Global Travel & Tourism Summit Printed Programme

Summit 

Programme 

Organised by: 

Hosted by: 

Summit Patrons: 

WORLD CITIZENS 

www.globaltraveltourism.com

contents 

Introduction 

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum 2 

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum 4 

HE Khalid bin Sulayem 5 

HE Sultan bin Sulayem 6 

Maurice Flanagan CBE 7 

Gerald Lawless 8 

Geoffrey JW Kent 9 

Jean-Claude Baumgarten 9 

The Round 10 

The Programme 

Opening Ceremony 12 

Travel & Tourism – central to society – universal in its impact 13 

Global perspectives – changing priorities 14 

Human inspiration – world-changing answers 16 

The questions are tough and they’re getting tougher 18 

The industry is smart – and it’s getting smarter 20 

We’ve always looked ahead – now we’re looking further 22 

Social Programme 24 

Partners’ Programme 30 

Profiles 

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum 

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum 

Host 

Patrons 

Government Leaders 

Industry Leaders 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

x 

Summit Host, Patrons and Partners 

x 

1

Picture © Emirates, courtesy of www.arabian-adventures.com 


VICE PRESIDENT AND PRIME MINISTER OF UAE AND THE RULER OF DUBAI 

To all those of you who have travelled here for this Summit, it is 

a pleasure to welcome you to Dubai. For all of us who live in 

Dubai, we are delighted to be your hosts for this encounter, both 

personally and professionally. 

Travel and welcome are the two sides of the same coin - and in this part of the 

world we have a long tradition in both. 

I am proud of the way that Dubai has carried these concepts forward into the 

21st century with a sense of adventure and enterprise. We fully understand the 

importance of travel and tourism - for the world, and for Dubai. 

As the success of Dubai has demonstrated , travel and tourism can be a 

factor for growth, for jobs, for trade, for positive change - and above all, for 

understanding. 

We know, too, that this potential puts travel and tourism in a powerful position 

of influence right around the world. We are consequently very glad to welcome 

the participants to this Global Summit. 

We look forward to the reflections of leading figures from industry and 

governments on how this potential can be realised for positive change. Through 

dialogue and exchange, this Summit will be able to help shape the future of 

travel and tourism - and in so doing, it can also advance the ability of the travel 

and tourism industry to help shape the future of the world. 

3


PRESIDENT OF THE DUBAI CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY, 

CHAIRMAN OF DUBAI AIRPORTS, AND CHAIRMAN 

AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE, EMIRATES AIRLINE AND GROUP 

This region’s long history at the centre of trade between East and West 

has made us very familiar with the importance of travel to human 

relations. But few of our ancestors could have imagined that Dubai would 

one day be hosting the Global Travel and Tourism Summit. 

It is an indication of how far and how fast the global landscape is changing. 

Dubai has successfully harnessed the benefits of modern travel and 

tourism - as its skyline and coastline proclaim to every visitor. Through 

imaginative public-private partnerships, it has been able to create a new 

world for itself, generating employment and increasing wealth while 

providing first-class hospitality and visitor experience. 

What Dubai has achieved is an example of a profound change in pace 

in the evolution of society and of the economic context around the 

world. The rise of new and emerging economies is offering massive new 

opportunities for buoyant growth, and for wider access to its benefits. 

Travel and tourism is at the forefront of these new possibilities. And, in 

a changing world, travel and tourism itself is evolving, taking increasing 

account of its own responsibilities as an influential world citizen. The new 

maturity of the travel and tourism sector and the new maturity of Dubai 

come together over these days of the Summit, and we are pleased to play 

our part in ensuring the success of this Summit. 

4

HE Khalid bin Sulayem 

DIRECTOR GENERAL, DUBAI GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT 

OF TOURISM AND COMMERCE MARKETING 

In my professional capacity I spend a lot of time meeting leading figures from the 

travel and tourism sector - and it is often a great personal pleasure as well. 

During these days of the Global Travel and Tourism Summit in Dubai, my 

pleasure is multiplied, as so many participants have come here to take part in our 

discussions and experience our hospitality. I know I am going to meet many old 

friends, and I am confident I am going to make many new ones, too. 

This is the beauty of travel and tourism - the opportunity for people to explore the 

unknown, to come together and share experiences, and to gain wider and deeper 

understanding of one another and of the world around them. 

Here, of course, we have a very intense business agenda. And the central subject, 

of how everyone in the travel and tourism sector can play their role fully as 

world citizens, is one that we in Dubai fully endorse. We have seen how great 

the benefits of travel and tourism can be. And in realising these benefits, we 

have also encountered many of the challenges that will be discussed during this 

Summit. 

We are keen to make our contribution to this important debate, because we 

are very conscious of the responsibilities that the leaders of the travel and 

tourism sector carry. It is they who have the duty of ensuring that this sector 

takes account of the needs of the world in which it operates. It is more than a 

professional duty. It is an honour. 

At this Summit, I am sure much will be gained by everyone on a professional level. 

But I hope that while you are here, all of you will enjoy your stay in Dubai and 

that you will remember it long after you have returned home. 

5

HE Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem 

CHAIRMAN, DUBAI WORLD 

Imagination is seeing ahead - but it is much more than that, too. It is 

having the courage to move ahead; to find ways of turning ideas into 

reality. The travel and tourism industry around the world has repeatedly 

shown that it knows how to do that. And we here in Dubai are 

modestly but justly proud of what we too have done to put our own 

vision into practice. 

The sense of commitment is what makes the difference between a 

dreamer and a visionary. Because getting audacious projects started 

needs energy, and seeing them through to completion needs consistent 

attention, dedication, and the capacity to motivate everyone involved. 

In short, it needs leadership. 

The travel and tourism sector, which thrives on imagination, is 

fortunate also in having many such leaders. It is a great satisfaction to 

welcome so many of them here to Dubai. It gives me pleasure to be 

able to share with them some of our domestic achievements - such 

as Nakheel’s Palm, or Dubai World, and to reflect with them on the 

possibilities for new partnerships around the world. 

At this Summit, I look forward to exchanging ideas on how the travel 

and tourism industry can exploit its imagination, deploy its courage 

and energy, and forge new partnerships to keep building - in every 

sense of the word - a better world. 

6

Maurice Flanagan CBE 

Executive Vice Chairman, Emirates Airline AND Group 

It is 30 years ago that I came to Dubai, and it has been my privilege and 

pleasure to witness, at first hand, the transformation that has taken place 

here and in the region. I have had some exciting moments during my 

lifetime, but I can honestly say that being a part of the Dubai adventure 

has been an experience for me that nothing else equals. 

Now it is the fulfillment of a long-held dream of my own to be able to 

play a part in welcoming so many of you to Dubai. This Global Travel 

and Tourism Summit combines the best of both professional and personal 

satisfactions. Professionally, you will all play your part in writing the next 

chapter of travel and tourism’s long history. And personally, you will be 

able to see why I have been so enthusiastic about Dubai and about what 

Emirates has done to help realise the Dubai vision. 

I look forward to the pleasure of your company over the coming days. 

7

Gerald Lawless 

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, JUMEIRAH GROUP 

The travel and tourism sector has mass appeal and global reach - but its 

delivery depends in every case on people, on individuals. This is why 

all successful travel and tourism companies take their responsibilities 

seriously as people-centred operations. 

The focus on people extends across all aspects of the business - from 

contact with our customers to the working conditions for our staff, 

and from links with suppliers to relations with host communities in our 

destinations. 

Because the travel and tourism industry generates jobs, it obviously 

puts great emphasis on education and training. But there are wider 

objectives, too. Travel and tourism promotes cultural interchange and the 

industry consequently takes very seriously the responsibilities that this 

entails. Properly managed, travel and tourism is a vehicle for developing 

respect among its customers as well as among its staff for the social and 

environmental assets of the entire planet. 

8

Geoffrey JW Kent 

CHAIRMAN, WORLD TRAVEL & TOURISM COUNCIL 

AND CHAIRMAN & CEO, ABERCROMBIE & KENT 

A year of preparation for this meeting is now about to bear fruit. 

As hundreds of you gather here in Dubai for this Global Travel & Tourism 

Summit, I not only have the pleasure of welcoming you. I also have the 

duty to remind you that - alongside the many pleasures that our gracious 

hosts have provided - there is work to do. 

We have entitled this conference World Citizens. This is no accident or 

rhetoric. As an industry, we play a major role in developing a sense among 

our customers of being world citizens. But we, too, as businessmen, have 

a special responsibility - as do the politicians we are pleased to welcome 

among us - to ensure that we are fully aware of the responsibilities that 

fall upon us in acting as world citizens. 

The size and scope of Travel & Tourism puts it in a genuinely influential 

position in world affairs. We are here in Dubai to reflect on how we can 

use that influence not just for our own benefit, but for the benefit of the 

entire world. 

Jean-Claude Baumgarten 

PRESIDENT & CEO, WORLD TRAVEL & TOURISM COUNCIL 

We are deeply fortunate in our hosts. Dubai has provided WTTC with the 

perfect environment for this Global Travel & Tourism Summit. The scene 

is set for a truly historic encounter here, at the crossroads of cultures and 

continents, at a time of rapid and profound change right across the planet. 

Now the spotlight turns on you, our participants and guests, to use the 

springboard this meeting offers - for debate, for exchange, for building 

new relations, for reflecting together on how far we as an industry have 

come until today, and on how we should develop for tomorrow. 

I look forward to new insights and to the emergence of new 

understanding - and to sharing with you the pleasures of Dubai, too. 

9

TM 

TM 

Come into 

The Round 

Sponsored by: 

WTTC HAS DEVELOPED A SIGNATURE FORMAT OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS WHICH 

HAS BECOME INTEGRAL TO THE DYNAMISM OF DEBATE ACHIEVED AT THE SUMMIT. 

“Creativity flourishes in an environment of open dialogue. The Summit’s signature format – The Round – 

will play an important role in engaging world leaders in an open exchange of ideas that will help to unlock 

the full potential of our industry. I look forward to the meaningful discussions that will take place at the 

Summit in Dubai, where we will harness the imagination and energy of business, governments and opinion 

leaders in The Round to tackle the issues and seize the opportunities that are emerging for our industry 

across the globe.” 

Mohammed Alhabbai, CEO, Dubailand 

The Facilitators of The Round... 

Christopher Rodrigues CBE, Chairman, VisitBritain 

Rob Webb QC, General Counsel, British Airways 

Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor, NBC Today Show 

Nik Gowing, Main Presenter, BBC World 

Philip Wolf, President and CEO, PhoCusWright Inc 

“” 

10

Summit Programme 

20 – 22 April • Dubai 

Programme at a glance 

We l c o m e Di n n e r • 20 Ap r i l 

19.00 – 22.00 Welcome Dinner 

(Jumeirah Beach Events Arena) 

Su m m i t Day On e • 21 Ap r i l 

08.30 Opening Ceremony 

09.00 – 10.15 Travel & Tourism: central to society 

– universal in its impact 

10.15 – 10.30 Coffee Break 

10.30 – 12.00 Global perspectives – changing priorities 

12.00 Special Inauguration 

12.45 – 14.00 Networking Lunch 

14.00 – 15.30 Human inspiration – world-changing answers 


16.00 – 17.30 The questions are tough – and they’re 

getting tougher 

20.15 – 23.00 Gala Dinner (Fort Lisaili) 

Coaches pickup from the Madinat Jumeirah at 19.15 

Su m m i t Day T w o • 22 Ap r i l 

08.30 – 11.10 The industry is smart – and it’s getting smarter 


11.30 – 14.00 We’ve always looked ahead – now we’re 

looking further 

14.00 Lunch 

The Summit sessions and events will be held at the Madinat Jumeirah unless otherwise specified above. 

11


“” 

fundamental to 

our lives 

12

Summit Day One: The Programme 21 April 

Opening Ceremony 

08.30 OPENING REMARKS 

Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President & CEO, World Travel & Tourism Council 

A SPECIAL WELCOME ADDRESS 

HE Khalid bin Sulayem, Director General, Dubai Government Department 

of Tourism and Commerce Marketing 

Travel & Tourism: central to society 

– universal in its impact 

Travel & Tourism is – for many people around the world – a basic human right, as fundamental to 

their lives as food, shelter and freedom. And, with growth projections based on increasing levels 

of wealth across the world, the phenomenon of Travel & Tourism is called to play an even more 

significant role in our lives and our societies. 

This session aims to: 

• Celebrate Travel & Tourism as a manifestation of 

human freedom and initiative - and its contributions 

to economic and social freedom and to peace and 

international understanding; 

• Explore Travel & Tourism’s potential for further 

contributions to nurturing the world’s natural and 

cultural environments and for widening the impact 

of its social and economic benefits. 

09.00 – 09.15 Scene Setter 

JW Marriott Jr, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International, Inc 

09.15 – 10.15 Panel Discussion 

Moderator: Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor NBC Today Show 

Lead contributors: 

HH Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, Secretary General, 

Supreme Commission for Tourism, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 

Saeed Al Muntafiq, Executive Chairman, Tatweer 

Stephen P Holmes, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Wyndham Worldwide 

Dara Khosrowshahi, President & 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 

13


“” 

assessing the trends and 

adapting to 

change 

14


Global perspectives – changing priorities 

Increasingly in today’s world, influences from economic, political, environmental and social 

changes now routinely interact at an international level, and determine the context in which 

everyone has to operate. A mature international sector such as Travel & Tourism has to take this 

seriously in its own planning and policy development. 


• Assess the principal trends in the world in 2008 and 

beyond which can constrain the industry’s potential 

for growth, sustainability and responsibility; 

• Examine possible responses from Travel & Tourism - 

notably to: 

- the opportunities of economic growth, international 

trade, new tourism markets, greater leisure, wider 

education, longer lifespans, inter-culturalism, and 

technologies in travel and communications; 

- the pressures from climate change, population 

growth, wider inequalities, cultural tensions, political 

instability, financial market volatility, increased 

competition for land, water, food and energy; 

- the changes in context resulting from the rise of 

China, Russia, the Middle East and India, from the 

speed of scientific advance and the pervasiveness of 

information technology, and from milestones such 

as the phase-out of leaded petrol worldwide in 

December 2008, or from the increasingly dominant 

role of the news and entertainment media. 

10.30 – 10.35 Special Welcoming Remarks 



Moderator: 

HE Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman, Abu Dhabi 

Tourism Authority 

Professor Norbert Walter, Chief Economist, Deutsche Bank Group and CEO, 

Deutsche Bank Research 


Panel Contributors: 

HE Mubarak Al Muhairi, Director General, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority 

Christopher Dickey, Paris Bureau Chief and Middle East Regional Editor, 

Newsweek 

Arthur de Haast, Global CEO, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels 

Jabu Mabuza, Chairman, South Africa Tourism, Group Chief Executive, 

Tsogo Sun Holdings Ltd and Southern Sun Hotels 

Edouard Ettedgui, Group Chief Executive, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group 

12.00 Special InaugurATION 

 


Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and the Ruler of Dubai 

15


“” 

develop innovative 

and responsible 

answers to global 

challenges 

16


Human inspiration – 

world-changing answers 

Industry leaders are increasingly defined by their success in harnessing technological advances 

and human creativity to develop innovative and responsible answers to global challenges. 

What can Travel & Tourism learn from the leaders of global industry 


• Examine innovative steps taken by other industries 

and by new destinations in responding to 

opportunities, pressures, and changes; 

• Suggest transferable concepts that can focus the Travel 

& Tourism sector’s reflections on the future. 


Qiwei Shao, Chairman, China National Tourism Administration 


Moderator: Christopher Rodrigues CBE, Chairman, VisitBritain 


Nick Fry, Chief Executive Officer, Honda Racing F1 Team 

The Honourable Onkokame Kitso Mokaila, Minister for Environment, 

Wildlife and Tourism of Botswana 

Bill Reinert, National Manager, Toyota Motor Sales, USA 

Craig Moon, President and Publisher, USA Today 

Habib Fekih, President, Airbus Middle East 

17


“” 

Complex world, 

long-term 

vision 

18


The questions are tough – and they’re 

getting tougher 

In a now instantaneous world, vision is vital for success. The Travel & Tourism industry’s 

planning, investment and partnership in the 21st century have to take account of new factors. 

Increasingly, success depends on co-operation between the Travel & Tourism sector and 

governments, who make a crucial contribution to a predictable environment, and to providing 

the infrastructure for the right development. This leaves open the question of what is ‘right’ 

– and how to achieve vital balances: particularly, growth in Travel & Tourism with protection 

of the environment, and higher quality Travel & Tourism with accessible prices. Government, 

industry and the individual all now have to examine who they are and what each of them can 

do – in terms of strategy, structure and people. 


• Provoke long-term thinking about the future of 

Travel & Tourism; 

• Elicit views from destinations, Travel & Tourism 

companies and governments on partnerships 

and balances. 


Moderator: 

Rob Webb QC, General Counsel, British Airways 


The Honourable Predrag Nenezić, Minister of Tourism & Environment 

of Montenegro 

Joe Sita, CEO, Nakheel Hotels 

Sarmad Zok, Chief Executive Officer, Kingdom Hotel Investments 

Geoff Muirhead CBE, Group Chief Executive, Manchester Airports Group 

Alan Parker, Chief Executive, Whitbread PLC 

17.25 – 17.30 Closing REMARKS 


19


“” inexhaustible 

initiative 

20

Summit Day Two: The Programme 22 April 

The industry is smart – 

and it’s getting smarter 

There are challenges in the broader world around us and in the immediate world of Travel & 

Tourism. But, thanks to the inexhaustible initiative and imagination of the sector, it is constantly 

coming up with new answers. This session showcases some of the most striking examples. 


• Demonstrate how the Travel & Tourism industry is 

already innovating in ways that meet the complexity 

of challenges; 

• Identify concepts of Travel & Tourism that can further 

respond to changing circumstances. 

08.30 – 09.10 Opening remarks 


Moderator: 


Marilyn Carlson Nelson, Chairman, & Chief Executive Officer, Carlson 

09.10 – 09.30 Special Keynote 


HE Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman, Dubai World 

Dr Kjell Nordstrom, Associate Professor, Stockholm School of Economics 

Philip Wolf, CEO, PhoCusWright Inc 


Dr Alex Christou, Managing Partner, Accenture 

Stevan D Porter, President, The Americas, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) 

Philippe Bourguignon, Vice Chairman, Revolution Places LLC, 

CEO, Revolution Places Development 

Ed Gilligan, Vice Chairman, American Express Company 

21


“” strategic 

commitment 

22

Summit Day Two: The Programme 22 April 

We’ve always looked ahead – 

now we’re looking further 

The Travel & Tourism sector’s ability to look ahead and to adapt has made it what it is. The same 

is true for forward-looking destinations like Dubai. But now, at a period that is simultaneously 

more challenging and that offers more opportunity, it is time for a more conscious and strategic 

commitment to working for the future of the sector and of the global community. What is the 

vision of leaders for their companies, the Travel & Tourism industry and nations worldwide 


• Move the dialogue from analysis towards action. 

Having: 

- assessed the industry’s responsibilities; 

- identified priority issues for attention; 

- offered demonstrations of practical challenges 

successfully met; 

- explored the role of long-term thinking; 

• This session aims to list attainable targets for action that 

may inspire Summit participants and other leaders 

towards greater commitment to being world citizens – 

here, and beyond the Summit. 

11.30 – 12.00 Special One-on-One interview 

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, 

President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, 

and Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group 

Interviewed By: 



Moderator: 



Gerald Lawless, Executive Chairman, Jumeirah Group 

Sonu Shivdasani, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Six Senses Resorts & Spas 

Eric C Anderson, President & CEO, Space Adventures, Ltd 

Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, Chairman, Silversea Cruises 

13.15 – 13.55 A CONVERGENCE OF IDEAS 

The Moderators 

13.55 – 14.00 Official Closing Remarks 


23

Social Programme 


20 Ap r i l 

13.30 – 15.30 City of Contrasts 

19.00 – 22.00 Welcome Dinner 

(Jumeirah Beach Events Arena) 


20.15 – 23.00 Gala Dinner 

(Fort Lisaili) 

Including the Tourism For Tomorrow Awards 

23 Ap r i l 

08.00 – 20.00 The Els Club 

24

SPECIAL ADDRESS 



Sponsored by: 

Welcome Dinner 

A grassed open-air venue set adjacent to the beach overlooking the Arabian Sea, with a spectacular view 

of Burj Al Arab, Wild Wadi Water Park and Jumeirah Beach Hotel in the backdrop, the Arena is a splendid 

venue which offers an atmosphere with the combination of nature and elegance. The Arena is also renowned 

for hosting some of the high-profile events held in Dubai. The dinner will be served with an ambience of 

soothing lights, sea breezes and Round Table seating giving a once-in-a-lifetime experience overlooking 

the Arabian Sea. 

The backdrop of the dinner will be the magnificent Burj Al Arab Hotel. 

DATE: Sunday 20 April 

TIME: 19.00 – 22.00 

VENUE: Jumeirah Beach Events Arena 

DRESS: Cocktail Attire 

WELCOME REMARKS 


President &CEO 

World Travel & Tourism Council 

 

Chief Executive Officer 

National Bank of Dubai 


Executive Chairman 

Jumeirah Group 

Ghaith Al Ghaith 

Executive Vice President 

Commercial Operations 

Emirates Airline and Group 

Chris O’Donnell 

CEO, Nakheel 


25


Gala Dinner 

Sponsored by: 

The Dubai Host Committee and WTTC invite you to attend the 

Gala Dinner, which this year will have a truly Arabian flavour, taking 

place deep in the desert at the spectacular Fort Lisaili. The evening 

will include the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2008 winners’ 

ceremony, in association with Travelport. 

Coaches will depart from the Madinat Jumeirah complex at 19:15. 

The dress code for the Gala Dinner is cocktail attire. Please bear in 

mind that Fort Lisaili is a ‘desert camp’ and appropriate footwear is 

advisable. 

WELCOME REMARKS 

Geoffrey JW Kent 

Chairman, World Travel & Tourism Council 

Chairman and CEO, Abercrombie & Kent 

Salah Sharaf 

Chairman, Sharaf Group 

SPECIAL ADDRESS 

DATE: 

TIME: 

Monday 21 April 

20.15 – 23.00 (Coaches pickup from 

the Madinat Jumeirah at 19.15) 

Manal Shaheen 

Director – Sales, Marketing and 

Customer Service, Nakheel 

SPECIAL AWARD 


Executive Vice President 


In association with: 

TOURISM FOR TOMORROW AWARDS 

Compered by 

Rajan Datar 

BBC World 

Awards presented by 

Costas Christ 

Chairman of the Judges 

Jeff Clarke 

Chief Executive Officer and President, Travelport 

In 2003, WTTC made a call to action with the launch of a 

global Blueprint for New Tourism, declaring that a new consciousness 

was needed to lead the industry forward. The Blueprint outlined a 

multi-stakeholder vision that “looks beyond short-term considerations…and focuses on benefits 

not only for the people who travel, but also for people in the communities they visit, and for 

their respective natural, social and cultural environments.” Costas Christ, Chairman of the Judges 

Finalists: 

DESTINATION 

AWARD 

CONSERVATION 

AWARD 

INVESTOR IN PEOPLE 

AWARD 

GLOBAL TOURISM 

BUSINESS AWARD 

Blackstone Valley,USA 

Rinjani Trek Ecotourism 

Programme, Indonesia 

Town of Bouctouche, 

Canada 

Ecotourism Australia 

Grootbos Nature 

Reserve, South Africa 

Turtle Conservation 

Project, Sri Lanka 

Fair Trade in Tourism 

South Africa 

RARE / La Ruta 

Moskitia, Honduras 

Rainforest Expeditions - 

Posadas Amazonas, Peru 

Scandic Hotels AB, 

Sweden & Global 

Serena Hotels and 

Lodges, Kenya & Global 

Six Senses Resorts & 

Spas, Thailand & Global 

26


Al Lisaili Camp Site 

Custom-built to resemble a traditional Arab fort and comfortably accommodating up to 5,000 guests. 

Al Lisaili lies amid rolling dunes and provides an ideal setting for imaginative, themed events - from 

a re-created Arabian marketplace to a gala dinner. While maintaining the solitude and mystery of the 

desert, the fort – just 45 minutes drive from Dubai – is easily accessible by car. 

This evening will definitely be the highlight of the Summit and everything, in terms of organisation, is 

being done to reflect this. After entering the fenced arena, there will be rows of special ‘Shamiyanahs’ 

(Arabic tents open from two sides). 

27 

Picture © Emirates, courtesy of www.arabian-adventures.com


City of Contrasts 

Orientation Tour of Dubai City 

A tour of the city in a luxury air-conditioned coach that introduces visitors to several of Dubai’s key 

attractions. This tour provides a unique opportunity to view, first-hand, some of the world’s most stunning 

architectural feats including the magnificent Burj Al Arab Hotel and the Emirates Towers - the tallest structure 

in the Middle East and Europe - as well as the ancient and traditional structures of yesteryear, dominated by 

wind towers and walls constructed of sea coral, used to insulate the homes from the desert heat. 

Available to all participants 

DATE: Sunday 20 April 

TIME: 13.30 – 15.30 

Available to all partners 

DATE: Monday 21 April 

TIME: 09.30 – 17.30 


28


The Els Club 

Those seeking a first-class golfing experience, offering 

5-star service and the ultimate in prestige, will be won 

over by The Els Club – a true sporting gem that has 

been sensationally designed by US Open and British 

Open winner, Ernie Els. 

Stretching 7,538 yards with four sets of tees, allowing 

players a selection of different lengths from which to 

play, The Els Club will set a new benchmark for golf 

in Dubai when it opens in April 2008. The course will 

offer players a challenging round, but one with all the 

essential facilities that extend beyond its immaculate 

fairways and greens. Set on undulating slopes of native 

desert vegetation, it has a links-style layout combining 

traditional classic design. 

To quote Els on his last visit to the site, it will be “the 

best course in Dubai” – the jewel of Victory Heights 

at Dubai Sport City, the world’s first fully integrated 

athletic metropolis. And golf enthusiasts will also benefit 

from the Butch Harmon School of Golf, which provides 

the ultimate educational experience. 

A three-time Major winner, with 15 victories on the 

PGA Tour and 21 on the European Tour, Ernie Els was 

also the European Tour Order of Merit winner in 2003 

and 2004, so his golfing prowess speaks for itself. His 

latest triumph, The Els Club, will capture the attention 

of golf enthusiasts around the world who thrive on 

superlative quality. 

“I am proud to be associated with a project of this 

magnitude – there is nothing else like it anywhere,” said 

Els. “I firmly believe that Dubai Sports City will become 

a global centre for sports and will set the agenda for the 

development of sport on a worldwide scale.” 

Come and experience his latest success story for yourself. 

DATE: Wednesday 23 April 

TIME: 08.00 – 20.00 

VENUE: The Els Club 


29

Partners’ Programme 



09.30 – 17.30 City of Contrasts (See Social Programe for details) 

14.30 – 18.30 Echoes of the Past 

Su m m i t Day T w o • 22 Ap r i l 

09.30 – 13.30 Arabian Treasures 

09.30 – 13.30 Dubai Shopping 

30


Echoes of the Past 

Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House & Dubai Museum 

Overlooking the mouth of the Creek at Shindagah is a national monument that showcases the history and 

development of Dubai. Dating back to 1896, this imposing building was once the seat of local government, 

the nucleus for political and social organisations of the day and the official residence of Sheikh Saeed Al 

Maktoum, the father of the late Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the architect of modern Dubai, and 

the grandfather of the present Ruler, Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum. 

DATE: Monday 21 April 

TIME: 14.30 – 18.30 

31


Arabian Treasures 

Local Experience 

Clarify your doubts regarding the religion, and discover some very fascinating facts! Get a glimpse of the 

typical Arab lifestyle as guest in a prestigious Dubai neighbourhood home. The lady of the house will open 

her home and even display such personal items as the local dresses with the classic Arabian matrimonial 

jewellery demonstrating Dubai’s passion for gold. 

Limited to 30 participants only (on a first-come, first-served basis) 

DATE: Tuesday 22 April 

TIME: 9.30 – 13.30 


32



Dubai Shopping 

No visit to Dubai is complete without a ‘shopping’ excursion. This shuttle service will drop participants 

off at the doorstep of some of Dubai’s most popular modern shopping malls where you can shop in 

air-conditioned comfort. 

Limited to 30 participants only (on a first-come, first-served basis) 

DATE: Tuesday 22 April 

TIME: 9.30 – 13.30 


33

Profiles 

HH Sh e i k h Mo h a m m e d b i n Ra s h i d Al Ma k t o u m 35 

HH Sh e i k h Ah m e d b i n Sa e e d Al Ma k t o u m 36 

Ho s t 37 

Pat r o n s 37 

Gov e r n m e n t Le a d e r s 41 

In d u s t ry Le a d e r s 44 

34


Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and the Ruler of Dubai 

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35

Profiles 


PATRON 

36 


President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, 

and Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group 

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum is President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, 

Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group. 

The Emirates Group includes Emirates Airline and Dnata, the sole ground handling agency at 

Dubai International Airport and the biggest travel agency in the Middle East. 

The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority is a governing body which overseas the activities of the Dubai International Airport, 

Dubai Cargo Village, Dubai Duty Free, Dubai International Hotel and Dubai Aviation Club. He is also the Chairman 

of The Dubai Airport Free Zone Authority, Chairman of the Supreme Committee of the Dubai Shopping Festival and 

Dubai Summer Surprises, Director of Dubai Golf and Chairman of Alliance Insurance Co., Dubai International Marine 

Club, the British University in Dubai and Dubai Power and Energy Committee. 

Sheikh Ahmed belongs to the generation of young and influential Emiratis who are building the bridge between Dubai’s 

traditional past and its future in the century ahead. 

The younger brother of the late ruler of Dubai, HH Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Sheikh Ahmed embarked 

on his journey in the aviation industry in 1985 when he was appointed as the President of Dubai Civil Aviation and 

became Chairman of Emirates Airline on the company’s establishment. 

His vision from the outset was to transform Dubai into a major aviation hub. In pursuit of this goal, he has made it his 

mission incessantly to promote Dubai worldwide as a sophisticated, cosmopolitan city, and a preferred place for business 

and leisure. 

TO BE EDITED 

In early 2003, Sheikh Ahmed was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Dubai Executive Council. Headed by HH 

General Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Minister of Defence UAE, the 

council is responsible for formulating strategies and policies for Dubai. 

Sheikh Ahmed’s efforts have been recognized by several organisations. Among recent accolades, he was named one of 

the top tourism personalities in 2003, 2004 and 2005 by Focus, a major German business magazine. He was also declared 

Middle East Person of the Year in 2001 by Travel Agent magazine, for his outstanding achievements in promoting Dubai 

as the gateway to the Middle East; and most recently, he was presented with “Aviation Entrepreneur of the Year 2007” 

by Airport Journal. 

Under his leadership, Emirates Airline has grown dramatically since its launch in 1985 as a regional carrier with two 

leased aircraft and three destinations. 

With 115 aircraft in its fleet, flying to 100 destinations in 62 countries on six continents, Emirates in its latest financial 

year 2006-07 transported 17.5 million passengers. 

The airline has outstanding orders for aircraft worth US $60 billion, which will increase its fleet to a projected 150-plus 

within the next decade. Emirates has been profitable every year of its existence except the second, operating without 

state subsidies and in competition with more than 100 other airlines serving Dubai under the open-skies policy of its 

government. 

Sheikh Ahmed was born in a traditional Arab fort in Shindagha, an area of Dubai located between Dubai's Creek and 

the sea. After attending school in Dubai, he studied in England and went on to University in the U.S. where he gained a 

Bachelors Degree from the University of Denver, Colorado. Under the guidance of the Al-Maktoum family, he spent a 

few years in practical training, getting a good grounding before his official appointment as Emirates' Chairman. 

Well-known in Dubai and abroad, Sheikh Ahmed is a hands-on executive who encourages innovation. He is regarded as 

a team player and a good listener, someone who will give the opinions of others careful consideration. Many who work 

with him also tell of his exceptional memory. 

Despite his achievements, Sheikh Ahmed also is known for his unassuming and unpretentious persona. Compliments on 

the success of the enterprises he leads are always met with attribution to the organisations’ workforces. 

"In running any organisation, the most important thing is to choose the right people to do the job. Having done that, 

the credit for what they do is theirs not mine," he has said. 

His achievements in aviation were honoured at the 1994 Farnborough Air Show in the UK, when the Royal Aeronautical 

Society, one of the industry's oldest and most respected professional associations, made him a Fellow. 

Sheikh Ahmed also is the recipient of France’s highest award –“Commandeur de l’Ordre de la Legion d’Honneur” – the 

Legion of Honour – conferred during the Dubai Air Show in December 2003. Among other achievements and merits, 

he received the honour for his role “both in the development of Dubai and in strengthening ties between France and 

the UAE, and Dubai in particular.”

Profiles 

HE Khalid bin Sulayem 

Director General 

Dubai Government Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing 

Khalid A bin Sulayem is Director General of the Department of Tourism and Commerce 

Marketing. Bin Sulayem joined the Dubai Commerce and Tourism Promotion Board upon 

its establishment in 1989, and was involved in various core operations before becoming Director of the Board 

and then CEO in 1993. 

In January 1997, the Dubai Commerce and Tourism Promotion Board became the “Department of Tourism and 

Commerce Marketing” with Bin Sulayem becoming Director General. 

During his time as Director General, Bin Sulayem has increased the network of overseas affiliated offices working 

for the DTCM (15 Representative office), throughout Europe, America , Asia, Australia , Far East and the Middle 

East . He has established the Cruise Terminal in the Port Rashid complex, and the Dubai Convention Bureau 

which has helped makes Dubai one of the leading destinations in the Convention market. 

The DTCM also designs and implements international marketing strategies and programmes aimed at promoting 

internal tourism, commerce and investment in the emirate. 

Under Bin Sulayem’s Directorship, the DTCM has received numerous prestigious awards, including; Safest 

Destination in the Middle East – World Travel Market /UK; World Leading Destination – ITB Berlin; Top 

Worldwide Conference Venue Award and; World Travel Awards for “World Leading Destination”. 

Bin Sulayem is a member of various bodies, including the Dubai Executive Council, Dubai Council for Economic 

Affairs, GCC Tourism Committee, Society of Incentive Travel Executives (Site) and the World Travel & Tourism 

Council (PATA). 


Executive Vice Chairman 


Maurice Flanagan joined BOAC (the predecessor of British Airways) in 1953 as a trainee 

following commissioned service in the Royal Air Force as navigator. He worked in a variety 

of posts world-wide and returned to the UK in 1965 as a route planning manager. He became a member of 

British Airways’ senior management in 1974. In 1978, Mr Flanagan left British Airways to become the Managing 

Director of Dnata, and of Emirates when the airline was launched in 1985 with just two leased aircraft. Today 

Emirates Airline operates 115 wide-bodied aircraft to 100 destinations and has another 242 aircraft worth US$60 

billion on order. 

Mr Flanagan was made CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2000 in recognition of his contribution 

to community relations in the UAE and services to aviation. 

Financially independent and thriving, Emirates is not subsidised in any way by its owners, other than initial 

assistance with start-up costs. The Group, which has some 35,000 staff from 145 countries, comprises of an awardwinning 

airline, an international cargo division, a full-fledged destination management and leisure division, an 

international ground handler and an airline IT developer. 

37HOST 

PATRON

Profiles 


PATRON 

HE Sultan Ahmed bin sulayem 

Chairman 

Dubai World 

His Excellency Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem is one of Dubai's leading businessmen. 

He chairs Dubai World, a holding company that manages and supervises a diversified 

portfolio of businesses and projects and contributes to Dubai’s rapid economic growth across the globe through 

several sectors, including Transport& Logistics, Urban Development, Dry Docks& Maritime and Investment and 

Financial services. 

Born in the UAE in 1955, Mr Bin Sulayem is a BS graduate in Economics – Temple University Philadelphia, 

USA. His educational background, expertise and visionary leadership spearheaded the rapid expansion of Dubai 

World’s portfolio of investments. 

Recent highlights of his long business career include: 

• Leading DP World’s purchase of the P&O group for US$6.8 billion in March 2006, propelling it into the top 

four global port operators. 

• Overseeing the rapid development of Jafza (Jebel Ali Free Zone) into an unrivalled business park and establishing 

its global arm, Jafza International. 

• Establishing Nakheel, a real estate and tourism property development firm developing iconic projects like The 

Palm and the World. 

• Establishing Istithmar, a major investment house focusing on private equity and real estate 

• Pioneering the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), a market for gold and precious metals, diamonds 

and colored stones, energy and other commodities. 

• Founding Limitless, an integrated, international real estate developer. 

Mr Bin Sulayem is also head of Dubai Maritime City; Chairman of Dubai’s Ports, Customs & Free Zone 

Corporation; Chairman of Tejari.com; He is a board Member of the Executive Council and Executive Economic 

Council, Government of Dubai; Emirates International Forum and the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and 

Industry. He is also a Member of the World Economic Forum. 

PATRON 

38 



Jumeirah Group 

In 1997, Gerald joined Jumeirah in Dubai as Managing Director. His remit was to develop 

a hospitality portfolio that would deliver a completely different experience. Jumeirah Beach 

Hotel, Wild Wadi Water Park, and Burj Al Arab quickly set the standard for the regional and international growth 

to follow. 

In January 2007, Gerald was appointed Executive Chairman of the Jumeirah Group and continues to lead its 

ambitious growth to become the most distinctive and innovative hospitality group in the world. This ambition is 

expressed by the brand as ‘Jumeirah – STAY DIFFERENT TM ’. 

Gerald spent the first 23 years of his career with Forte Hotels managing properties in the United Kingdom, 

South Africa, Ireland and the Caribbean. In 1991 he established Forte’s Middle East office in Dubai, and oversaw 

growth in the region from three to twenty hotels in six years. 

Gerald is an Honour’s Graduate of Shannon College of Hotel Management in Ireland and was awarded an 

Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration in Hospitality Management by the Johnson & Wales 

University, State of Rhode Island in the USA. He is a Member of the Executive Committee of the World 

Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and a Fellow member of the Institute of Hospitality (formerly HCIMA). In 

addition, Gerald is a Member of the Board of Directors of DIFX, a Member of the Board of Directors of Tatweer, 

a Member of the Dubai Holding Executive Committee and a Member of the Board of ENDP. Gerald also serves 

as the Chairman of the Board of Governors of The Emirates Academy.

Profiles 

chris o’donnell 

CEO 

Nakheel 

Chris O’Donnell joined Nakheel in June 2006 as Chief Executive Officer; his role directly 

oversees all company operations and developments, and plays a key role in the strategic 

direction of the company. He reports to Nakheel’s Executive Chairman. 

Chris has over 30 years’ experience in the property industry across a broad spectrum of areas, including 

construction, project management, development management, funds management and asset management. 

Before joining Nakheel, Chris spent five years as Managing Director of Investa Property Group in Australia 

where, under his leadership, the Australian Stock Exchange listed company increased its funds under management 

from A$800 million to A$6.2 billion. 

A number of transactions were conducted during this period including a hostile takeover of Principal Office 

Fund (A$1.9bn) in 2003 and the acquisition of one of the largest residential property companies in Australia, 

Clarendon Property Group Pty Limited (A$645m) in 2005. 

Chris has also held other senior executive positions with prominent Australian organisations including Lend 

Lease, Leighton and Westpac Banking Corporation. 

With a keen personal focus on sustainability and environmental issues, Chris was appointed a Director of the 

Green Building Council of Australia in 2004 and, during that year, was recognised by the NSW Government 

Department of Energy Utilities and Sustainability by being named as the Green Globe Ambassador. 

joe sita 

CEO 

Nakheel Hotels 

Joe Sita is the chief executive of Nakheel Hotels and in his role directly overseas all company 

operations and developments and plays a key role in the strategic direction of the company. 

Mr Sita continued from his role as chief executive of Istithmar Hotels FZE when it was consolidated by Dubai 

World in 2007 to create a fully integrated hotel investment company. 

Nakheel Hotels has a portfolio with a total investment value of approximately US $3 billion. This includes 

significant investments in Kerzner Group, the luxury resort brand; IHI plc, the franchise for easyHotels in the 

Middle East, Levant, North Africa, India and Pakistan; and ownership of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the 

Knickerbocker Hotel on Times Square, and the W Hotel Union Square,(all in New York City) and the Hotel 

Washington in Washington DC. It also has investments in hotels in Thailand, including the development of a W 

hotel in Bangkok and a W Retreat and Residences in Koh Samui, and an investment in a fund that is rolling out 

30 Tune hotels in South East Asia over the next few years. 

Joe Sita has more than 28 years experience in the hospitality industry, holding senior executive positions with a 

range of organisations including Carlson Hotels, Accor and Southern Pacific Hotel Corporation. 

Mr Sita sits on the board of Kerzner International Ltd, IHI plc, Raimon Land and a number of other companies 

in which Nakheel Hotels has interests. 

39PATRON

Profiles 


PATRON 

Manal shaHeen 

Director – Sales, Marketing and Customer Service 

Nakheel 

Manal Shaheen was appointed Director – Sales, Marketing and Customer Service at Nakheel 

in August 2006, and oversees all sales and customer service functions while providing 

direction for Nakheel’s marketing efforts. 

Manal has played an integral role in the growth of Nakheel, having been with the company since 2003, 

undertaking a number of different roles before taking up her current position. She has been instrumental in 

Nakheel’s continued drive to become a global brand, in the organisation’s unrivalled sales success and in its 

increased customer service focus. 

Manal has also been closely involved with setting up Forsa, a unique investment vehicle for women. Forsa, 

literally meaning “Opportunity” in Arabic, offers women investors the opportunity to make successful high 

growth investment and supports female entrepreneurs in setting up and managing new ventures. Manal is Vice 

Chairperson of Forsa; she is also Vice Chairperson of Board for Dubai Women Establishment. 

In 2007 Manal won the Middle East Business woman of the year, awarded by the Middle East Excellence Awards 

Institute. The institute’s members are comprised of business leaders, journalists, and academics. 

40

Profiles 

HH PRINCE SULTAN BIN SALMAN BIN ABDULAZIZ 

Secretary General of the Supreme Commission for Tourism 

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 

Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Secretary General of the Supreme Commission 

for Tourism in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia since the establishment of the Commission in 

2000, was born in Riyadh on the 27th of June, 1956. 

Masters Degree in Social and Political Science, the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs – Syracuse 

University, USA 1999. 

In 1982 he joined the Ministry of Information as Researcher for the Department of International Information. 

In 1984 he served as Deputy Director of the Saudi Media Committee for the Los Angeles Olympics, and was 

appointed the same year as Acting Director of the Department of Advertising at the Ministry. 

In 1985 Prince Sultan joined the crew of the Space Shuttle Discovery as Payload Specialist on its Mission STS 

51G. Shortly afterwards, he joined the Royal Saudi Air Force, from which he retired in 1996 with the rank of 

Colonel. 

Prince Sultan is active in many charitable and humanitarian organizations, as well as being an avid pilot. 

HE Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan 

Chairman 

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority 

Born in the United Arab Emirates in 1970, Sheikh Sultan is qualified as an architect 

engineer from the UAE University. He continued his studies in the USA, gaining his MA 

in Economic Studies, with a major in International Relations, from Tufts University. 

Sheikh Sultan is a member of the Abu Dhabi ruling family and was appointed Chairman of the Abu Dhabi 

Tourism Authority (ADTA) on its establishment in September 2004. He is the Chairman of Abu Dhabi Culture 

and Heritage Authority (ADACH). 

In Al Ain, the capital of the Eastern Region, Sheikh Sultan is also Under Secretary at the Court of the Ruler’s 

Representative for the region. He was also Chairman of the Al Ain Economic Development and Tourism 

Promotion Authority. 

Sheikh Sultan holds a number of official positions including Chairman of Tourism Development & Investment 

Company (TDIC), Chairman of Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company (ADNEC). He is also a Board 

Member of the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency and Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE. He 

recently became a member of the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi Emirate. 

In his role as Chairman of TDIC, Sheikh Sultan has been personally involved in the direction of the transformation 

of Saadiyat Island and the emergence of its now world-renowned Cultural District – which will be home to the 

Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. 

Sheikh Sultan is also patron of the Middle East Council of the Urban Land Institute – the international, nonprofit 

research and educational organisation catering to professionals in land use and real estate development. 

41GOVERNMENT

Profiles 


GOVERNMENT 

HE Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi 

Director General 

Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority 

Mubarak Al Muhairi completed his studies in Civil Engineering at the UAE (United 

Arab Emirates) University before going on to earn his master’s degree in Engineering 

Management at Portland State University in the USA. 

He worked for several years in real estate investment with the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, ADIA. 

He was then appointed Director General of Al Ain Economic Development & Tourism Promotion Authority, 

a government body responsible for the marketing and development of the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi 

Emirate. 

Mr Al Muhairi was appointed Director General of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, ADTA on its creation 

in September 2004. Working closely with the Authorityʹs Chairman, HE Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al 

Nahyan, he has wide-ranging responsibilities for the promotion and development of the emirate’s tourism 

sector. 

Mr Al Muhairi holds various board member positions with authorities such as Abu Dhabi Authority for 

Culture and Heritage (ADACH), Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) and Abu Dhabi Media 

Company (ADMC). 

The creation in April 2005 of the ‘Tourism Development and Investment Company’, TDIC, saw Mr Al 

Muhairi take on the additional role as Managing Director, where he oversees the creation of many prestigious 

Abu Dhabi development projects such as Saadiyat Island which feature the Cultural District, the world largest 

cluster of cultural institutions containing the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi museums. 

The Honourable Onkokame Kitso Mokaila 

Minister for Environment, Wildlife and Tourism 

Botswana 

Hon Onkokame Kitso Mokaila became Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism 

of the Republic of Botswana on November 9th, 2004. As the Minister for this portfolio, 

he provides political and executive leadership to the Ministry and advises the Head of State on Environment 

and Tourism issues. Most recently he was nominated as the Best African Tourism Minister by AI Africa 

Tourism Magazine 

Hon Mokaila previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of several High-Tech Multi-National Companies 

operating in Botswana, among others; Hyundai, Unisys Group and International Computers Limited.Over 

the last ten years, he was also Board Chairman for several companies amongst them, a Government agency 

responsible for recommending to government, changes in statutory and administrative framework regarding 

the investment and export climate of Botswana. He has a broad range of board-room experience. 

Minister Mokaila earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Osmania 

University in India and a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from Swaziland College of Technology. 

42

Profiles 

The Honourable Predrag Nenezić 

Minister of Tourism & Environment 

Montenegro 

Predrag Nenezić was born in 1970 in Cetinje, the old royal capital of Montenegro. He 

was raised in the historic and world-renowned Bay of Kotor on the Montenegrin coast. 

When his father was appointed foreign representative of the Montenegrin Bank, he moved with his parents 

to Frankfurt, Germany, where he attended primary and secondary school. 

Upon his return to Montenegro, at the age of seventeen, he started working in tourism as a tourist guide. 

In 1994, Mr Nenezić received a degree from the Faculty of Economics of the University of Montenegro. 

Subsequently, he gained proficiency in Corporate Finance, Marketing and Tourism in the United Kingdom, 

Germany, and the United States of America. 

In 1995, he joined the Agency for Economic Restructuring and was promoted Manager of the Privatization 

Department of the Government Development Fund. In 1999, he was appointed Advisor to the Prime 

Minister for International Economic Affairs. 

In 2001, Mr Nenezić joined the Government as Minister of Tourism where he continues to serve in a new 

expanded function as Minister of Tourism and Environment. Mr Nenezić has chaired the Tender Commission 

for Privatization of Hotel and Tourism Assets since 2002. He has also served on the Board of Montenegro 

Airlines, and as Chairman of the Board of the Public Coastal Area Management Company. He has twice been 

elected as a member of the National Parliament. 

Mr Nenezić is fluent in English and German. He is currently pursuing post graduate studies in management 

and international relations. 

Qiwei Shao 

Chairman 

China National Tourism Administration 

From March 1991 to May 1992, Mr Shao, a Shanghai native, was Deputy Director 

General and Deputy Secretary for the Communist Party Leadership Group in Yunnan 

Provincial Foreign Affairs Office. 

From May 1992 to September 1994, Mr Shao was Deputy Secretary for the Communist Party of China’s 

Kunming Municipal Committee, Secretary for Kunming Municipal Politics and Law Committee as well as 

Director General of the Administrative Commission. During this time, he was also Secretary of the Working 

Committee for Kunming’s High-Tech Development Zone, Yunnan Province. 

In 1998, after working as Assistant to the Governor of Yunnan Province, Mr Shao became Vice Governor of 

Yunnan Province and remained in this position until 2005. 

Since March 2005, Mr Shao has held the post of Chairman of the China National Tourism Administration. 

43GOVERNMENT

Profiles 


INDUSTRY 

Eric C Anderson 

President and CEO 

Space Adventures, Ltd 

Eric Anderson is one of the leading entrepreneurs in the space industry. He has led the 

development of commercial human spaceflight and the space tourism industry since 

its inception, and is a true astropreneur (as coined by Wired magazine). Mr Anderson co-founded Space 

Adventures, Ltd in 1998 with several former astronauts and leading visionaries from the aerospace, adventure 

travel and entertainment industries. 

Since founding, and having served as President and CEO of Space Adventures, Mr Anderson has led the 

world’s premier space tourism company through several successful years and has sold close to $200 million 

(USD) in spaceflights, including those taken by the first and only five tourists who have actually flown to 

space: Dennis Tito, Mark Shuttleworth, Greg Olsen, Anousheh Ansari and Charles Simonyi. 

He has developed and financed over $500 million (USD) in new projects for Space Adventures, including 

two global spaceports and the first private voyage to the moon, set to launch in 2012. 

As an outspoken advocate of commercial space transportation, private space exploration and space tourism, Mr 

Anderson’s vision is to open the space frontier to all private citizens which will then enable the development 

of space resources for the benefit of humanity. 


President & CEO 

World Travel & Tourism Council 

Born in Strasbourg in May 1942, Jean-Claude Baumgarten graduated from the French 

business school, Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales. 

He joined Air France in 1970 and was appointed Regional Manager for West Japan in 1974. He later became 

Regional Manager for Thailand and Burma, as well as Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia and then General 

Manager for Japan in 1982. He was also Chairman of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

In September 1986, Jean-Claude became Vice President and General Manager for the United States. In June 

1990 he was appointed Vice President for the Americas and Asia. 

In November 1993, Jean-Claude was promoted to Executive Vice President of Commercial Operations and 

Member of the Executive and Strategic Committee. In February 1996 he became Executive Vice President 

of Corporate, International & Industrial Affairs. From December 1997 until July 1998, prior to leaving Air 

France, Jean-Claude held the position of advisor to the Chairman. 

In October 1999, he was appointed President of the World Travel & Tourism Council. 

Jean-Claude Baumgarten is a Chevalier dans l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur. He is also an Officier de 

l’Ordre National du Merite and a Chevalier des Arts et Lettres. He is advisor in Foreign Trade to both the French 

Government and the Chairman of the Tourism Commission. He was presented with the Gold Medal for 

Tourism by Turismo do Algarve in 2003. 

44

Profiles 

Philippe Bourguignon 

Vice-Chairman, Revolution Places LLC 

CEO, Revolution Places Development 

Philippe Bourguignon graduated with a Master in Economics from the University of 

Aix-en-Provence in 1971. He then received a postgraduate diploma in Business 

Administration at the Institut d’Administration des Entreprises in Paris. 

Between 1971 and 1974 Mr Bourguignon set up several vacation hotels in Africa and the West Indies with 

Systembau, Munich – Germany. He spent the next fourteen years with the Accor Group, where he was 

Vice-President for Development, Asia & the Middle East from 1974-1976. In 1978 he became Executive 

Vice-President for North America and in 1984 he was promoted to President of Accor Asia Pacific. 

In 1988 Mr Bourguignon joined the Disney Development Co, Los Angeles, as Executive Vice President 

and was promoted to Chairman and CEO in 1992 for Euro Disney as well as Executive Vice-President 

for the Walt Disney Company Europe. During this time he led a corporate restructuring plan, rescheduled 

corporate debt, redirected marketing strategies, and reallocated management resources at Euro Disney. 

From 1997 to 2003 Philippe Bourguignon served as Chairman and CEO of Club Méditerranée. He has also 

held the position of Co-Chief Executive Officer at the World Economic Forum 2004. 

Mr Bourguignon is currently Vice-Chairman of Revolution Places and CEO of Revolution Places 

Development, innovative, market-leading new companies dedicated to building world-class branded lifestyle 

destination resorts based on innovative products and breakthrough business models and incorporating 

sustainable development principles and expertise. 

Mr Bourguignon now serves as a Board Member at eBay, Dexia BIL and Palais de Tokyo (the Center for 

Contemporary Art – Paris). He is a member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism 

Council. In 2005 he published his autobiography Hop! 

INDUSTRY 

Costas Christ 

Chairman of the Judges 

Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 

Costas Christ is the Global Travel Editor and "World Class" columnist for National 

Geographic Adventure magazine and serves as the Chairman of Judges for the WTTC 

Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, which recognize leading examples from around the world of environmentally 

and socially responsible travel. He is a recognized international expert on sustainable tourism and his work 

and travels have taken him to more than 100 countries. 

He is a founding member and former Chairman of the Board of The International Ecotourism Society and 

serves as Chairman of the Adventures in Travel Expo Conferences held in New York, Chicago, Washington 

DC and Los Angeles. He is also an Executive Board Member of Sustainable Travel International, in addition 

to serving on other international tourism organization committees and boards. 

In addition to his monthly travel column, Costas' articles and essays on travel and tourism have appeared in 

numerous publications, including the New York Times, International Herald Tribune and Sunday Times 

of London. 

He has appeared numerous times on television and radio, including Travel Channel, Good Morning America, 

CNN, BBC, National Public Radio, ABC, CBS, NBC, among others, to talk about Travel & Tourism. He 

is a featured keynote speaker at many international tourism conferences. 

45

Profiles 


INDUSTRY 

Jeff Clarke 

Chief Executive Officer and President 

Travelport 

Jeff Clarke is Chief Executive Officer and President of Travelport and serves as a 

Director on the Travelport Board of Directors, appointed in May 2006. He also serves as 

Chairman of the Board of Directors of Orbitz Worldwide. 

Mr Clarke has 21 years of strategic, operational and financial experience with leading high-technology firms. 

Prior to Travelport, Mr. Clarke was Chief Operating Officer for CA (formerly Computer Associates). Before 

joining CA, he was Executive Vice President, Global Operations for Hewlett-Packard Company (HP), where 

he was responsible for the largest global supply chain and procurement operations in the technology industry. 

As Executive Vice President, Merger Integration, Mr. Clarke played a key role in integrating the operations, 

financials and cultures of HP and Compaq Computer Corporation following the $19 billion merger of the 

two companies. He is widely credited with leading the team, which identified and captured more than $3.5 

billion in savings. 

Mr Clarke began his career with Digital Equipment Corporation in 1985. He joined Compaq in 1998 

following its acquisition of Digital and served in various positions of increasing responsibility in strategic 

finance before being appointed Compaq’s Chief Financial Officer in 2001. 

DR ALEX CRISTOU 

Managing Partner 

Accenture 

Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing 

company, with net revenues of US$19.70 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug 31, 

2007. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become 

high-performance businesses and governments. With approximately 175,000 people in 49 countries, deep 

industry and business process expertise, broad global resources and a proven track record, Accenture can 

mobilize the right people, skills and technologies to help clients improve their performance. Its home page 

is www.accenture.com. 

Alex Christou is a Managing Partner in Accenture’s Global Transportation & Travel Services Operating Unit 

and is based at the London office. He is a member of the Board of Accenture in UK & Ireland and leads 

Accenture’s Travel, Consumer, Retail, Life Sciences and Construction industries. During his 20 year career 

with Accenture he has primarily worked with clients in the tour operator, transportation, airline, hotel and 

construction industries assisting in major transformational programmes in the front and back office. Alex has 

led Accenture’s relationship with WTTC for the past 5 years. 

Alex obtained a First Class Honours degree in Mathematics from Imperial College, London in June 1984, 

and Doctorate in Mathematical Physics from Trinity College, Oxford in February 1987. He was elected as a 

Research Fellow at St John’s College, Oxford prior to joining Accenture in July 1987. 

Christopher Dickey 

Paris Bureau Chief and Middle East Regional Editor 

Newsweek 

46 

A distinguished journalist and author, Christopher Dickey currently serves as Newsweek’s 

Paris Bureau Chief and Middle East Regional Editor. Previously he worked for The 

Washington Post as Cairo Bureau Chief and Central America Bureau Chief. Dickey’s Shadowland column 

about counter-terrorism, espionage and the Middle East, appears weekly on Newsweek.com. 

Dickey’s books include With the Contras: A Reporter in the Wilds of Nicaragua (1986); Expats: Travels 

in Arabia from Tripoli to Tehran (1990); Innocent Blood: A Novel (1997), and Summer of Deliverance:

Profiles 

A Memoir of Father and Son (1998). His most recent novel, The Sleeper, was published by Simon & 

Schuster in September 2004. The New York Times called it “a first-rate thriller.” 

Dickey has also written for Foreign Affairs, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, Wired, Rolling Stone, The 

New York Review of Books, The New York Times Book Review, and The New Republic, among other 

publications. He is a frequent commentator on CNN, MSNBC and National Public Radio, as well as other 

television and radio networks. 

Edouard Ettedgui 

Group Chief Executive 

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group 

Edouard Ettedgui joined Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group as Chief Executive in 1998. 

Under his leadership, the Group’s portfolio has increased from 11 to 39 hotels worldwide 

currently, and is on track to being widely recognised as the best luxury hotel group in the world, operating 

over 10,000 rooms. 

The Group is represented in some of the world’s most desirable and strategic locations including dynamic 

developments in key business and resort destinations in Asia, Europe and the Americas. 

Mr Ettedgui has extensive business development and financial experience. He is a French national, with a 

degree from ESSEC in Paris. His early career was with Philips International, becoming a Director for Philips’ 

operations in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Peru and Italy. 

In 1990, he joined BAT Industries PLC in London, becoming Group Finance Controller in 1993, and in 

1996 he joined the board of the newly-created British American Tobacco Holdings as Business Development 

Director. 

In August 1996, he joined Dairy Farm International Holdings Limited in Asia as Group Finance Director, 

remaining there until moving to Mandarin Oriental. 

He is a member of the World Travel & Tourism Council Executive Committee and an Advisor of External 

Trade in Hong Kong by the French Government. 

INDUSTRY 

Habib Fekih 

President 

Airbus Middle East 

Habib Fekih heads Airbus Middle East subsidiary, established in 2006, the fourth such 

subsidiary Airbus has established following those based in the United States, China and 

Japan. 

Fekih is in charge of GCC countries as well as Yemen, Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, 

Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. 

With more than 30 years of aviation experience – 20 of them at Airbus – Fekih is a veteran in his field and 

has played a major role in developing and expanding the regional aviation industry. 

He began his professional career in 1976 with Tunis Air, where he held various positions over a period of 

ten years. In May 1986 he joined Airbus as sales director for North Africa, becoming Middle East sales vicepresident 

two years later. 

In July 1999, Fekih was promoted to deputy senior vice-president for business development then to senior 

vice-president in July 2000. In June 2001, he was appointed CEO of TASC. 

Habib Fekih was born in Mezdour, Tunisia, in April 1952. After graduating from the Ecole Nationale 

Superieure des Telecommunications in Paris, he obtained a degree in Avionics from the Ecole Nationale 

Superieure de L’Aeronautique et de L’Espace in Toulouse. 

47

Profiles 


INDUSTRY 

Nick Fry 


Honda Racing F1 Team 

Nick Fry joined the Ford Motor Company in 1978 after gaining a degree in Economics 

from the University of Wales. Over the next 11 years he held a variety of positions 

within Ford and was appointed Director of Operations for Aston Martin after Ford acquired more than 50% 

of Aston Martin Lagonda Limited in 1992. 

Fry was Brand Manager for Large Cars at Ford Europe for two years, with responsibility for developing the 

Mondeo brand and he helped develop the popular ‘ST’ sport models. In his final two years with Ford, Fry 

was Product Planning and Business Director for Europe, based in Cologne, Germany. 

In January 2001, Fry became Prodrive Automotive Technology Managing Director, responsible for leading 

Prodrive’s expansion into outsourced engineering services. Within four months of his appointment, major 

steps had been taken to expand the company nationally and internationally with the acquisition of the 

Tickford Group. During his time there, he became Group Managing Director overseeing the company’s 

engineering and racing operations. 

Fry joined the British American Racing (BAR) Formula One team at the start of 2002, under the 

management agreement with Prodrive, and in 2003 was appointed Managing Director. Following Honda 

Motor Company’s acquisition of BAR at the end of 2005, Fry became Chief Executive Officer for the newly 

re-named Honda Racing F1 Team. 

Ed Gilligan 

Vice Chairman 

American Express Company 

Edward P Gilligan is vice chairman of American Express Company, a position he 

assumed in June 2007. He is responsible for the company’s global business-to-business 

group, which includes: the merchant services business, the network services business, the commercial card and 

services business, and business travel. 

He is a member of the Operating Committee, which is responsible for developing the strategic direction for 

American Express and determining policies affecting the company overall. 

Ed joined American Express in 1980 as a temporary employee while studying for his BS in Economics and 

Management at New York University. He began his full time service with the company in 1982. 

He was named a vice president of Business Travel in March 1988. He went on to become a senior vice 

president of Commercial Card and Business Travel for the Eastern Region of the United States in June 1992. 

He assumed the role of business unit president for Commercial Card and Business Travel for the United 

States in June 1995. In June 2002, Ed was named one of two group presidents at the company, overseeing 

the international consumer card business and the global portfolio of payment and travel services offered to 

corporate clients worldwide. 

Ed lives in London with his wife Lisa and four children. 

48

Profiles 

Nik Gowing 

Main Presenter 

BBC World 

Since February 1996, Nik Gowing has been the main presenter on BBC World, the 

BBC’s 24-hour international television news and information channel. He also fronts 

BBC World’s flagship hour-long news programme World News Today at 1600 GMT. 

Nik has been a main anchor for much of BBC World’s coverage of major international crises including 

Kosovo in 1999, and the Iraq war in 2003. He was on air for six hours shortly after the Twin Towers were 

hit in New York City on 11 September 2001. He also fronted coverage of the unfolding drama of Diana, 

Princess of Wales’ accident and made the announcement of her death to a global audience estimated at half 

a billion. 

In addition, Nik anchors special location coverage of major international events, and chairs BBC World 

debates at the World Economic Forum in Davos and the annual Nobel Awards in Stockholm. 

Before joining the BBC, Nik was a foreign affairs specialist and presenter at ITN for 18 years. From 1989 

to 1996 he was diplomatic editor at Channel Four News, where his reporting from Bosnia was part of the 

Channel Four News portfolio which won the BAFTA ‘Best News Coverage’ award in 1996. 

INDUSTRY 

Peter Greenberg 

Travel Editor 

NBC Today Show 

Peter Greenberg is the nation’s pre-eminent expert on travel and travel-related issues. 

Best known as the Travel Editor for NBC’s Today show, MSNBC and CNBC, the 

Emmy award-winning writer and producer has more than 11 million miles of direct experience under his 

belt, covering thousands of stories in hundreds of countries around the globe. 

Peter is also author of The New York Times’ best-selling book series, The Travel Detective, which reveals 

secrets the airline, hotel, cruise and rental car industries don’t want consumers to know. The books provide 

guidance on becoming a proactive traveler and navigating the travel industry maze. 

An expert in aviation safety and security, Peter is creator and co-executive producer of Secrets of the Black 

Box, a special series for the History Channel which investigates the world’s most tragic aviation disasters. His 

series, The Royal Tour, makes history with one-on-one journeys through various countries with their Heads 

of State, including the King of Jordan, the Prime Minister of New Zealand and the President of Peru, among 

others. 

Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio can be heard on more than 135 stations across the country and XM 

satellite nationwide. Peter is also a contributing editor for America Online (AOL) and Men’s Health and a 

regular contributor to Forbes and The New Yorker. 

His latest book, The Complete Travel Detective Bible, published by Rodale, is now available. 

49

Profiles 


INDUSTRY 

Arthur de Haast 

Global CEO 

Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels 

Arthur de Haast is the Global Chief Executive Officer of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, 

responsible for a team of 236 hotel experts located in 29 local offices worldwide. 

In 2007 his global team closed 259 hotel transactions; representing a combined value of US$13.9 billion in 

84 cities and worked on a further 660 assignments in over 300 cities. 

Mr de Haast has over 20 years of experience within the global hotel market. 

A small sample of global assignments includes: 

• The phased strategic asset disposal for InterContinental Hotels worth nearly US$3billion 

• ANA’s exit from the hotel business whereby an attractive joint venture with a leading hotel brand operator 

was created, improving the value of the assets significantly. The consequent sale of the hotel assets for 

$2.3billion, marked Asia’s highest ever real estate transaction. 

• Colony Capital and Kingdom Holdings’ joint rationalisation of the Raffles, Swisshotels and Fairmont hotels 

across Mexico, South East Asia, the Caribbean, Australia and Europe. 

Mr de Haast has also worked with some of the largest and most active hotel investors, including the Blackstone 

Group, Morgan Stanley Real Estate Fund, Istithmar, Starwood Hotels and Resorts and others. 

He is a regular commentator on the global hotel investment market, speaking at major conferences and is 

quoted in the world’s leading business and financial publications. 

Stephen P Holmes 

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 

Wyndham Worldwide 

Stephen P Holmes is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Wyndham Worldwide 

(NYSE:WYN). With more than 20 brands and 2007 revenues of over $4 billion, 

Wyndham is one of the world’s largest hospitality companies. It employs approximately 30,000 people and 

operates in more than 100 countries. 

Prior to the formation of Wyndham Worldwide in 2006, Mr Holmes was Vice Chairman and a member of the 

Board of Directors of Cendant Corporation, which ranked 114 on Fortune’s 2006 “500 List,” and Chairman 

and Chief Executive Officer of Cendant’s Travel Content Division. 

From 1990 to 1996, Mr Holmes was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of HFS 

Incorporated. During his tenure as CFO at HFS, the company acquired more than 20 businesses, grew to 

a market capitalization in excess of $20 billion and was one of the fastest growing stocks on the New York 

Stock Exchange. 

In addition to his position at Wyndham Worldwide, Mr Holmes serves on the Executive Committees of the 

World Travel and Tourism Council and the Travel Business Roundtable. He was inducted into the Travel 

Industry Hall of Fame in October 2007. 

50

Profiles 

GEOFFREY JW KENT 

Chairman, World Travel & Tourism Council 

Chairman and CEO, Abercrombie & Kent 

As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Abercrombie & Kent Group of 

Companies, Geoffrey Kent brings a truly extraordinary lifetime of experience, innovation 

and genuine passion to the world’s most exclusive luxury adventure travel corporation. Under the direction 

of Geoffrey Kent, Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) offers 350 tours and expeditions in more than 100 countries 

across seven continents. 

Geoffrey was born in 1942 while his parents, Colonel John and Valerie Kent, were on safari in Northern 

Rhodesia (now Zambia). At the age of 16, Kent undertook a solitary exploration of the African continent by 

motorbike between Kenya and Cape Town that would in many ways define the course of his life. 

Back in Kenya after service in the British Army, Kent joined his parents in founding Abercrombie & Kent as 

a luxury safari operation. By 1967, the elder Kent retired and the younger son moved into turning A&K into 

the internationally renowned luxury travel powerhouse that it is today. 

Together with Jorie Butler Kent, Geoffrey founded the Friends of Conservation, of which HRH The Prince 

of Wales is the Patron. 

In between these expeditions and forays, Geoffrey became a world-known polo player. He is a founder of 

Windsor, Vero Beach, one of Florida’s most exclusive real estate developments. He is also President of the 

Prince of Wales Foundation in the US. Kent is a founding Member of the World Travel & Tourism Council 

and the current WTTC Chairman. 

INDUSTRY 

Dara Khosrowshahi 

President & Chief Executive Officer 

Expedia, Inc 

Dara Khosrowshahi became CEO of Expedia, Inc when it spun off from IAC/ 

InterActiveCorp (IAC) in August 2005. Prior to that, he was acting CEO of the travel 

portfolio within IAC from December 2004. 

Previously, Khosrowshahi had served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of IAC/ 

InterActiveCorp since January 2002. In this capacity, he oversaw all financial matters of IAC, served in IAC’s 

Office of the Chairman, and was directly involved in the expansion of IAC’s travel portfolio through various 

acquisitions. 

Khosrowshahi was IAC’s Executive Vice President of operations and strategic planning from July 2000 

to January 2002. From August 1999 to July 2000, Khosrowshahi served as president of USA Networks 

Interactive, a division of IAC. In this capacity he oversaw management, operations, and strategic planning of 

the interactive services division. 

Khosrowshahi joined IAC (then USA Networks) in 1998 as Vice President of strategic planning. He was 

promoted to Senior Vice President in May 1999. Prior to joining IAC, Khosrowshahi worked at Allen & 

Company LLC from 1991 to 1998, where he served as Vice President from 1995 to 1998. 

Khosrowshahi received a BA in engineering from Brown University in 1991. 

51

Profiles 


INDUSTRY 

Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio 

Chairman 

Silversea Cruises 

Mr Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio was born in Rome in 1953. His activity has been 

within the Lefebvre d’Ovidio family Trust investment portfolio. He began working in 

the family’s businesses after completing his university studies, assuming non executive roles. 

Since 2001 Manfredi has held the position of Director and Chairman of Silversea Cruises Group of companies. 

The Company has 5 existing vessels, a sixth in construction for delivery. 

Manfredi manages Elle Group and Elle Services, both Monaco based companies which manage the assets 

and companies belonging to the Lefebvre d’Ovidio investment portfolio, which encompasses various fields, 

including: travel; cruising; transport; real estate; financial investments and; venture capital projects. 

Manfredi is a member of the World Economic Forum (WEF) as Industry associate (partner) governor; 

member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism (WTTC); Board member of Cruise Lines 

International Association (CLIA); member of the Aspen Institute (Italy); member of the Deans International 

Council of the Harris School of Public Policy, University of Chicago; member of the Committee of Skuld; 

member of FAI and; member of Foundation Maruzza Lefebvre d’Ovidio Onlus, INC. Manfredi is also 

Deputy Chairman of Chambre Monégasque du shipping and member benefactor of the Amis du Nouveau Musée 

National de Monaco. 

Manfredi was awarded the Chevalier de l’Ordre de Saint-Charles et des Grimaldi by HH Prince Albert of Monaco 

and is an Honorary citizen of the city of Saint-Jean Cap-Ferrat (France). 

JABU MABUZA 

Chairman, South Africa Tourism 

Group Chief Executive, Tsogo Sun Holdings Ltd and Southern Sun Hotels 

Jabulane (Jabu) Mabuza is Group Chief Executive of Tsogo Sun Holdings (Pty) Ltd. 

Jabu has held directorships for various companies including: Amalgamated Retails Ltd, 

Boymans Ltd; Marconi Communications; Amalgamated Banks of Southern Africa (ABSA) and; African 

Renaissance Holdings (ARH). 

Jabu served as Chairman of Mpumalanga Development Corporation, Future Bank Ltd, and was Chief 

Executive of the South African Black Taxi Association (SABTA) and Chief Executive of the Foundation for 

African Business and Consumer Services (FABCOS). Jabu was Chairman of the Marketing Federation of 

Southern Africa (MFSA). 

Jabu currently holds directorships for a number of companies within the Tsogo Sun Group as well as Southern 

Sun Hotels (Pty) Ltd. He is also director of Hosken Consolidated Investments Limited (HCI), New Seasons 

Investments (Pty) Ltd (NSI), Southern Africa PGA Tour (Pty) Ltd. Jabu is Chairman of the Casino Association 

of South Africa (CASA), as well as the Chairman of the South African Tourism Board. 

Jabu has presented several papers around the world on Black Economic Empowerment Investment in South 

Africa, Small and Medium Enterprise Development and the Role of Business in Transition. 

Jabu was the recipient of the 2004 Impumelelo Top 300 Empowerment Awards as a Top Black Business 

Personality of the Year. 

52

Profiles 

JW Marriott Jr 

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer 

Marriott International, Inc 

JW Marriott, Jr is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Marriott International, Inc, 

one of the world’s largest accommodation companies. His leadership spans more than 

50 years, and he has taken Marriott from a family restaurant business to a global accommodation company 

with approximately 3,000 properties in 68 countries and territories. 

Known throughout the industry for his hands-on management style, Mr Marriott has built a highly regarded 

culture that emphasises the importance of Marriott’s people and recognises the value they bring to the 

organization. Today, approximately 151,000 Marriott associates serve guests throughout the world. 

Regarded as an innovator, Mr Marriott began shifting the company’s business model in the late 1970s from 

hotel ownership to property management and franchising. His strategic decision allowed the company to 

accelerate its growth and broaden its leadership position. 

Mr Marriott has also worked to compile a family of 18 lodging brands that range from limited service to 

luxury hotels and resorts. Today, the company manages and franchises hotels and resorts under the Marriott, JW 

Marriott, Renaissance, Bulgari, The Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard, Residence Inn, SpringHill Suites, TownePlace 

Suites, and Fairfield Inn brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott 

Vacation Club International, The Ritz-Carlton Club, Grand Residences by Marriott, and Horizons brands; 

operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay 

division, operates conference centres and; manages golf courses. 

INDUSTRY 

Mahmud Jan Mohamed 

Managing Director, Serena Hotels Africa and Head of Tourism Department for the 

Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development 

Mahmud Jan Mohamed is the Managing Director for Serena Hotels Africa and also 

heads the Tourism Department for the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development 

from his base in Nairobi. 

In this capacity he is responsible for twenty six Hotels, Lodges and Safari resorts in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, 

Rwanda, Zanzibar, Mozambique, Pakistan and Afghanistan. 

Jan was instrumental in placing TPS Serena Hotels Kenya, on the Nairobi Stock exchange in 1997, and in 

the development of the Tanzania and Zanzibar Serena properties from green field sites, in 1994. Between 

2005 and 2007, he acquired and developed Hotels in Uganda and Rwanda under the SERENA banner. 

Jan has held senior positions in East Africa which include: the Founder Chairman of the Kenya Tourism 

Federation; trustee of the East African Wildlife Society and; a Director on the Corporate Governance Board 

of East Africa. 

Serena Hotels has been voted the ‘Most Respected Company’ in the tourism sector in East Africa for five 

successive years in surveys carried out by PricewaterhouseCoopers. 

Jan is a member of the Hotel Catering Institutional Management Association (AHCIMA). He has attended 

Advanced Management training programmes at Cornell University and is a member of the Cornell Hotel 

Society. 

53

Profiles 


INDUSTRY 

Craig Moon 

President and Publisher 

USA Today 

Craig A Moon has been president and publisher of USA TODAY since May 2003. His 

responsibilities include USA TODAY, the nation’s top-selling newspaper; USA TODAY. 

com, an award-winning news and information Website; USA TODAY LIVE, the television arm of USA 

TODAY; USA WEEKEND, a national newspaper magazine; and USA TODAY Sports Weekly, a weekly 

sports magazine. 

Also reporting to Moon is a number of other Gannett Co, Inc operations. They are: PointRoll, Inc, a provider 

of rich media marketing services and technologies; Army Times Publishing Co; Gannett Offset; and the 

Detroit Newspaper Partnership LP. 

Previously, Moon was executive vice president of Gannett’s Newspaper Division. Prior to that, he was 

president and publisher of The Tennessean at Nashville and was also president of the Gannett Piedmont 

Newspaper Group. 

He joined Gannett in 1985 as vice president – advertising of The Cincinnati Enquirer and The Cincinnati 

Post. In 1988, he became president and publisher of The News-Press at Ft Myers, Fla. A year later, he assumed 

a similar role at the Arkansas Gazette at Little Rock. He joined The Tennessean as president in May 1991. 

He later assumed the role of publisher. He served as a vice president in the South Newspaper Group before 

becoming president of the Piedmont Group in 1999. 

Geoff Muirhead CBE 

Group Chief Executive 

The Manchester Airports Group 

Geoff commenced his career in the construction industry prior to joining Manchester 

Airport plc in 1988 as Director of Development. He was appointed Chief Executive of 

Manchester Airport plc in 1994 and Group Chief Executive of The Manchester Airport Group plc in 2001. 

He was awarded the CBE in the Queens New Years Honours list in 2004, adding to his significant other 

personal achievements, which include honorary doctorates from the University of Salford, Manchester 

Metropolitan University and Teesside University. In 2001 he was recognised by the CBI as North West 

Business Executive of the Year. Additionally, Geoff is a fellow of the Institute of Civil Engineers, Chartered 

Institute of Transport, Royal Society of Arts and Royal Aeronautical Society. 

Geoff holds a number of external appointments and is on the Board of Airports Council International 

and; Manchester Metropolitan University; Member CBI North West Regional Council; Deputy Chair of 

the North West Business Leadership Team; Associate Member of the Greater Manchester Chamber and; 

Executive Board Member of the North West Regional Assembly. 

His latest book, The Complete Travel Detective Bible, published by Rodale, is now available. 

54

Profiles 

SAEED AL MUNTAFIQ 


Tatweer 

Tatweer is one of the largest and fastest growing regional business conglomerates and, 

with over US170 billion, the largest tourism, leisure and entertainment Arab investor. 

Launched in December 2005, Tatweer owns and manages a strategic group of companies that operate in 

the fields of Healthcare, Energy, Industry, Real Estate and Leisure and Entertainment, with leading iconic 

projects such as Bawadi or Dubailand the world’s biggest tourism destinations. 

In March 2008 Saeed Al Muntafiq was named Executive Chairman of the Dubai Events Management 

Corporation, a corporate entity under the Government of Dubai mandated to enhance Dubai’s position as an 

international hub for sports and cultural events, conferences and exhibitions. The entity is the sole authority 

responsible for representing Dubai in signing sports agreements, except football or equestrian-related deals, as 

well as for drawing up and setting policies, strategies and standards for sports activities and events. 

Mr Al Muntafiq is a Member of the Board of Directors of the Dubai Group, a leading financial conglomerate 

in the Arab region focusing on Investments, Banking and Insurance. He is also a Member of the Board of the 

Jumeirah Group, a leading hospitality industry with a world class portfolio of hotels. 

INDUSTRY 

Marilyn Carlson Nelson 

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer 

Carlson 

Marilyn Carlson Nelson is Chairman of Carlson, a global group of integrated companies 

providing travel, hotel, restaurant, cruise and marketing services. With headquarters in 

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, and operations in nearly 150 countries and territories, Carlson-owned and 

franchised operations employ about 190,000 people. 

Forbes magazine has regularly selected Marilyn as one of ‘The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women’. Marilyn 

is on the World Economic Forum’s International Business Council and in 2004 co-chaired the Forum’s 

annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. She recently completed a presidential appointment as Chair of the 

National Women’s Business Council, an advisory council to the President and Congress; and is currently 

Vice Chair of the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board. In 2006 Marilyn was made a Chevalier in the 

French Légion d’Honneur. Marilyn was also named one of ‘America’s Best Leaders’ by US News and World 

Report. 

Marilyn was the first major player in the United States travel industry to take a stand in the fight against child 

sexual tourism by co-founding the World Childhood Foundation. In addition, Marilyn signed Carlson to 

ECPAT in 2004, an international code of conduct aimed at ending child prostitution, child pornography and 

the trafficking of children for sexual purposes. 

Marilyn is a past National Chair of the Travel Industry Association of America, has served as a delegate to 

the White House Conference on Tourism, and was on the board of the US National Tourism Organization. 

She is currently a member of the Singapore Tourism Board. 

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Profiles 


INDUSTRY 

DR Kjell Nordstrom 

Associate Professor 

Stockholm School of Economics 

Dr Kjell Nordström is a guru of the new world of business; he has served as a consultant 

to several large multinationals and is on the board of directors of several companies. 

Kjell Nordström holds an Economic Licentiate degree and a doctorate in Economics from the Stockholm 

School of Economics. He is Associate Professor at the Stockholm School of Economics and one of the 

founders of the school’s most prestigious management programs; The Advanced Management Program 

(AMP). He was recognized as Sweden’s outstanding young academic of the year. 

Kjell has published a book and numerous articles on the internationalization process of firms; the book Funky 

Business – Talent makes capital dance (co-authored with Jonas Ridderstråle) is a manifesto of what is required of 

business firms and their leaders in these changing times. The book has been featured on CNN and CNBC, 

and appeared in Fortune, Fast Company, Time Magazine, Financial Times and Paris Match. 

A further book: Karaoke Capitalism: Management for Mankind (co-authored with Jonas Ridderstråle) is a 

manifesto for how to make it in the world of ‘Karaoke Capitalism’. 

His latest book, also co-authored with his colleague, Dr Jonas Ridderstråle is entitled Funky Business Forever 

and was published in September 2007. 

Kjell and Jonas are rebels with a cause. With their unorthodox combination of academic rigor, forceful logic 

and funky free-thinking they re-write the rules for revolutionaries. 

ALAN PARKER 

Chief Executive 

Whitbread PLC 

Alan Parker was appointed Chief Executive of Whitbread PLC in June 2004 having 

been Managing Director of Whitbread Hotel Company for the previous twelve years 

and a member of the Whitbread PLC Board since 2000. 

Whitbread is the UK’s No 1 hotel and restaurant company with leading brands such as Premier Inn, Costa 

Coffee and Beefeater. 

Alan was educated at the University of Surrey (BSc in Hotel Management), where he is now a Visiting 

Professor. He is a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Programme, a Director 

and ex-Chairman of the British Hospitality Association, a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality, a Director of 

VisitBritain, an Executive Committee Member of the World Travel & Tourism Council and Non-Executive 

Director of Jumeirah Group LLC. 

Before joining Whitbread in 1992, Alan was Senior Vice President of Holiday Inn Europe, Middle East and 

Africa based in Brussels, and prior to that, Managing Director Europe of Crest Hotels based in Frankfurt. 

Alan’s career started as a boy in the hotel and catering industry in the family’s London restaurant. 

56

Profiles 

STEVAN D PORTER 

President, The Americas 

Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) 

Stevan Porter serves as President, the Americas, for IHG (InterContinental Hotels 

Group) and holds additional duties as Global Leader franchise strategy and Executive 

Director of InterContinental Hotels Group PLC in the UK. 

As President, the Americas, Stevan is responsible for the company’s largest operating region with a portfolio 

of more than 3,000 hotels and resorts under the InterContinental ® , Crowne Plaza ® , Hotel Indigo , Holiday 

Inn ® , Holiday Inn Express ® , Staybridge Suites ® and Candlewood Suites ® hotel brands. 

A 32-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Stevan joined IHG in 2001 as Chief Operating Officer, the 

Americas. Prior to that he served with Hilton Hotels Corporation starting in 1990, then known as Promus 

Hotel Corporation. 

Stevan is immediate Past Chairman of the American Hotel & Lodging Association Government Affairs 

Committee, a member and past Chairman of the Business Advisory Council of the Richard T Farmer School 

of Business at Miami University and Vice Chairman of the Travel Business Roundtable. He is also on the 

Board of Directors for the International Association of Holiday Inns. 

Stevan is a graduate of Miami University and received his Master’s of Business Administration degree from 

Xavier University. 

INDUSTRY 

Bill Reinert 

National Manager 

Toyota Motor Sales, USA 

Bill Reinert is National Manager of Advanced Technology for Toyota Motor Sales, USA. 

His main role is to coordinate Toyota’s various research, development and marketing 

activities relating to alternative-fuelled vehicles and emerging technologies. He is currently working on 

several advanced hybrid electric products, direct hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, reformed fuel approaches for 

hydrogen, full-featured electric vehicles, city electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid concepts, ethanol fuels and 

sustainable transportation systems. 

Bill and his team launched the first hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles in commercial operation in the 

United States. Bill also helped develop the I-4 program (with a team from Air Products, BMW, Honda, Nissan 

and Toyota) to respond to the Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Validation Program RFP. Prior to this, Bill 

and his team were responsible for the Product Planning of the current generation Prius. 

Bill spent several years developing advanced neural network applications and advanced energy systems for 

Hewlett Packard and developed alternative energy solutions at Bell Labs. 

Bill graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a Masters in Energy Engineering and received 

his Bachelors Degree in Biopsychology from the University of Missouri, Kansas City. 

Bill serves on the Energy Advisory Group for the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) 

and is part of the Principal Voices Program with CNN, Fortune and Time. 

57

Profiles 


INDUSTRY 

CHRISTOPHER RODRIGUES CBE 

Chairman 

VisitBritain 

Christopher Rodrigues became Chairman of VisitBritain on 1 January 2007 and 

Executive Chairman of International Personal Finance plc in July 2007. He had been 

President and Chief Executive at Visa International from 2004-2006. Between 1996 and 2004 he was Group 

Chief Executive at Bradford and Bingley, leading the process towards its initial placement in 2000 and entry 

to the FTSE 100 list in 2002. Between 1988 and 1996 he was Chief Operating Officer and Group Chief 

Executive at Thomas Cook. Earlier in his career he was a Manager at McKinsey and Co, before spending 

nine years with American Express. 

He was a founder non-Executive Director of the Financial Services Authority (1997-2003). He has been an 

independent non-Executive Director at Ladbrokes plc (formerly Hilton Group plc) since 2003, is Chairman 

of the Windsor Leadership Trust, is an Executive Committee Member of the World Travel & Tourism Council 

and was a member of the Council and Executive Committee of the National Trust. 

Christopher is a graduate of Cambridge University and the Harvard Business School. He rowed for 

Cambridge in the 1970 and 1971 Boat Race, is a past-Chairman of Leander Club and is a Steward of Henley 

Royal Regatta. 

Christopher became a Commander of the British Empire in the 2007 New Year Honours list for services to 

British business interests and charitable works in the UK and USA. 

SONU SHIVDASANI 

Founder, Chairman & CEO 

Six Senses Resorts & Spas 

A descendant of Indian Parents, Sonu was born and studied largely in England, with 

some periods of his education being in Nigeria and Switzerland. He is an alumni of 

Eton College and a Graduate of Oxford University where he received an MA in English Literature. 

During his time at Oxford, Sonu met his Swedish-born wife, Eva. They fell in love with the Maldives 

and leased an island there in 1990. After considerable effort and some good luck – aided of course by his 

University Degree, their first resort, Soneva Fushi opened in 1995. As the pioneer luxury and environment 

friendly resort in the country, Soneva Fushi redefined tourism in the Maldives and soon became known as 

the premier beach destination. 

In 2000 Soneva Fushi was awarded Best of the Best by the readers of Condé Nast Traveller UK, an indication of 

the numerous travel and environmental awards with which the company would receive in the future. 

Soneva Fushi also opened the first spa in the Maldives and one of the first in Asia; thus Six Senses Spas was 

born. 

The signing of agreements to manage resorts and spas of third parties lead to what is now the Six Senses group; 

a company whose Core Purpose is: To create innovative and enriching experiences in a sustainable environment. 

With this goal in mind the Six Senses portfolio currently boasts 26 resorts that are either open or under 

development, and 41 spas that are in Six Senses’ own properties or hosted by third-party managed properties. 

Six Senses also operates retail outlets at most of its resorts under the brand – Six Senses Gallery. 

Whilst the evolution of Six Senses keeps Sonu quite busy, he enjoys reading, art, architecture, wine, travelling, 

wellness and Six Senses Living in general. 

58

Profiles 

Professor Norbert Walter 

Chief Economist, Deutsche Bank Group 

and CEO, Deutsche Bank Research 

Norbert Walter is Chief Economist of Deutcshe Bank Group. He was previously 

Director at the renowned Kiel Institute for World Economics and was a John J McCloy 

Distinguished Research Fellow at the American Institute for contemporary Studies at the Johns Hopkins 

University in Washington. 

As Chief Economist of Deutsche Bank Group Norbert Walter is responsible for a globally integrated approach 

in economic research. He is also member of the Deutsche Bank think tank, which covers a wide spectrum of 

issues ranging from economic forecasting to country rating and sector analysis. 

Norbert Walter is a member of the Committee of Wise Men on the Regulation of European Securities 

Markets ("Lamfalussy group"). He was also a close adviser to Gerhard Schroder’s government. 

Norbert Walter, as Chief Economist at the Deutsche Bank enjoys debate, and he will hold forth on anything 

from the future of East German housing estates, the prospects offered by the internet, the euro or the role of the 

IMF. When it is a question of explaining economic issues, editors of television news, programmes, and newspaper 

and magazine editors, look to Norbert Walter for comment and explanation. To this extent, he is The Nation’s 

Economist. 

INDUSTRY 

ROB WEBB QC 

General Counsel 

British Airways 

Robert Webb QC is General Counsel of British Airways. He also carries responsibility 

for environmental issues, safety, security, risk management, government affairs and British 

Airways health services. 

He was called to the Bar in 1971 and became Queen’s Counsel in 1988. He practised as a QC for 10 years 

as Head of Chambers at 5 Bell Yard, London from whence he joined British Airways in 1998. 

He is a Non Executive Director of the London Stock Exchange, of the BBC and of Hakluyt Ltd. He is a 

Bencher of the Inner Temple and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. He sat as a Recorder of the 

Crown Court from 1993 to 1998 and is a past Chairman of the International Relations Committee of the 

Bar Council. He also sits on the Board of ‘London First’. He was a Director of Air Mauritius for five years 

(1999-2005). 

Married with two sons he lives in London and Aberdeenshire. He is a Trustee of the Migratory Salmon Fund, 

an Honorary Fellow of UNICEF, and a golfer. 

Philip Wolf 

CEO 

PhoCusWright Inc 

Mr Wolf, a respected travel industry guru, founded PhoCusWright Inc in 1994 and 

serves as president and CEO. His expertise in travel distribution strategy, technology and 

innovation has made him a sought-after speaker around the world. After two decades of analyzing, scrutinizing 

and opining on strategic change and market trends, he is now a recognized industry authority. Philip serves on 

several company boards and is an adjunct professor at New York University’s Graduate Center for Hospitality, 

Tourism and Sports Management. He is quoted frequently in consumer and trade media including CNN, 

Business Week, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times and was named to Travel Weekly’s 

‘Club 33: The Most Influential People in the Travel Industry.’ Prior to PhoCusWright, Mr Wolf was president 

and CEO of Travelmation, a venture-funded software developer and travel booking engine pioneer, later sold to 

Rosenbluth International. He first entered the travel commerce arena in 1989 as head of a small agency. He is a 

magna cum laude graduate of Duke University and holds an MBA from Vanderbilt University’s Owen Graduate 

School of Management. 

59

Profiles 


INDUSTRY 

Sarmad Zok 


Kingdom Hotel Investments 

Sarmad Zok (39) was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Kingdom Hotel Investments 

(KHI) in September 2001, having previously worked for Kingdom Hotel Partners LLC, 

a private equity fund operating in New York and London in 1999-2001. Since joining KHI, Sarmad has built 

the business into a leading hotel and resort investment company and successfully led KHI’s $1.6bn listing on 

DIFX and LSE in March 2006. 

Sarmad has extensive knowledge of emerging markets and the hotel industry, having previously worked 

with KHI as an Executive Vice President of Acquisitions and Development and was responsible for the hotel 

investment and asset management activities within the Middle East, Africa and Asia. He has also headed Forte 

plc’s development effort in the Middle East, Africa and India. Sarmad started his career in 1992 with Hilton 

Hotels where he was in charge of business development operations before moving on to work with HVS 

International in hotel consulting and valuation in London. 

Sarmad holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management from the University of Surrey and a Masters of 

Arts in Property Valuation and Law from City University Business School in London. He is a member of the 

Board of Directors of Kingdom Hotel Investment, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts and Fairmont Raffles Holding 

International. 

Sarmad is fluent in English, French and Arabic. 

60

Summit Host, Patrons and Partners 

Ho s t 62 

Pat r o n s 63 

Pa rt n e r s 66 

Pl at i n u m Pa rt n e r 66 

Go l d Pa rt n e r 66 

Si lv e r Pa rt n e r 67 

ICT Pa rt n e r 67 

Me d i a Pa rt n e r s 68 

Me d i a Co n t r i b u t o r s 70 

Co n t r i b u t o r s 74 

Su p p o rt e r s 76 

61

Summit Host, 

HOST 

HOST – The DTCM, established in 1997, is the principal authority for planning 

and supervising the development of tourism in Dubai. DTCM undertakes 

international promotional and marketing campaigns to highlight Dubai’s strengths 

and opportunities. 

DTCM has 15 overseas representation offices in New York, Sydney, Frankfurt, Hong 

Kong, Johannesburg, London, Milan, Moscow, Mumbai, Paris, Stockholm, Tokyo, 

Zurich, Riyadh and Jeddah. 

DTCM is the sole licensing body for hotels, hotel apartments and tour operators. 

Its supervisory role covers archaeological and heritage sites, cruise terminal and 

convention bureaus. It participates in over 30 overseas exhibitions in addition to 

holding 12 road shows. 

The fast emergence of Dubai on the world tourism map and spectacular performance 

as an international business hub is undoubtedly the result of the marketing and 

promotional agenda being pursued by the DTCM. 

The department achieved ISO 9000:2000 certification in the year 2000 – a world’s 

first by a tourism promotion body – and continues to follow its quality and values 

in all its work. 

To tap the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, the 

department established the Dubai Convention Bureau (DCB) in March 2003. 

CONTACT DETAILS 

Post Office Box: 594, Dubai 

Telephone: +9714 223 0000 

Fax: +9714 223 0022 

Website: www.dubaitourism.ae 

Email: info@dubaitourism.ae 

62

Summit Patrons 

PATRON – Since its launch in 1985, Emirates Airline has received more than 

300 international awards in recognition of its efforts to provide unsurpassed levels 

of customer service. 

The airline has experienced rapid and consistent growth, above 20 per cent a year 

on average, and has been profitable for the last 20 consecutive years. Financially selfsustained 

and unprotected, Emirates carried 17.5 million passengers in the 2006-07 

financial year – three million more than the year before – and declared a record net 

profit of US$942 million. Total group revenue increased by an impressive 28.8 per 

cent, to US$8.5 billion compared with US$6.6 billion the previous year. 

With an all wide-bodied fleet of 115 aircraft, Emirates operates services to 100 cities 

in 62 countries, spanning six continents. 

The airline presently has 242 aircraft pending delivery, worth approximately US$60 

billion at list prices. At the Dubai Airshow in November 2007 Emirates announced 

a historic civil aviation aircraft order when it signed contracts for 120 Airbus A350s, 

11 A380s and 12 Boeing 777-300ERs, worth an estimated US$34.9 billion at list 

prices. Emirates is also the largest customer of A380s, with 58 of these Airbus superjumbos 

on order. 

The Emirates Group, which has some 35,000 staff from 145 countries, also comprises 

an international cargo division, a full-fledged destination management and leisure 

division, an international ground-handler and an airline IT developer. 

For more information visit: www.emirates.com or www.ekgroup.com 

63PATRON



PATRON 

PATRON – Nakheel is one of the world’s largest privately held real estate 

developers, and a key player in realising the vision of Dubai for the 21st century: 

creating a world class destination for living, business, and tourism. 

Nakheel is developing an iconic portfolio of innovative landmark projects in Dubai 

across a range of sectors – residential, commercial, retail, and leisure. Nakheel’s 

developments spread across more than two billion sq ft of land, and its projects are 

conservatively projected to be worth US$80 billion. Upon completion Nakheel’s 

waterfront projects will have added more than 1,000km of shoreline to Dubai’s 

coastline. 

Nakheel’s portfolio currently includes The Palm Jumeirah, The Palm Jebel Ali, The 

Palm Deira, The World, The Universe, Waterfront, Jumeirah Islands, Jumeirah Village, 

Jumeirah Park, Jumeirah Heights, The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Ibn Battuta 

Mall, Al Furjan, International City, Dragon Mart Complex, Dubai Promenade, Port 

Rashid and Dubai Design Centre. 

Nakheel is a key entity within Dubai World. Dubai World is one of the world’s 

largest holding companies and supervises a portfolio of businesses and projects for 

the Dubai government across five continents and more than 100 countries. 

64


PATRON – Jumeirah properties are regarded as among the most luxurious and 

innovative in the world and have won numerous international travel and tourism 

awards. The fast growing Dubai based luxury international hospitality management 

group encompasses the world renowned Burj Al Arab, the world’s most luxurious hotel, 

the multi-award winning Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Madinat 

Jumeirah and Jumeirah Bab Al Shams Desert Resort & Spa in Dubai, the Jumeirah 

Carlton Tower and Jumeirah Lowndes Hotel in London and the Jumeirah Essex House 

on Central Park South in New York. 

The Jumeirah Group portfolio also includes Wild Wadi, one of the premier water 

parks outside of North America and The Emirates Academy, the region’s only third 

level academic institution specialising in the hospitality and tourism sectors, Jumeirah 

Branded Restaurants, the company’s dedicated restaurant division, global spa brand 

Talise, Jumeirah Living, the Group’s luxury brand of serviced residences offering 

effortless living in luxurious surroundings and Jumeirah Retail, Jumeirah Group’s retail 

division with a portfolio of fourteen retail stores and dedicated luxury retail website 

www.jumeirahcollection.com. 

Building on this success, Jumeirah Group became a member of Dubai Holding in 2004, 

a collection of leading Dubai based businesses and projects, in a step that aims to initiate a 

new phase of growth and development for the group. 

Jumeirah’s ambitious expansion plans to grow its portfolio of luxury hotels and 

resorts worldwide to 57 by 2011 are well underway with projects currently under 

development in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Aqaba, Doha, Phuket, Shanghai, Bermuda, 

Mallorca and London. 

For further information please contact: 

Jumeirah Group Corporate Communications 

Anne Bleeker, Director of Corporate Communications 

Telephone: +971 4 3647970; E-mail: anne.bleeker@jumeirah.com 

Samantha Dancy, Public Relations Manager 

Telephone: +971 4 3647959; E-mail: samantha.dancy@jumeirah.com 

PO Box 214159 Dubai, United Arab Emirates 

Fax: +971 4 3016655; Visit us at: www.jumeirah.com 

65PATRON

TM 

TM 

Summit Partners 


PARTNERS 

PLATINUM Partner – DUBAILAND ® , Showcasing New Benchmarks in Global Tourism 

With a forecast of 15 million visitors to Dubai by 2015 and 2.5 million residents when fully operational, 

DUBAILAND ® is gearing up to emulate the amazing success story Dubai has established in global tourism. This 

fascinating concept, covering three billion square feet, will include an unprecedented variety of theme parks, 

hotels, shopping malls, retail outlets, resorts, sport, leisure and entertainment facilities epitomising the perfect 

family destination. 

As the owner and developer of DUBAILAND ® , Tatweer (a member of Dubai Holding), has proved a pioneer in 

bringing landmark projects to Dubai, including international names such as Tiger Woods with his first signature 

golf course, Universal Studios theme park, and most recently DreamWorks Animation Park, Hit Entertainment’s 

Little Big Club and Six Flags Theme Park. 

With more than 20 projects announced so far, and six attractions already operational namely; Global Village, 

showcasing traditional arts and crafts and exciting shows from around the world; Al Sahra Desert Resort with the 

spectacular Jumana show; the Dubai Outlet Mall offering more discounts than anyone could have bargained for; 

Plantation, the unique Polo equestrian community; the Dubai Autodrome at MotorCity offering pulse racing 

excitement and entertainment; and Ernie Els’ first signature golf course ‘The Els Club’ launched at Dubai Sports 

City. DUBAILAND ® is truly set to become the most distinctive leisure and entertainment destination this side 

of the world. 

GOLD Partner – The Sharaf Group comprises over 60 operating companies in more than 6 business 

sectors: Information Technology; Shipping; Retail; Real Estate; Financial Services; Consumer Products; Travel 

and Tourism and Construction Companies. The Group was founded by two enterprising brothers, Ibrahim 

Sharaf and Sharaffudin Sharaf, of UAE origin during the last quarter of the 20th century. 

The Sharaf Group is one of UAE’s largest and most respected business conglomerates. Sharaf Group companies 

together employ some 2600 people. Among The Group’s registered enterprises the standout names – such 

as Sharaf Shipping Agency, Sharaf Industries, Sharaf Travels, Sharaf Enterprises, Sharaf DG, Sharaf Design and 

Information Dynamics – have greatest presence in and around the Gulf Countries. The Group has experienced 

sustained growth for years since its inception (1976) among other Arab business houses in the private sector. 

The Sharaf Group has operations in more than 20 countries across the continents. 

The impeccable reputation that The Sharaf Group has built for Financial Integrity, Discipline, Reliability, 

Trustworthiness and Product Delivery is truly enviable. 

Contact: Sharaf Group, P.O.Box – 576, Dubai, UAE 

Phone: +971 (4) 3520555 Email: sharafgp@sharaf.ae 

66


SILVER Partner – Emirates NBD (DFM: ENBD) is the biggest banking group in the Middle East by assets 

and the biggest banking group in the UAE by market capitalization. The Group has a leading retail banking 

franchise in the UAE, with over 100 branches and over 480 ATMs. It is a major player in the UAE corporate 

banking arena, with a combined market share of almost a fifth of corporate loans. It also has strong Islamic 

banking, investment banking, private banking, asset management and brokerage operations. 

The Group has operations in the UAE, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Kingdom and Jersey 

(Channel Islands), and representative offices in India, Iran and Singapore. 

ICT Partner – du, the integrated telecom service provider in the UAE, launched mobile telecommunication 

services on 11 February 2007 across the UAE in addition to internet and pay TV services in some of the free 

zones of Dubai. Call Select, the first of du’s nationwide Fixed line services for voice telephony, was launched in 

July 2007. 

Among du’s many firsts is its historic Number Booking Campaign for both individuals and business, Pay by 

the Second billing system, Mobile TV, Mobile Payments, first of its kind ‘WoW’ recharge card (which offers 

customers the choice between more credit and more time) and Self Care. du business offers include Closed 

Business User Group and preferred International Destinations. 

du’s retail network, currently numbering 16 du shops located in strategic locations across all emirates, was 

launched on 25 February 2007, supporting the delivery of du services to customers. 

du is 40% owned by the UAE Federal Government, 20% by Mubadala Development Company, 20 percent by 

TECOM Investments and 20% by public shareholders. It is listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and 

trades under the name du. 

67partners



PARTNERS 

Media Partner – In 2003, Al Arabiya news channel was launched. The 24/7 free-to-air news and current affairs 

satellite outlet soon became the news source of choice for Arabs seeking credible news and information about 

the Middle East and the world beyond. Al Arabiya’s reputation for sober and balanced reporting now extends 

beyond its natural geographic and cultural domain, ie the Middle East. A number of renowned international news 

organisations and research institutes interested in the Arab and Islamic worlds regularly monitor Al Arabiya. 

Al Arabiya runs an extensive global network of correspondents and reporters to provide its audiences with the 

latest updates, scoops, interviews, and exclusives. With nearly 30 offices around the world and large-scale presence 

in several key countries such as Iraq, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and Yemen, Al Arabiya enjoys 

a competitive edge in providing on-the-ground, first hand coverage of major events of relevance to its audience 

and the world at large. 

For further information contact: Tara Rogers, +971 4 391 9999 Ext. 2721, Tara.Rogers@mbc.ae 

Media Partner – BBC World is the BBC’s commercially funded international news and information television 

channel, broadcasting in English 24 hours a day. It can be seen in 271 million homes in more than 200 countries 

and territories. 

BBC World provides news, business and sport and explains not only what is happening but why. The channel’s 

hourly news programmes offer unmatched, impartial, in-depth analysis of breaking news and events of global 

importance. 

In addition to its news bulletins, BBC World also broadcasts the best of the BBC’s award-winning documentary, 

factual and lifestyle programming. 

The channel’s dedicated 24-hour fully digital newsroom and studio is located at BBC Television Centre in 

London. It forms part of the world’s largest and most trusted broadcasting newsgathering organisation. 

Media Partner – The FT is firmly established as one of the world’s leading business information brands, 

internationally recognised for its authoritative, accurate, and incisive news, comment and analysis. Whether in 

print or online, the Financial Times is essential reading for the global business community. 

Printed in 23 print sites across the world, the Financial Times newspaper currently has a circulation of 449,385 

copies worldwide, and a readership of 1.3 million people. FT.com is one of the world’s leading business 

information websites, and the internet partner of the Financial Times. FT.com has 6.5 million unique monthly 

users and 101,000 subscribers, delivering a premium audience to advertisers. 

For more information, please contact Sarah Drew or Theresa Collins on +44 (0)20 7873 4899 or email sarah. 

drew@ft.com or Theresa.collin@ft.com 

68


Media Partner – Each week, Newsweek offers comprehensive coverage of world events with a distinguished 

team of correspondents, reporters and editors covering global affairs, business, science, technology, society, arts, 

entertainment and travel. In addition, Newsweek.com provides 24-hour breaking news coverage and original 

content along with the entire print magazine. 

Written for a global, sophisticated reader, Newsweek has the most extensive magazine network of all newsweeklies, 

with a total of eleven editions, in more than 190 countries, to a worldwide audience of over 23 million. Each 

edition also has unique editorial geared to its specific region, made possible by Newsweek’s expansive reporting 

network of more than 20 offices around the world. 

Newsweek is the most honoured newsweekly, winning the publishing industry’s most prestigious awards, including 

more National Magazine Awards (publishing’s highest honour), more Overseas Press Club Awards (for best 

reporting) and more Gerald Loeb Awards (business journalism’s highest honour) than any other newsweekly. 

Media Partner – As Telegraph customers spend £6.4 billion on holidays a year, the travel sections of The 

Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph and Telegraph.co.uk are perfectly placed to support The Global Travel & 

Tourism Summit. 

This year, with the launch of Real Trips – a TV show that captures on film our journalists’ real life travel 

experiences – Telegraph Travel continues to provide its customers with exciting new ways to enjoy travel content 

and advertisers with innovative ways to inspire these customers to book. 

With a total reach of 14.8 million, Telegraph Travel is now consumed by one in three UK adults. As these are 

typically ABC1 adults they have little to fear from a slowing economy and are more likely to spend, even in a 

credit crunch. 

Our hope for this partnership is to bring our customers closer to the workings of one of the largest and dynamic 

industries of today’s global economy and to help you to grow your business with an audience that really spends 

on travel. 

To discuss advertising call, +44 20 7931 3344. 

partners 

Media Partner – We all live...we all travel. And Discovery Travel Media is there for every step of the travel 

journey. We offer more than Travel Channel’s inspiring television created by engaging storytellers, putting you 

in touch with all aspects of the travel cycle. We connect with advertisers and partners who seek exciting ways to 

engage passionate consumers and travelers – via audio, video, online, and mobile technology. Be a traveler. 

Media Partner – Travel Weekly is the most influential B2B news resource for the travel industry. Via a 

multimedia portfolio of products, Travel Weekly and TravelWeekly.com deliver all the late-breaking news, analysis 

and research that travel professionals need to succeed. 

In a rapidly changing and competitive marketplace, Travel Weekly’s award winning editorial staff provides travel 

professionals with a necessary global perspective through in-depth coverage of every business sector, including airline, 

car rental, cruise, destination, hotel and tour operator as well as technology, economic and governmental issues. 

69



Media Partner – USA TODAY is a multimedia worldwide brand which includes the top-selling newspaper in 

the United States. The newspaper, including the international editions, is distributed in more than 60 countries and 

has a total average daily circulation of 2.3 million. USA TODAY launched in 1982 with the frequent traveler in 

mind and was at the forefront of the practice of providing newspapers at travelers’ hotel room doors in the morning, 

making it the hometown newspaper for millions of traveling Americans. Today, the brand includes: USATODAY. 

com, a news and information Web site with 10.4 million unique visitors per month; USA TODAY Mobile, offering 

up-to-the minute news on a variety of mobile platforms and devices; USA TODAY Sports Weekly, a magazine 

for enthusiasts of football and baseball; USA TODAY LIVE, the television arm of the brand; and OPEN AIR, a 

quarterly active lifestyle magazine. USA TODAY is published by Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI). 

PARTNERS 

Media Contributor – AME Info (www.ameinfo.com) – The ultimate Middle East business resource, is a leading 

provider of online business information in and about the Middle East region. AME Info offers both English and 

Arabic current information in daily news wires, editorial columns, special feature articles, reports, video and radio 

features, including detailed business directory information and event listings. 

AME Info is at the forefront of the online communications industry and is the first site in the Middle East to have 

its traffic independently audited by ABC ELECTRONIC. The number of unique users visiting the site has more 

than trebled in just two years. 

Media Contributor – Breaking Travel News ranks as one of the leading online travel news and information 

sites, attracting thousands of unique users every month. 

The website – BreakingTravelNews.com – provides a broad range of information covering daily news, special 

reports and an extensive calendar of travel trade events. 

Our newswire service is sent out daily to all registered members delivering the latest headlines and special reports 

on the global Travel & Tourism industry. Our audience is truly global from the Asia-Pacific to Central Europe; 

our subscriber base is robust and international. 

Breaking Travel News is a highly effective medium for creating general awareness for travel trade advertisers. This 

online service ensures a fast-moving and reactive environment in which to interact with the industry. 

70 

Media Contributor – eTN is among the world’s most influential travel trade publications, with over 215,000 

subscribers, including 14,000 journalists. Besides WTTC, eTN has worked with the world’s foremost tourism 

organisations and the world’s biggest travel shows, making the Hawaii, Thai and German based publication a 

powerful player in global travel trade communications. 

Policymakers and decision makers – alike subscribe to: www.eturbonews.com, www.eturbonews.de, 

www.forimmediaterelease.net


Media Contributor – Eye of Dubai is a guidebook providing comprehensive information about Dubai for 

residents and visitors and supported by local government agencies and major private sector organisations in the 

fields of commerce, tourism and investment. 

Designed for residents, short-term visitors, or long holidaymakers, Eye of Dubai gives a brief description of the city 

and includes sections on top highlights, attractions, culture and nightlife. Getting accurate, up-to-date, professional 

and useful information is easy for tourists, investors and residents through the user-friendly format. 

WWW.EYEOFDUBAI.COM – one of the biggest and most visited UAE websites in the fields of tourism and 

investment, EyeOfDubai.com includes interactive services, valuable information and the latest money, business, 

social and lifestyle news. The award winning website that won three awards during the PAN Arab Web Awards 

held on 19 April 2007 at the Burj Al Arab (Gold Award for best Travel & Tourism website, Best Strategic Travel & 

Tourism website, International Standards Web Technology award. And recently won as the Best Website in UAE 

for the year of 2007. 

Media Contributor – FVW Mediengruppe, Germany’s leading travel media group with more than 40 years 

of expertise in tourism, provides widely known and recognised publications such as fvw – Germany’s leading 

travel trade magazine for tourism and business travel, TravelTalk – Germany’s favorite travel agent magazine, 

Urlaub Perfekt – the successful consumer travel magazine and BizTravel – the magazine showing ways to improve 

business travel planning and purchasing. 

Contact: Mr. Matthias Schulz, Director International Markets, Tel. +49-40-41 448-711, 

E-Mail: int.markets@fvw-mediengruppe.com 

partners 

Media Contributor – National Geographic ADVENTURE magazine is the ultimate guide to the adventure 

lifestyle. It serves and inspires people who have a passion for travel and the outdoors, enjoy challenging themselves 

mentally and physically, and are interested in learning about the cultural and natural resources that make each 

destination unique. ADVENTURE delivers a compelling mix of award-winning adventure travel journalism, 

dramatic photography, and useful personal service information on travel destinations, adventure sports, and gear 

and technology, and more. Our 2.3 million readers are trendsetters in the marketplace who thrive on new 

experiences and lead values-driven lives. ADVENTURE is the fastest-growing magazine in both the travel and 

outdoor categories. Its editorial mission supports National Geographic Society’s corporate global mission to 

inspire people to care about the planet. 

71



PARTNERS 

Media Contributor – A Powerful Media for China-UK Business Ties 

Dedicated to the mission of connecting the Chinese all over the world, and teaming up with BskyB, Phoenix 

Chinese News & Entertainment Channel (Phoenix CNE) brings to its European audience an uninterrupted 

stream of political and business information, a unique Asian perspective, a globalising range of news bulletins, and 

a rich variety of entertainment programming. 

Phoenix CNE boasts a wide penetration rate through strong marketing and wide distribution network. The 

channel broadcasts its Chinese programmes 24/7 via digital satellite transponder Eurobird D9S to 45 countries 

and regions in Europe. It has a loyal and rapidly increasing audience via SKY Digital network and Virgin Media’s 

extensive cable service in the UK. Phoenix CNE partners with some of the biggest names in IPTV and cable 

networks in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Portugal and offers popular programmes to the Chinese 

communities as well as mainstream households across the European continent. 

Its multimedia commercial campaign platform consists of on-screen advertising spots, sponsorship packages for 

individual programmes and web advertising in www.pcne.tv . 

Media Contributor – Since 1954, PR Newswire has been the world leader in the electronic delivery of news 

releases directly from tens of thousands of corporate, association, labor, government and institution customers’ world 

wide. Using PR Newswire, these organisations reach a variety of critical audiences including the news media, the 

investment community, government decision-makers, and the general public with their up-to-the-minute, full-text 

news developments. Today, PR Newswire delivers news to over 170 countries in more than 40 languages. 

PR Newswire combines innovation with the latest technology to offer services that both increase the effectiveness 

of marketing and communications and help business professionals show the results of their efforts. PR Newswire’s 

roster of services includes local, regional, national, international and global news and image distribution with incountry 

language translation, a full suite of multimedia capabilities including webcast, podcast, photo, and video 

production and distribution, monitoring and measurement. 

For more information please visit: http://www.prnewswire.com or call +201-360-6060 or 

email WTTC@prnewswire.com 

72 

Media Contributor – The Indian Express Group is one of India’s largest media conglomerates with a wide 

selection of publications and a network of offices spread across India. The 29 national editions and 3 language 

dailies of the group reach over 5 million people, daily. The Express Group publications include the Indian Express, 

Financial Express, Loksatta, Screen & a separate division for business publishing. 

The Group is also the pioneer in launching a separate division for B2B publishing exclusively managed by its 

strategic business unit: Business Publications Division (BPD). It is an independent division of The Express Group 

launched in 1990 and is the largest and fastest growing publishing house in the sub-continent covering all major 

sectors – Information Technology, Hospitality & Travel, Pharma & Healthcare, etc. 

Express Travel Word,(ETW) is one of the finest B2B travel publication published by the Group. Today, it is India’s 

leading business magazine on the Travel trade. Over the years, ETW has become the most favoured media to tap 

key decision makers and institutional buyers. ETW is an intrinsic part of the travel industry and has pioneered 

multiple knowledge forums, key amongst them being the Navigator and the Galielo ETW Awards.


Media Contributor – TravelMole is the world’s most popular and well-read online News and Resource Center 

for the Travel Industry. With over 450,000 registered travel and tourism readers worldwide TravelMole.com and 

TravelMole.TV provides the global travel trade with all the information required to keep abreast of the latest 

developments within the industry. 

Each working day the TravelMole team of journalists develops stories from a variety of sources. This includes general 

press coverage from around the world, interviews, conference and exhibition attendance plus exclusive insights 

from companies who wish to publicize news quickly to professional’s desktops. 2 million email copies of various 

TravelMole wires are broadcasted globally every week. 

TravelMole has editions and offices in Europe (United Kingdom), North America (Los Angeles); Asia (Singapore) 

and Australasia (Sydney). 

For further information contact: Charles Kao, Publisher. Charles.Kao@TravelMole.com 

Media Contributor – TTN is the leading trade publication covering the tourism industry in the Middle East. 

Published monthly by Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group*, TTN is aimed at professionals in the travel 

and tourism industry, from travel agents, to airline and hotel personnel. 

The publication provides in-depth, extensive coverage of relevant issues in the Middle East and Internationally. 

Travel related news, analysis, new appointments, together with information on marketing and promotional 

campaigns, presented in an innovative colour tabloid. Every issue also contains collation of international and 

regional news with topical features of interest to readers. 

TTN is publishes both printed and online editions providing significantly increased readership profile. 

partners 

* Al Hilal Group, established in 1978 is today one of the Middle East’s leading publishing and marketing organisations. During their more 

than 28 years of activity, the companies have operated and acquired a vast amount of experience in overlapping areas of business. 

Media Contributor – TTG Asia Media Pte Ltd is the leading publisher and organiser of events in travel 

and tourism in the Asia Pacific region. 

Publications are targeted at distinct segments: TTG Asia for travel agents and tour operators; TTG China (Chinese 

edition) for the travel trade and travel agents in China; TTGmice and TTGmice Planner for meeting, incentive, 

convention and exhibition planners (MICE); and TTG-BTmice China (Chinese edition) for both MICE planners 

and corporate travel buyers in China. 

TTG Asia Media also organises two major travel events in Asia and China – Incentive Travel & Conventions, 

Meetings Asia (IT&CMA) and Incentive Travel & Conventions Meetings China (IT&CM China) are Asia and 

China’s only dedicated MICE exhibitions. Corporate Travel World Asia-Pacific (CTW) and Corporate Travel & 

Technology World China (CT&TW China) are conferences and exhibitions that focus on the management of 

business travel and entertainment expenditure. 

For more information, please visit www.ttgasiamedia.com 

73



Contributor – Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. 

Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and 

extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them 

become high-performance businesses and governments. With more than 175,000 people in 49 countries, the 

company generated net revenues of US$19.70 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2007. 

Accenture brings a vast amount of experience to the travel industry and has demonstrated its commitment 

through investments like Navitaire, a wholly owned subsidiary servicing many of the world’s leading airlines. As 

a result, travel companies can expect substantive knowledge when seeking to optimise their operations. Find out 

more at www.accenture.com 

PARTNERS 

Contributor – AIG Travel, Inc, a subsidiary of American International Group, Inc (AIG), is one of the largest 

travel insurance and related services companies in the world. With travel operations worldwide, AIG Travel, Inc 

specialises in providing access to global travel insurance products and emergency assistance services in every 

major travel market. Through ownership of a worldwide support network and technology platform, customers 

receive ongoing care while traveling. 

Contributor – Amadeus is the world leader in the provision of solutions to the travel industry to manage 

the distribution and selling of travel services. Over 92,220 travel agency locations and more than 30,900 airline 

sales offices use the Amadeus System to run their business. Our tagline, “Your technology partner”, reflects our 

customer approach – we focus on building and maintaining mutually beneficial long-term relationships. Through 

this stability we develop an understanding of where we can maximise our customers’ success, through the 

provision of technology. The system also provides access to more than 76,800 hotel properties, some 22 car rental 

companies serving over 36,000 locations, as well as ferry, rail, cruise, tour operators and insurance companies. 

Amadeus is headquartered in Madrid, Spain. The Amadeus data centre is in Erding (near Munich), Germany and 

its principal development offices are located in Sophia Antipolis (near Nice), France. www.amadeus.com 

Contributor – American Express is a leading global payments, network and travel company backed by one of 

the world’s most recognized brands. American Express is unique in the payments industry as an issuer of cards as 

well as a worldwide network that processes millions of merchant transactions daily. In addition to a premium line of 

consumer card products, American Express also offers a range of expense management solutions to small businesses, 

midsize companies and large corporations around the world through the Corporate Card program, Corporate 

Purchasing Solutions, and electronic invoicing and payment services. Established in 1850 as a US delivery service, 

American Express has remained a leader for generations by embracing both innovation and tradition. 

74


Contributor – Boeing is the world’s leading aerospace company and the largest manufacturer of commercial 

jetliners and military aircraft combined. Additionally, Boeing designs and manufactures rotorcraft, electronic and 

defense systems, missiles, satellites, launch vehicles and advanced information and communication systems. As a 

major service provider to NASA, Boeing operates the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. Boeing has 

customers in more than 90 countries around the world and is one of the largest US exporters in terms of sales. 

Headquartered in Chicago, Boeing employs more than 150,000 people across the United States and in 70 

countries. The company also leverages the talents of hundreds of thousands more skilled people working for 

Boeing suppliers worldwide. 

Contributor – The Emirates Academy is part of the Jumeirah Group. It is the only truly international hotel 

school in this region, offering 4 year accredited degrees in Hospitality Management. These include a six month 

internship and several short experience gaining industry placements. The Academy collaborates with the Ecole 

hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland, with whom we work in a unique academic association and have a student 

exchange. In addition to the undergraduate degrees, The Academy is developing a Masters programme which 

will be offered from 2009. The Academy also offers consulting services and provides a range of Professional 

Development Programmes for managers in the region. Alumni from The Emirates Academy have graduated into 

management positions within most of the world’s leading hotel companies. 

Contributor – Espírito Santo Tourism is a holding company in the tourism sector and it is a strong leader 

in the Portuguese market namely in hotels and travel distribution. 

Owning and managing Tivoli Hotels with prime location properties in Portugal and Brazil, totalling over 

3,000 rooms. 

In the travel and distribution sector the Group leads the market, with a turnover in excess of €400 million. 

Espírito Santo Tourism is also the largest single shareholder of Invest Tur, one of Brazil’s major developers of 

integrated resorts and residential projects, listed on BOVESPA, São Paulo’s stock market. 

Brazil is a key strategic market for Portfolio expansion, both in resort and residential opportunities, benefiting 

from the Espírito Santo Bank’s longstanding presence in Brazil. 

partners 

Contributor – Hilton Hotels Corporation is the leading global hospitality company, with more than 3,000 

hotels and 500,000 rooms in more than 80 countries, including 100,000 team members worldwide. 

The company owns, manages or franchises a hotel portfolio of some of the best known and highly regarded 

brands, including Hilton®, Conrad Hotels & Resorts®, Doubletree®, Embassy Suites Hotels®, Hampton Inn®, 

Hampton Inn & Suites®, Hilton Garden Inn®, Hilton Grand Vacations(R), Homewood Suites by Hilton®, and 

The Waldorf-Astoria Collection®. 

The company currently operates 44 hotels in Middle East & Africa, with a pipeline of an additional 16 properties. 

For more information visit www.hiltonworldwide.com 

75


Contributor – IBM is the world’s largest information technology company, with 80 years of leadership in 

helping businesses innovate. Drawing on resources from across IBM and key IBM Business Partners, IBM offers 

a wide range of services, software, and technologies that enable customers, large and small, to take full advantage 

of the new era of on demand business through focusing on innovation that matters. 

In addition, IBM has the industry experience and business consulting capabilities to help travel companies 

transform and differentiate themselves to meet the needs of the on demand era: to set priorities, to find leverage 

and innovation points, to put theory into practice, and to deliver short-term ROI with a plan for long-term 

effectiveness. ibm.com/industries/travel 

PARTNERS 

Contributor – TUI AG is an internationally active group that concentrates on the two growth sectors of 

shipping and tourism. In both these divisions TUI commands a leading market position: number 1 among the 

European travel companies and number 5 in the world of container shipping. 

In September 2007 TUI AG merged its travel activities – with the exception of its hotel business – with the British 

travel group First Choice Holidays PLC to form TUI TRAVEL PLC, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. 

TUI AG is the majority shareholder in the new company, which handles more than 30 million customers. 

With 237 hotels and some 144,000 beds TUI Hotels & Resorts is the largest leisure hotelier in Europe. 

TUI AG has organised its shipping activities under the umbrella of Hapag-Lloyd AG, based in Hamburg. With 

141 container ships the company provides a total capacity of about 500,000 TEU. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is the 

leading operator of premium and luxury cruises in German-speaking countries. www.tui-group.com 

Supporter – PhoCusWright is the travel industry research authority on the evolving dynamics that influence 

how travelers, suppliers and intermediaries connect. Independent, rigorous and unbiased, PhoCusWright enables 

companies to make smart, profitable decisions. 

PhoCusWright provides global marketplace intelligence, offering an array of qualitative and quantitative research 

through subscription services, individual reports and sponsored assignments. Areas of emphasis include consumer 

travel planning behavior as well as industry segmentation, sizing, forecasting, trends and analysis. Clients represent 

all facets of the industry value chain from around the world. 

The company is headquartered in Connecticut, USA, with offices in New York, Duesseldorf and Mumbai. 

www.phocuswright.com 

76

TRAVEL & TOURISM ECONOMIC RESEARCH... 

...feel the winds of change 

global GDP 

million jobs 

GDP growth 

Sound decision making relies on credible information and research. The World Travel & Tourism 

Council (WTTC), along with its strategic partner Accenture, has launched its annual Tourism 

Satellite Accounting research for 176 countries, in 13 regions, across the world. 

More than visitor arrivals and receipts, WTTC research measures the impact of Travel & 

Tourism on demand, capital investment, exports, GDP and jobs. 

For the latest Travel & Tourism research go to www.wttc.travel

TRAVEL & TOURISM ECONOMIC RESEARCH... 

...feel the winds of change 

global GDP 

million jobs 

GDP growth 

Sound decision making relies on credible information and research. The World Travel & Tourism 

Council (WTTC), along with its strategic partner Accenture, has launched its annual Tourism 

Satellite Accounting research for 176 countries, in 13 regions, across the world. 

More than visitor arrivals and receipts, WTTC research measures the impact of Travel & 

Tourism on demand, capital investment, exports, GDP and jobs. 

For the latest Travel & Tourism research go to www.wttc.travel

© 

2008 Accenture. All rights reserved. 

We know what it takes to be a Tiger. 

High performers distinguish themselves not only through 

the astuteness of their strategies, but also by their readiness 

to nimbly change course should circumstances dictate. 

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Germany’s leading travel media group 

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FT.com 

Reach more of the world’s 

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The Financial Times is read by some of the world’s wealthiest 

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Our readers are almost twice as likely as the average 

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IBM and the IBM logo are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation in the 

United States and/or other countries. Other company, product and service names may be trademarks 

or service marks of others. ©2007 IBM Corporation. All rights reserved. P20300 

YOU CAN 

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drive innovation and enable productivity and growth. To find out how you can build a resilient and flexible foundation for 

your business, visit ibm.com/industries/travel 

travel ad NGA 2008 2/29/08 11:36 AM Page 1 

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NOVEMBER 1720, 2008 • RENAISSANCE HOLLYWOOD HOTEL • HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA USA 

The PhoCusWright Conference continues to be The Travel Industry Event of the Year. 

Bringing together the most prestigious group of travel, tourism and hospitality leaders, 

PhoCusWright’s unique, interactive conference environment enables attendees to 

engage, debate and define the latest developments in global travel commerce. 

With visionary leaders in travel, tourism and hospitality as speakers, you’ll discover how 

top CEOs are growing their businesses, hear where the industry is heading, and learn 

how to apply new strategies and ideas to your company. 

Two events will take place during the four-day conference: 

THE TRAVEL INNOVATION SUMMIT CENTER STAGE 

New Ideas. New Products. New Companies. The Perfect Storm: Search, Shop, Buy 

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PRN_Generic_Reach.indd 1 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

. 

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16630_TRAVEL_WTTC_v2.indd 1 

3/26/08 12:16:47 PM

You have lots of great 

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In addition to Britain’s best-selling 

quality daily newspaper, award-winning 

website and a highly-acclaimed luxury 

travel magazine, Telegraph Travel now 

offers Real Trips — a TV show that 

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real life experiences from the world’s 

top destinations. To find out how you 

can engage with our huge and affluent 

audiences in more exciting ways than 

ever before call Kimberly Butler on 

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.co.uk/travel 

Source: ABC February 2008

TheTransport 

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Challenge 

22 OCTOBER 2008 SYDNEY CONVENTION + EXHIBITION CENTRE SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 

To register your interest and receive further information about the GLOBAL CITIES 08 Conference please email aclark@ttf.org.au 

TTF AUSTRALIA WILL STAGE THE INAUGURAL GLOBAL CITIES 08 CONFERENCE, 

bringing together leaders in the fields of tourism, transport and infrastructure for a one-day 

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NLY 

Award-winning editorial. 

ONLY 

Travel Weekly has won more editorial awards than 

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FINALIST, Best Single Issue, American Business Media 

Neal Awards: October 22, 2007, Issue 

IN 2007: 

GOLD AWARD, Feature Series, American Society of 

Business Press Editors: Travel + Money: How the 

Industry Really Works 

FIRST PLACE, General Trade Story, North American 

Travel Journalists Association: Marketing Dubai 

SILVER AWARD: B-to-B Travel/Transportation, Folio 

Magazine’s Eddie Competition: Travel + Money: How 

the Industry Really Works 

FINALIST, Best Series, American Business Media Neal 

Awards: Travel + Money: How the Industry Really Works 

Why does Travel Weekly stand out Travel Weekly is a 

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USA TODAY opens the 

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Proud sponsor of The Global Travel & Tourism Summit

Moving ahead 

with foresight 

Two strong pillars, one international group: TUI occupies 

market-leading positions in the shipping and tourism segments 

and its turnover of more than 20 billion euro makes it 

one of the largest companies in Germany. 

All of TUI AG’s shipping activities are undertaken under the 

umbrella operation of Hapag-Lloyd AG, the Hamburg-based 

company ranked fifth in the global container shipping sector. 

Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten is the leading provider of premium 

and luxury cruising in the German-speaking region. 

In tourism, TUI is the market leader in Europe, with a majority 

holding in the London-based TUI Travel PLC. This company 

was formed with the merger of First Choice and TUI’s tourism 

activities, with the exception of hotel participations. For its 

part, TUI Hotels & Resorts is Europe’s largest holiday hotel 

operator. 

Learn more about TUI AG on the Internet at 

www.tui-group.com

TM 

TM 

Organised by: 

Hosted by: 

Summit Patrons: 

Platinum Partner: 

Gold Partner: 

Silver Partner: 

ICT Partner: 

Media Partners: 

Media Contributors: 

Arabic Broadcast Partner 

Official Broadcast Partner 

Online Business 

News Contributor 

Official Daily Newspaper 

Contributors: 

Supporters:

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