Spanning a career of 20 years in the tourism industry, Dr. Lubna Al Mazroei experience pertains in various areas of the industry, from research and development, education, policy and planning to strategies, human capital and investments.

She currently holds a strategic role as the Manager of Economic Diversification Investments at Oman Investment Authority, overseeing and leading the sovereign fund portfolio of assets and investments for the tourism sector in Oman.

She is also the chairperson for the board of trustees at Oman Tourism College and the vice chairperson for the board of directors at Oman Air.

Maher Abou Nasr has been with IHG for over 10 years. He started his career with the company as Regional Director, Finance & Business Support for our operations in the UAE and Near East Africa. He served as Director Development for Middle East and Africa, working with owners and partners across the region with a special focus on KSA.

Most recently as Head of Operations Finance for IMEA, overseeing the Middle East, Africa and South West Asian markets, he helped navigate our team and owner community through the pandemic, leading cash management initiatives and creating operational efficiencies to set the foundation for a strong recovery.

As VP Operations for Saudi Arabia, Maher Is responsible for the performance of the hotels in Saudi, driving operational excellence, building stronger owner relationships, driving greater owner returns and developing the national talent. He is also focussed on renovations and upgrading the quality of our current portfolio across the nation and driving Journey to Tomorrow, IHG’s 10-year responsible business plan, in the country.

H.E. Makram Mustafa A. Queisi assumed the role of Minister of Tourism and Antiquities in Jordan in 2022. His previous ministerial role was as Minister of Youth in 2018.

He is the holder of B.A. in Computer Science (Jordan) and Master of Arts in Diplomatic Studies (U.K).

H.E. Queisi is an experienced diplomat having represented the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan at Ambassadorial level in a number of countries including France, Portugal, Slovakia, Austria, Monaco and The Vatican. Furthermore, he acted as Jordan’s permanent representative at various international organizations including UNESCO, CTBTO, IAEA, UNIDO, UNODC, UNOV, OSCE.

H.E. Queisi’s diplomatic acumen has been recognized and appreciated by a number Heads of States through their bestowment of recognition medals such as Grand Golden Badge of Honor of Austria, Swedish Grand Officer Medal as well as numerous recognition medals from Jordan, Spain, Norway, Italy, the Netherlands, and Ukraine.

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As the Marketing and Sales Director, Lee-Anne is responsible for the sales and marketing at The Singer Group, a well-known travel and hospitality company with a track record of almost 60 years in the business.

With over 20 years of experience, she focuses on business development, identifying new business opportunities and partnerships for the Group. She was recently appointed as Chairperson of FEDHASA Cape, and serves on the board of Glendale, a home for intellectually disabled adults.

Her career highlights include speaking at the International Travel Tech Conference in Tel Aviv and winning the ‘Western Cape Positive Role Model’ title in the Gender Mainstreaming Awards.

Lee-Anne has worked in various roles within the media industry, including CNBC Africa, The Property Magazine and Top Women in Business and Government.

Cornė Koch is Head of the Cape Town and Western Cape Convention Bureau at Wesgro (the official tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for Cape Town and the Western Cape). She is a passionate promoter of the importance of business events for economic growth and responsible to position the Western Cape as the top destination in Africa to host a meeting.

After commencing her formal career at the South African Chamber of Commerce, she enters her career in the destination marketing sector in 2003 – 2008 as the Gauteng Tourism Authority’s Business Tourism Manger. Leaving the sector for a short stint to pursue her other passion, that of strategic communication, she took on the role of Communications Manager at the Advertising Standards Authority of South Africa before re-entering the sector in 2011 as Trade Development and Partnership Manager at Gauteng Tourism Authority.

In 2014 she relocated to Cape Town joining the Wesgro team in the Destination Marketing Organisation. Corne currently serves as a member of the Board of the International Congress and Convention Association, as well as the Cape Castle Control Board and is past Chair of the BestCities Global Alliance.

Wrenelle has over 28 years of work experience in the aviation and energy industries.

She has led multiple large-scale enterprises, including implementing significant capital investment programmes within budget & schedule, navigating the complex matrix of a global listed corporate and managing organisations through periods of intense crisis. She has an acute understanding of the required sensitivity needed to operate effectively in a complex stakeholder environment, including media management and staff.

Wrenelle has extensive experience in both public and private sector. Finding the sweet spot in the nexus between the two is the thread that strings together her various roles.

Prior to joining Wesgro, Wrenelle held three other enterprise leadership roles, including that of Chief Executive Officer of Comair Limited, Managing Director of Sasol Gas Limited and Managing Director of Air Traffic and Navigation Services Company.

She has extensive Board experience both as an Executive Director, as well as a Non-Executive Director. She currently serves as an independent, Non-Executive Director of Sishen Iron Ore.

Wrenelle holds an MBA from Oxford Brookes University in the United Kingdom, as well as a BA (Hons) degree from the University of Cape Town.

Themba joined South African Tourism in September 2019 as Chief Marketing Officer. He is responsible for defining, establishing and driving the South African Tourism brand in the domestic, regional and global markets as well as driving the overall marketing effort in order to achieve the economic outcomes required of the tourism sector from the National Development Plan (NDP).

A seasoned professional with entrepreneurial flair, Themba has held senior marketing executive positions in blue chip companies like Unilever, Coca-Cola, MTN, Cell C and Telkom among others. He also has aviation and tourism experience, having held executive positions at South African Tourism (2003-2006), Airports Company South Africa and South African Airways where he was prior to joining South African Tourism.

A lawyer by training, Themba holds a Bachelor of Arts Law degree, masters certificates in marketing and organizational behaviour, as well as a certificate in Digital Marketing. Themba serves on the board of the Marketing Association of South Africa. Themba is a certified Chartered Marketer and serves as a board member of the Marketing Association of South Africa.

Nomasonto Ndlovu is South African Tourism’s (SA Tourism) Chief Operations Officer. She was recently employed by Transnet in the capacity of Executive Manager: Tourism, Heritage and Hospitality, a role she has occupied since November 2020 where she was responsible for heading up the newly established Tourism, Heritage & Hospitality Business unit. She left Transnet at the end of June 2022.

Prior to joining Transnet, Nomasonto was at the helm of the Limpopo Tourism Agency in the position of Chief Executive Officer. She has held various other leadership positions in the tourism sector including her role as Global Manager: Business Tourism when she was previously at SA Tourism between 2008 and 2012, before joining the City of Tshwane as Strategic Executive Director Communications, Marketing & Events.

She is a seasoned Marketing and Tourism Expert with a diverse experience gained from both private and public sector organisations including Unilever, Standard Bank, Kwa Zulu-Natal Tourism Authority. She has gained extensive experience in Marketing Operations, Brand Management, Communications, Stakeholder Management and Media Relations. A well-respected public speaker, content creator and opinion leader in the tourism industry, Nomasonto also mentors young upcoming tourism professionals.