III Sustainable Destinations Summit
17-18 October 2024, Mallorca, Spain
The Fundació Mallorca Turisme, in collaboration with the Consell de Mallorca and the Sustainable Tourism Observatory (STO Mallorca) and supported by UN Tourism, is pleased to announce the third edition of the Sustainable Destinations Summit. This event will be held on 17th and 18th October 2024 at the Hotel Zoetry Mallorca.
The Summit's agenda includes 1.5 days of panel discussions and interviews, covering a variety of topics from the role of destinations in the sustainability transformation process to diverse perspectives on sustainability and the generation of related evidence.
The Summit will bring together leading experts and high-level decision-makers from across the tourism industry and allied sectors. This gathering aims to facilitate a robust exchange of cutting-edge ideas, successful strategies and impactful experiences. Our goal is to spearhead the transformation of tourism into a significant force for global good.
Additionally, a social program featuring technical visits for the afternoon of Friday, 18th October and on Saturday, 19th October 2024 will be available to all speakers and participants.
Please visit the website for more information.
Welcome remarks
Keynote:
- Ms. Zoritsa Urosevic, Executive Director, UN Tourism
From o-tourism to a-tourism
Buzzwords play a crucial role in our public discussions today, shaping conclusions and positions even before we fully understand the details of an issue. As tourism expands globally, it is imperative that our industry becomes more aware and proactive in explaining, engaging and shaping the future of the industry and the global travel communities it encompasses.
- Mr. Thomas Ellerbeck, Member of the Group Executive Committee and Group Director Corporate & External Affairs, TUI Group
That’s my place to live
Why do famous people choose certain places to live for more than just short holidays? Is it because they have the same good taste as tourists? How do they see the future of these destinations for tourists, residents and themselves?
Moderator: Mr. Andy Stalman, Co Founder & CEO TOTEM Branding
Refreshing sustainable perspectives
The weather perspective:
Weather, often described simply as 'nice', plays a crucial role in shaping tourism. It influences where and when people travel, but its deeper connection to ecosystems and sustainable development is often overlooked. Is chasing sunny skies still the best motivation for travel, or will we come to appreciate the beauty of rain and other weather phenomena as an integral part of our holiday experience? As we look to the future, adapting to changing weather patterns may redefine how we choose and enjoy our destinations.
- Dr. Mario Picazo Soriano, TV presenter and meteorologist, United States of America and Spain
The integrating perspective:
Architecture shapes connections by creating spaces that encourage interaction and community. By reading landscapes and designing in harmony with the environment, it connects people to nature and to each other.
- Mr. Klaus Klaas Loenhart, Architect, Austria
The transport perspective:
Transport is key to travel and tourism. However, when designing transport systems and pursuing sustainable change in the tourism sector, we often encounter significant challenges. Nevertheless, bold and decisive action is not only possible, but should inspire us to realise the full potential of what the tourism sector can achieve.
- Mr. Manfred Häupl, CEO, Hauser Exkursionen
Collective excellence creating remarkable tourist experiences
Key players from the tourism sector will explore the elements of importance and the mechanisms to create the excellence all destinations are aiming for. They will share insights and practical experiences, providing food for thought for inspiring conversations shaping the future of excellence in tourism.
Moderator: Mr. Juanma Martínez, Managing Director, Green & Human
- Mr. Ginés Martínez, Vice President, Alpitour Group
- Ms. María Frontera, President, FEHM (Hotel Business Federation of Mallorca)
- Prof. Dr. Jafar Jafari, Director-Founder of Annals of Tourism Research
Lunch Break
The exclusivity of inclusivity
Inclusivity is a constantly evolving concept but clear is to us todays, that residents play a key role in more destinations around the world. The times when tourism products were merely designed for visitors is long lacking behind and continuously new forms of better integrating, not only models of acceptance, but actually of desired development.
Moderator: Mr. Juanma Martínez, Managing Director, Green & Human
- Mr. Alessandro Marinellii, President, ASPAYM
- Mr. Jonathan Ponstingl, Deputy Head of Destination Development, Visit Berlin
- Mr. Gustavo Alvarado Chaves, Director of Tourism Consulting and Management, Costa Rican Institute of Tourism and Chair of the UN Tourism Committee on Tourism and Sustainability
Precompetitive cooperation and the role of destinations
Pre-competitive cooperation is an important concept in the field of sustainability, guiding successful actions and partnerships. Destinations need to understand the key elements that are important for private sector actors embarking on this journey and enable their actions.
Moderator: Dr. Dirk Glaesser, Director, Sustainable Tourism and Resilience, UN Tourism
- Ms. Swantje Lehners, CEO, Futouris
- Mr. José Juan Lorenzo Rodríguez, Executive Director, Turismo de Islas Canarias
- Mr. Glenn Mandziuk, Chief Executive Officer, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
Supporting destination development
Development institutions are increasingly focusing on destinations, supporting their transformation and seeking sustainable impact through their actions and funding. Recent developments highlight the importance of destinations using integrated approaches, such as observatories, that include regular monitoring and evidence generation.
Moderator: Ms. Susanna Sciacovelli, Tourism Director and Vice President, Mallorca Tourism Foundation
- Ms. Ellen Walker-Matthews, CEO, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), Canada
- Ms. Norhafiza Shafie, Development Economist, UNDP Malaysia
- Mr. Alex Rayón Jerez, Co-Founder and CEO, brainandcode.tech
- Ms. Tenisha Williams-Brown, Inter-American Development Bank
Opening session
- Mr. José Marcial Rodríguez Díaz, Executive Councillor for Tourism, Council of Mallorca
Keynote: Mallorca – The island of tomorrow
- Mr. Andy Stalman, Co Founder & CEO TOTEM Branding presented by Susanna Sciacovelli
- VIDEO
Elements of successful action frameworks
Successful frameworks for action are key to advancing the sustainable transition. Leading stakeholders benefit from the certainty they provide, as well as from the pooled research, comprehensive guidance and robust networking they provide. As a result, frameworks for action play an important role in tourism, catalysing significant impacts that are essential to making the sector more sustainable and resilient.
Moderator: Dr. Dirk Glaesser, Director, Sustainable Tourism and Resilience, UN Tourism
- Dr. Bettina Menne, Senior Policy Adviser, WHO Regional Office for Europe
- Mr. Jorge Schoenenberger General Partner, Travel Tech 2 FCRE
- Ms. Clelia Maria Puzzo, Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), UN Food and Agriculture Organisation Secretariat
Managing environmental insights
Sound data and environmental DNA are just two examples of lesser-known sources of environmental information that are not only becoming available but are also being recognised as valuable for the design and management of sustainable processes and products in destinations or businesses. This panel will focus on some of these sources and discuss their current and future implications for the tourism sector.
Moderator: Ms. Sofía Gutiérrez, Deputy Director, Sustainable Tourism and Resilience, UN Tourism
- Ms. Nicole Yeomans, Lead for Infrastructure and Travel, eDNA - Naturemetrics
- Mr. Leslie Vella, Chief Officer – Strategic Development / Deputy CEO, Malta Tourism Authority
- Ms. Fiona McKenna, Atlantic Sustainable Tourism Observatory, Ireland
The interplay of effective national and subnational cooperation advancing sustainability
Public policies are fundamental not only for the many public goods on which the tourism sector depends, but also for defining the roles and responsibilities that strongly influence the effectiveness and success of actions. This is particularly important when it comes to sustainability and accelerating the transition in this key sector of development and wellbeing for residence.
Moderator: Ms. Cordula Wohlmuther, Director, Regional Department of Europe, UN Tourism
- Ms. Teresa Solis, Industry Expert. Tourism and Regional Development, Deloitte México
- Mr. Arnar Már Ólafsson, Director-General Icelandic Tourist Board
- Ms. Monika Klinger, Head of the International Tourism Affairs Department, Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy, Austria
- Ms. Inés Batle Ericsson, President, Cala Millor Hotel Association, and Coordinator, LIFE AdaptCalaMillor Project
Speaking about sustainability from the heart
What is the best way to speak about sustainability or shall we simply just let other speak about it? There is no ideal approach to this question but any practical insights. What better way than just letting those talk to us who are among those leading the transformation of their destinations.
Moderator: Ms. Susanna Sciacovelli, Tourism Director and Vice President, Mallorca Tourism Foundation
- Mr. Miguel Sanz, Director General at Tourspain
- Mr. Gustavo Alvarado Chaves, Director of Tourism Consulting and Management, Costa Rican Institute of Tourism and Chair of the UN Tourism Committee on Tourism and Sustainability
Closing