8th Global Travel and Tourism Summit kicks off with insightful morning sessions

Pioneers in the global travel and tourism industry exchanged insightful experiences to inspire individuals, businesses and governments to act with renewed energy and commitment for meeting the sector's desired objectives.

Organised under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the two-day summit is being hosted at the Madinat Jumeirah. The event, which is keenly followed by industry observers worldwide for its incisive outcomes, has been facilitated by a unique public and private sector partnership comprising DTCM, Emirates Group, Jumeirah Group and Nakheel.

JW Marriott Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International Inc, set the tone for the morning session with his perspective that "a world full of travellers is a world humming with opportunities".

He added: "All of us in the global travel and tourism industry have a unique platform to sow the seeds of opportunity and cultural understanding around the world. The march of a truly global economy has become a symbol of freedom. Freedom of opportunity. Freedom of choice. Freedom from want."

Moderated by Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor, NBC Today Show, the pilot session featured engaging dialogue with leading figures from the local and global tourism and travel industry. Titled "Travel and Tourism: Central To Society - Universal in its Impact", the session addressed how increasing levels of wealth across the world has increased the significance of travel and tourism in people's lives and societies. It also explored the industry's potential for further nurturing the world's natural and cultural environments.

Participants in the first session included Stephen P Holmes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Wyndham Worldwide; Dara Khosrowshahi, President and Chief Executive Officer, Expedia Inc; Mahmud Jan Mohamed, Managing Director, Serena Hotels Africa and Head of Tourism Department for the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development; and, Mohammed Al Habbai, CEO of Dubailand.

The second session on 'Global Perspectives - Changing Priorities', looked into the rapidly shifting parameters of the fast growing travel and tourism industry, and analysed the synergy among economic, political, environmental and social changes on an international level, which determine the context in which the industry must operate.

Professor Norbert Walter, Chief Economist - Deutsche Bank Group and CEO - Deutsche Bank Research, opened the second session that was moderated by Nik Gowing, Chief Presenter, BBC World.

His Excellency Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority; Christopher Dickey, Paris Bureau Chief and Middle East Regional Editor, Newsweek; Edouard Ettedgui, Group Chief Executive, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group; Arthur de Haast, Global CEO, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels; and Jabu Mabuza, CEO, Tsogo Sun Group, also participated in the discussions.

Christopher Dickey said: "The tourism industry should interact with the local population since your population - your people - are the most significant representatives of your country. There has to be a trickle-down effect to the local people - the industry needs to share its benefits and not benefit in isolation of its local population."

This session highlighted principal trends in the world in 2008 and beyond, which can constrain the industry's potential for growth, sustainability and responsibility. It also spotlighted new opportunities from economic growth, international trade and new tourism markets. Concurrently, the pressures from climate change and population growth, as well as the consequences emerging out of the rise of China, Russia, the Middle East and India were also discussed.

The chief deliverable of the Summit will be a maximal agreement on the priority areas for responsible Travel and Tourism for the industry, host communities, governments and for travellers - each playing a vital role as global citizens.