;
• Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws at the National University of Ireland, Galway;
• Honorary Doctorate at the Middlesex University Dubai.

He served as a member of the Global Agenda Council on the Future of Mobility with the World Economic Forum. He is fellow member of the Institute of Hospitality; and a member of the International Advisory Board of the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne.

Recipient of the 2017 Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad.

During his 45 year career he has worked in the following locations: Galway, Geneva, Southampton, Swindon, Glasgow, Dubai 1978 to 1982, Durban, London, Bahrain, Dublin, and Dubai again since 1991.

He has been responsible for the development of hotels in various regions and has visited many cities within these countries and regions including North Africa, virtually all countries of the Middle East, the CIS and Asian countries such as Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Thailand, Cambodia.He has participated in UAE trade delegations to China where he has negotiated management agreements for over 8 hotels.

He has also been responsible for the Caribbean division of Forte hotels in Bermuda, Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados and Guyana.

In his capacity as Chairman of the World Travel and Tourism Council 2016 to 2018 he has addressed conferences throughout the world.

He has also attended the Annual World Economic Forum in Davos on nine occasions.

He has been a member of the Farmleigh Forum and the advisory Board of the Global Irish Network.

Nisha is a management consultant, corporate trainer and academic with more than 25 years of extensive management experience in the Tourism, Hospitality and Events industry. As the Founder of Elevated Consultancy and Training, Nisha provides regional and international consultancy work in the area of tourism and hospitality development in destinations. She extends marketing and management consul to destination marketing teams to develop long term strategic plans and capacity planning and development.

Nisha is a co-founder of World Women Tourism, a network intelligence platform that provides opportunities to women in tourism to connect, grow and flourish. The organization visions to impact the trajectory of women in the tourism industry through promoting diversity, knowledge sharing, building networks, capacity building and opening up business opportunities. Nisha also initiated SheInTourism, a collaborative platform that paves the pathways for Asian women in tourism to flourish and realize their potentials. She is an invited keynote speaker, thought leader and panelist for conferences and seminars in internationally.

Nisha is also a qualified corporate trainer and professional coach and has been bestowed with several awards, including the Outstanding Tourism Trainer 2010 accolade by Workforce Development Authority (WDA) of Singapore. She is a passionate academic and lecturers at several higher education as well as a curriculum developer for academic and professional skills-based programs. She has completed her Ph.D. in the area of tourism education and her research interests are in the areas of women in tourism, tourism branding and marketing, tourism education, halal tourism and sustainable tourism.

World-renowned Communications Guru & Seasoned Hospitality & Tourism Professional

François Baird is a founder and chairman of Baird’s CMC Ltd, Baird’s US LLC and Calbridge (Pty) Ltd. Baird’s CMC is an international communications management consultancy with 34 partners in 17 countries who employ about 500 people. He is also the founder of the FairPlay anti-dumping trade movement.

François consults internationally on issues, communication and strategy to clients across the world in the USA, Africa, India, Europe and the Middle East. His specialties are market entry strategies, public affairs, corporate reputation risk assessment and management, communication strategy and crisis management. He consults to governments, international institutions and companies.

He has a special interest in developing countries and institutions and has advised the Rectors of Stellenbosch University (Brink and Botman) and the Chancellor of Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (Botha). François is a Board member of the University of Pretoria Centre for Communication and Reputation Management and the Child Witness Foundation. He serves on the Board of the Presidential Precinct and is an advisor to its Young Africa Leaders Initiative (YALI) program.

He has a long track record in advising boards and top management, advising state owned enterprises, financial institutions and technology companies, among many others.

He has worked in Africa outside South Africa since 1988. Over the years he has managed election campaigns for President Chiluba of Zambia, for President Chissano in Mozambique and advised on election campaigns invarious other African countries.

François is an American citizen who was born in South Africa, grew up on a farm in its Northwest province, started his career on the gold mines, attained a degree in international politics and political science at the University of Pretoria, served as a commissioned officer in the SA Air Force and founded his own business in 1987, following various corporate management positions at Gold Fields of SA, Small Business Development Corporation and Sappi, the South African multi-national forestry products company. He is also emeritus Chairman, Africa of Daniel J Edelman Inc.”