AGENDA

May 30

Hosted City & Valley Tour
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Press Conference - Annapurna Hotel
Opening cocktails at hotel

May 31

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Registration and coffee
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Call to order/Opening introductions
Speakers
Event Moderator & Managing Director
Bannikin Travel and Tourism
CEO
Nepal Tourism Board
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal
Morning Keynote

"Outstanding Global Examples of Resiliency" will be reviewed through his seven years of experience as former Secretary General, UNWTO and Chairman of The Resistance Council, Dr. Taleb Rifai will share his insights and identify best practices and lessons learned across the globe.

Speaker
Chairman
The Resilience Council
Session 1: Keynote interview with selected dignitaries

Following Dr Rifai's remarks, this session will address which countries have harnessed the economic driver of tourism and ensured resiliency through proper positioning of the sector.  Global leaders of travel and tourism will discuss case studies and how to continue to thrive and how values in tourism look from global and regional perspectives.  Q&A with

Speakers
Chairman
The Resilience Council
Minister of Tourism
Jamaica Tourism Board
Regional Director
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
CEO
Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
Executive Editor
Travel Weekly Group
Session 2: Sustainability meets resilience in Nepal

A well-known global special interest operator will explain what PEAK looks for in its destination partners regarding resiliency and what they have found unique about Nepal.  A global PR firm, Edelman will share key elements in communicating globally and what expectations are.  In response, speakers will hear what pillars in the local industry think are missed opportunities in marketing Nepal abroad.  The Nepali panelists will showcase Nepal's travel opportunities which drive their inbound traffic in comparison to challenges they have faced or are facing where sustainable tourism leads to resiliency. 

Speakers
Managing Director
PEAK DMC aka Himalayan Encounters
Managing Director
Social Tours
Managing Director
Ace Hotels
CEO
Sabah Nepal
Refreshment break
Session 3: Communication and training

Global experts will share their experiences in communication plans prior to, during and post a crisis. In the age of social media, building trust is a key element in communication. What works and what does not.  After questions, the speakers will share key pointers in communicating and take focused questions on digital mediums and technologies.

Speakers
Event Moderator & Managing Director
Bannikin Travel and Tourism
Director of Strategy
CatchOn
CEO
E-Tourism Frontiers
Founder
Magellan Marketing, Las Vegas
Founder & CEO
PC Agency
Director
Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, Jamaica
Lunch
Session 4: Growing business through local opportunities, impact tourism and cultural heritage

We will look at best practices from global marketing firms who regularly struggle with identifying USPs, fine tuning messaging, pricing tactics, creative direction and communication to encourage business between Asia and Europe.  The session will focus on uncovering true gems within a destination and using tourism to drive social change through innovation.

Speakers
President
Siddharthinc
Director, Middle East and North Africa
Chemonics International
CEO
Global Himalayan Expedition
Country Representative
WWF Nepal
Owner
Rahhalah Adventures and Summiteer
Session 5: Applying data for targeted action

TripAdviser analysis of Asian destinations/resiliency in comparison to key European destinations/resiliency.  Data is playing a significant role in successful push for market share, what tools are out there and how can they be used?

Speakers
Co-Founder/CEO
Tootle
Head of Destination Marketing, APAC
TripAdvisor
Session 6: Maximising opportunities found within cultural diversity

The various beliefs, behaviors and practices that keep society vibrant present a myriad of opportunities and certainly some challenges. Our panel will explore these elements, looking at Eastern and Western norms within the travel industry. What benefits are derived and what concerns need to be addressed, given the demand for deeply experiential travel. Do the geographic dispositions of operators service their targeted customer and how are companies capitalizing yet adapting? What challenges are faced and do these decisions feed into long term sustainability?

Speakers
Founder
Himal South Asian
CEO
Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
Founder & Director
COTRI - China Outbound Tourism Research Institute
President
IIPT - India
Director, Sales and Operations
Zicasso
Head, PR/Media Comms, Travel Safety Expert
World Nomads
CEO
European Tourism Association
Break
Session 7: Bright ideas - future trends

Our panel will discuss the range of opportunities for public private partnerships within the travel and tourism sector in Nepal and what entrepreneurs are doing to make use of these resources.  Who has been successful and why.  How success is measured and are these sustainable programmes with built in resiliency.

Speakers
Managing Partner, Director
Finn Partners
Architect & Co-Chair
Academic Council
Founder
Wild Guanabana
Executive Director
Shashi Holidays
Managing Director
Asian Trekking
Chairman & Managing Director
Success TryAngles
Planet Happiness
Wrap up of the day

Organisers will review the key points & take-aways of the day.

Speakers
Event Moderator & Managing Director
Bannikin Travel and Tourism
Group Business Development Director
Jacobs Media Group
Close
Gala Dinner & presentation of IIPT Awards - Hotel Annapurna
Speakers
Chairman
The Resilience Council
CEO
Nepal Tourism Board
President
IIPT - India
SVP, Corporate Development and Communications
i-Free Group
Manager, Brand Promotion & Corporate Branding
Nepal Tourism Board
Chairman & Managing Director
Success TryAngles
Secretary at Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation