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IMEX Frankfurt: Education speakers include former monk, game developer and ‘tech geeks’

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Learning opportunities delivering fresh perspectives from inside and outside the industry

What do a former monk, a game developer and a self-confessed ‘tech geek’ have in common? They’re all speakers at IMEX in Frankfurt, taking place 21 – 23 May.

There are over 250 complimentary learning sessions in both English and German taking place throughout the three days of the show plus EduMonday, an afternoon dedicated to personal development, taking place the day before the IMEX show begins.


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Meet Germany’s most widely-read mindfulness author

The importance of mindfulness in talent management will be explored by Jan Esswein, one-time monk and now Germany’s most widely-read author on the subject of mindfulness. His session The mindfulness code: four improvements for a new quality of work will share tips on using mindfulness to improve employee communication, collaboration and creativity.

Following in the footsteps of 3M, SAP and Siemens

With diversity and inclusion being such a hot topic across both the events sector and worldwide, it forms an integral part of many learning sessions at IMEX in Frankfurt this year. For example, experts from the Association of Destination Management Executives International will explore Cultural differences and their impact on destination management, digging into cultural nuances as well as wider global traits.

Similarly, executive coach Melissa Lamson will pass on the best practice and communication models she has shared with global heavyweights including 3M, LinkedIn, SAP, and Siemens in her session Industry best practices on how to be an inclusive leader.

The role of events in supporting universal design, diversity and inclusion will be championed by the Events Industry Council in Redesigning inclusive events by overcoming unconscious bias – where planners can uncover their unconscious bias and learn practical ways of designing events to be more welcoming for all.

Emotional engagement in event design is explored by experts including James Morgan, Founder of Event Tech Lab. Morgan will discuss the role and importance of activating emotions through good event design in his session Emotional triggers, attendee participation and positive memories.

Separately, research by Cvent will help planners to get Inside the mind of the event attendee, with data detailing not only the differences each region faces, but also the differences in generational needs and some unexpected networking traits.

What a (food) waste

Also new for this year is the Red Lab where experts from outside the events sector will deliver fresh perspectives. Sigurd Ringstad, business developer from game-based learning platform Kahoot, joins facilitator Majbritt Sandberg to share the benefits of social learning to boost teamwork and innovation in Social learning: Connect. Share. Learn. Another session likely to draw a big audience will focus on taking a collaborative approach to sustainability. Collaboration lies firmly at the heart of What a waste! Finding solutions for world problems using co-creation – a session delivered by Laure Berment from Too Good To Go, the world’s number one app for fighting food waste.

Meet the geeks

Technology – and how to deal with information overload – will top the agenda in Meet the geeks – technology trends to enhance your skills in the 21st century where self-confessed ‘tech geeks’ and founders of Canvas Planner will show planners how to benefit from today’s innovations. They’ll also share wisdom on how to use technology to create a healthy work-life balance.

As usual IMEX is offering all attendees FREE education sessions designed across 10 tracks, including business skills, creative learning, research and trends, sustainability and health and wellbeing – all delving into the current issues and challenges faced by planners.

Finally, attendees can also learn about the latest in technology and experiential concepts at the show’s new Discovery Zone. This specially curated area will be packed with education and experiences to fire up the imagination of event planners and exhibitors alike, helping them question the conventional and be inspired to explore new approaches.

WTTC: African tourism sector booming

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Travel & Tourism in Africa is booming, growing 5.6% in 2018 compared to the global average of 3.9% and the broader African economy rate of 3.2%. This places Africa as the second-fastest growing tourism region behind only Asia-Pacific.

Such growth is partly explained by North Africa’s rebound from security crises as well as the development and implementation of policies that promote travel facilitation.

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For over 25 years, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which represents the global private sector of Travel & Tourism, has produced the authoritative research on the economic contribution of the sector. Our research also shows that in 2018:

  • Travel & Tourism contributed $194.2 billion to the region’s economy, representing 8.5% of the continent’s GDP
  • The sector contributed 24.3 million African jobs, or 6.7% of total employment.
  • 71% of tourism spending across Africa was leisure-driven and 29% business
  • Domestic spending accounted for 56% of the tourism economy versus 44% for international
  • International tourism spending comprised 9.6% of the region’s total exports, worth $58.5bn

Ethiopia stands out not only as Africa’s fastest growing travel economy but indeed the world’s, growing by 48.6% last year to be worth $7.4bn. Notably, international Travel & Tourism spending made up a massive 61.0% of exports in the country. This stunning growth can be attributed, in part, to Ethiopia’s improved connectivity as a regional transport hub and to recent visa relaxation policies.

Then, Egypt’s tourism sector has demonstrated considerable resilience, growing by 16.5% last year with international visitor spending accounting for 27.3% of exports. This follows huge safety improvements in the country and in key destinations such as Sharm El-Sheikh, helping to entice international tourists back to the northern coast.

WTTC President & CEO Gloria Guevara commented, “In 2018, the World Travel & Tourism Council hosted its first ever Africa Leaders Forum in Stellenbosch, South Africa, recognising the increasing significance and power of this great region’s travel economy.

“We commend the tourism leaders in Africa who are helping to boost connectivity, promote travel facilitation and ensure traveller safety – all of these measures make for supreme growth; the kind of growth that we are now witnessing across the continent and that provides millions of good jobs.”

WTTC is the body which represents the Travel & Tourism private sector globally. Members consist of CEOs of the world’s Travel & Tourism companies, destinations, and industry organisations engaging with Travel & Tourism.

WTTC has a history of 25 years of research to quantify the economic impact of the sector in 185 countries. Travel & Tourism is a key driver for investment and economic growth globally. The sector contributes US$8.8 trillion or 10.4% of global GDP, and accounts for 319 million jobs or one in ten of all jobs on the planet.

For over 25 years, WTTC has been the voice of this industry globally. Members are the Chairs, Presidents and Chief Executives of the world’s leading, private sector Travel & Tourism businesses, who bring specialist knowledge to guide government policy and decision-making and raise awareness of the importance of the sector.

Guyana Tourism together with SUNx to bring Climate Change education

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Guyana which has been named the #1 “Best of Ecotourism” destination and one of the world’s Top 10 Sustainable Destinations at this week’s ITB Berlin is teaming up with SUNx to bring Climate Change education into its Travel & Tourism sector.

Guyana’s ITB Award reflects its authentic Green Tourism, its holistic approach to sustainable destination management, and integration into the quality of life for all its citizens.

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“Being recognized as a leading sustainable destination is a great honour and it’s very timely, with the potential the government to advance development, modernize the economy, and positively transform the lives of all citizens” stated Brian T. Mullis, Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority. “ The Green State Agenda gives a tremendous lead and we will do all we can to strengthen inter-ministerial and multi-stakeholder collaboration to maximize the positive socio-economic and conservation outcomes from tourism.”

As an immediate step Mullis announced an SDG17 Partnership between the Guyana Tourism Authority and the SUNx Program – a legacy program for Maurice Strong, the father of Sustainable Development – to kickstart its “Plan For Our Kids” in Guyana.

Professor Geoffrey Lipman, co-founder of SUNx noted its lifetime learning system for Climate Friendly Travel ~ measured: green: 2050 proof.  SUNx plans to use it to create 100,000 STRONG Climate Champions by 2030, across all UN States to support transformation to the New Climate Economy. “We will enrol a top Guyanese Student, as a beach head for the program in the country and  work with the stakeholders in the sector to boost membership in  the years ahead. Our strategic vision is for the sector to conform to Paris Climate Targets by 2030 and we believe that the “Plan For Our Kids” will make a big difference”.

The Strong Universal Network SUNx is a program of the EU-based, not for profit Green Growth and Travelism Institute, and a legacy to the late Maurice Strong – Sustainable Development Pioneer.  Its goal is to promote Climate Friendly Travel with good & bad effects measured and managed coherently: with Green Growth at the core and, 2050-proof in line with the Paris Accords, and the W.E.F. 4th Industrial Revolution.
www.thesunprogram.com/

The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) is a semiautonomous governmental organisation responsible for developing and promoting sustainable tourism in Guyana through collaboration with sister agencies and the tourism private sector in order to maximise local socio-economic and conservation outcomes and improve the visitors’ experience.  GTA is focused on Guyana becoming recognised locally and internationally as a premier destination for protecting its natural and cultural heritage, providing authentic experiences, and maximizing local economic benefits. For more information, visit www.guyanatourism.com



A Plan For Our Kids: Climate Friendly Travel

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Deep down, most people know, Travel & Tourism must respond to the eXistential challenge of Climate Change, must fully align with the Paris Agreement targets, and must play a leading role in the Green New Deal paradigm shift. Our sector is a central part of the human activity – social, economic and environmental: its influence and impact are growing: its role in development is fundamental. Mobility is a part of our DNA.

But we are in the middle of a massive “New Climate Economy” transformation. It will affect all consumption, all supply, and all investment on the planet, as well as a shift to the circular economy and nature-based solutions.  The scientists say we have about a decade to get our house in order and keep global temperatures at tolerable levels for humanity. If we don’t fix it, our grandkids will freeze or fry.

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Many will say that we are acting already – conferences, declarations: observatories: pledges: certification: awards: offsets: clean energy technology and so much more. We have WTTC linked to UNFCCC, IATA & ICAO taking care of aviation and CLIA, WOC & IMO looking after cruises. We’ll also get a huge boost from societal shifts to low carbon lifestyles, smart cities, electric transport: synthetic fuels: green buildings, satellite or big data monitoring, AI, IOT and the like.

At the same time countries, cities, businesses, and consumers will deliver an increasing number of national and local regulations as states take steps to ensure that the SDGs and Paris targets are achieved. All this change will intensify under the dictates of a progressively tightening Paris climate regime. Surely this will be enough?

I suggest it will not. Our world is just beginning to understand the impact of extreme weather, melting ice caps, warmer oceans, severer drought, fiercer forest fires, disrupted supply chains, and migration mayhem.  The harsh reality is we still need to move further, faster and more strategically on Climate Response in the coming decade.

Tomorrow’s leaders must have the right mindset to deal with the dynamic disrupted world of tomorrow. The ingenuity to conceive and build responsive Travel & Tourism systems for liveable, as well as enjoyable destinations. And that means starting now and accelerating to stay on the intensifying Paris curve.

SUNx – a legacy program for Maurice Strong, the father of sustainable development – has crafted the start of a response. “Plan For Our Kids” will create 100,000 STRONG Climate Champions in all UN States by 2030. Not to replicate or substitute work done by committed industry or government bodies dealing with Climate response – we will need all of these. There will be no magic bullet

Our contribution is to help prepare the next generation of decision makers, as well as help companies and communities connect with them.  It’s a low cost, CSR linked program, which will support nextgen leaders with lifetime learning, from school through graduation and it will teach Climate Friendly Travel ~ measured to manage: green to grow and 2050 proof to innovate. It will provide cloud-connected online education, analytics and a heavy emphasis on innovation, to spread best practice around the system.

“Plan For Our Kids” will help keep a central focus on climate resilience for destinations, companies, value chains and travelers themselves. It will focus on communities because that’s where lasting impacts are made and it’s where ultimate lifestyle decisions rest.  It will be expanded through SDG 17 Partnerships for change.

To take this plan to global scale in the 2030 timeframe requires us to find a pioneer group of like-minded industry and government partners, prepared to commit to a real strategy for a real existential climate emergency. Just 50 STRONG Climate Champions in each State, every year for the next decade will see a global movement of 100,000 by 2030. They will be from the Greta Thunberg generation. They will have the same vision, commitment and tenacity. They will help deliver Climate Friendly Travel.

If you share this view and want to be a part of the change, please contact Geoffrey Lipman at [email protected]  or visit our website www.thesunprogram.com

source: International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP)

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister in talks with potential Israeli investors

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Bartlett in talks with potential Israeli investors

Tourism Minister, Hon Edmund Bartlett says major hotel brands in Israel have expressed interest in investing in Jamaica and are expected to visit the island soon.

“I am very happy to share that our meetings in the Mediterranean have been very fruitful. We have met with a number of hoteliers including the luxury brand Brown Hotels. Their properties are a very trendy group, similar to the Hard Rock brand, and I am sure it will be a great addition to our Kingston or Montego Bay offerings,’ said the Minister.

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Brown Hotels is a rapidly-expanding global boutique hotel brand with roots in Tel Aviv. Conceived by native Israelis, Leon Avigad & Nitzan Perry with partner Nir Waizman. Their properties include four hotels in Tel Aviv, two in Jerusalem and one in Croatia.

The Minister also noted that the investors have accepted his invitation to visit Jamaica, and should be in attendance at the upcoming Jamaica Rum Festival.

The Festival, which will take place at place at Hope Gardens on March 9 and 10, is being presented by J. Wray & Nephew Limited’s Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum brand in partnership with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) and the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF). It aims to promote brand Jamaica, boost tourism in Kingston and showcase Jamaica’s cultural excellence in rum, food and music.

“I am looking forward to continuing our discussions when the team arrives in Kingston next month. I am also excited that they will get an opportunity to attend this major food festival we will be hosting in Kingston. This is a potentially big find and they are ready for the Caribbean particularly Jamaica because of our music and rum which are so appealing to young people,” said Minister Bartlett.

The Minister is currently in Israel to participate in the Annual International Mediterranean Tourism Market event.

The International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM 2019) is an annual tourism event that brings together professionals and service providers from the tourism industry and introduces new attractions and tourist destinations.

The Minister is expected to return to the island on February 18.