Sustainability and Competitiveness: Tourism Potentials and Challenges Transitions from Execution to Competitiveness and Excellence Thursday, 25 January St. Regis Abu Dhabi, UAE Organised by: DCT Abu Dhabi and DED Competitiveness Office of Abu Dhabi In collaboration with: UNWTO Academy
Theme: Advancing Destination Competitiveness Through Strategic Leadership, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Sustainability Conference Objectives: • Foster a deeper understanding of the role of diversity, equity, inclusion, sustainability, and strategic leadership in enhancing destination competitiveness. • Showcase successful practices and strategies that can be adopted by tourism stakeholders. • Facilitate networking and collaboration among industry professionals and organisations. • Inspire participants to contribute to the development of more competitive and responsible tourism destinations. Key Themes: • Destination competitiveness is not solely about economic factors but also about social, environmental, and cultural sustainability. • Embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion leads to more welcoming and competitive destinations. • Sustainable tourism practices benefit both destinations and future generations. MC: • Ali Kashwani, Emirati Artist, DCT Abu Dhabi.
10 AM – 12:30 PM | MORNING SESSION • 10 AM – 10:30 AM | Welcome and Introduction Welcoming remarks by H.E. Saeed Ali Al Fazari, Strategic Affairs Executive Director, DCT Abu Dhabi • 10:30 AM – 10:45 AM | Keynote Address "Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Destination Competitiveness" Expert: Carol Hay, Chief Tourism Officer, McKenzie Gayle Limited & University Lecturer in Business and Tourism Management Objectives: ◦ Explore the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the context of destination competitiveness. ◦ Share successful strategies and best practices for promoting D.E.I. within the tourism industry. ◦ Highlight the benefits of a more inclusive approach to tourism. ◦ Examine the economic and social impact of D.E.I. initiatives on local communities and the broader tourism ecosystem. • 10:45 AM – 12:30 PM | Panel Discussion and Q&A Experts: ◦ H.E. Hareb Al Mheiri, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Residents Office, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development – DED. ◦ Dr. Svetla Ivanova Stoyanova-Bozhkova, Principal Academic in Strategic Management, Executive Level Business Coach and Mentor, Chartered Manager.