Conference Programme

Speakers include:

o The Honourable José Sócrates, Prime Minister of Portugal,
o The Honourable Manuel Pinho, Minister of Economy and Innovation
o Geoffrey Kent, Chairman, World Travel & Tourism Council
o Manuel Fernando Espírito Santo, Chairman, Espírito Santo Tourism
o Mr Wang, Vice Chairman, China National Tourism Administration
o Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President, World Travel & Tourism Council (Summit Master of Ceremonies)

4.2% annual growth in Travel & Tourism

Igniting Markets of Growth

In recent years, CEOs have been judged by their success in rationalisation, streamlining and cutting unnecessary costs. Now, such conventional approaches to leadership face a new challenge – unprecedented growth. Today, CEOs must find ways to project their 'lean teams' and compact companies into a future of rising global demand, faster change, and new questions. How do CEOs respond to the opportunities? Is there new scope not only for new profits, but also for new priorities and responsibilities, balancing business needs with cultural, social and environmental factors? What visions and strategies drive the leaders of dynamic companies and industries? And what can we learn from them?

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2.6% growth in government expenditure

The Growth Agenda

Infrastructure in most of the world's major Travel & Tourism economies is facing serious capacity challenges and functional constraints. It is simply incapable of coping with accelerating global demand. The development of airports or roads is also often delayed by misguided priorities,
red-tape, or influential interest groups. Even though the growth clock is ticking, some governments are still indecisive when it comes to providing the hardware (infrastructure) or
the software (regulatory framework) to promote social progress and economic prosperity.

How are governments responding to the opportunities presented by Travel & Tourism growth? Do nations establish long-term goals, and are they the right ones? How are they addressing barriers to growth, balancing security and passenger flow, investment and infrastructure, as well
as human capital? Do communications, diplomacy and partnership feature on their agendas?

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Changing Gears

The exceptional pace of change is obliging management to develop new skills. Opportunities and risks in today's open business environment require new approaches to strategy and to implementation.
Rapid growth, new markets, and ever-changing consumer trends all impose unprecedented challenges. To meet these demands, novel solutions and techniques are needed, to financing, human capital, technologies and marketing.

Can supply keep pace? Are businesses innovating, planning and delivering successful services and products? What can we learn from the industry's most successful brands?

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The balance of power in commerce has shifted dramatically in recent times among producers, distributors and consumers. While technology – particularly web technology has enabled businesses to understand their customers better than ever, it has also empowered consumers as never before. Who’s really in control of your business? Do you lead the consumer or follow the consumer? Technology has forever altered the balance between innovation and customer preference -- how is that playing out in the travel industry?

234 million jobs worldwide

Do we really deliver on our promises?

Our industry generates employment, creates economic prosperity and can even help cement international understanding and peace. Beyond the volume of jobs, number of travellers and destinations, it is time for a critical examination of the nature of our industry's real impact on individuals, communities and nations.

Is it really possible for the industry to bring useful change to people's lives, to their communities, and to global society? Can Travel & Tourism help regions affected
by poverty and conflict to prosper and can Travel & Tourism play its role as a
World Citizen? Can we identify where this has been achieved
- or is the industry stronger on rhetoric than reality?

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10.3% of global GDP

The risk of an energy crisis is forcing a re-think on consumption levels, efficiency, and alternatives. Know-how is being developed and already Travel & Tourism leaders are working on making a real difference, not only on the carbon footprint of their activities, but also the overall impact of Travel & Tourism on our natural environment.

Rather than demonising any industry or activity, the task now for individuals, corporations, communities and governments, is to cut through misconceptions and to work on realizing practical solutions for a sustainable future. What will be the impact of climate change and global warming on our industry, both directly and as a result of the surge of public pressure? Are realistic solutions at hand? Can our industry take a leadership role?

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Special Address: The Honourable Aníbal Cavaco Silva, President of the Portuguese Republic

4.6% capital investment growth

The Landscape of Travel & Tourism

The Travel & Tourism industry's impact on urban and natural environments is significant. While so much emphasis is placed on protecting historical assets and monumental heritage, are the same principles applied to design and architecture of today? How does this translate to resorts, cities and a world for the future? How can the industry adapt the design and architecture of airports, resorts and all other physical assets to benefit from and contribute to the natural and cultural assets that the industry's livelihood depends on?

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