Skift Global Forum East 2023 - Skift Live

sessions
Speakers
Agenda
Sponsors

Crowd full of attendees watching the stage and clapping in Dubai

Sessions

Speakers

Chief Commercial Officer

Emirates Airline

Chief Commercial Officer

Commercial Director

Head of Asset Management

Boon Sian Chai Managing Director and Vice President of International Markets at Trip.com Group. Boon will be speaking at Skift Global Forum East 2023 in Dubai.

Managing Director and Vice President, International Markets

Carlo Olejniczak, VP and Managing Director of Europe and EMEA at Booking.com. Speaker at Skift Global Forum East 2022 and 2023

Carlo Olejniczak

VP and Managing Director of Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)

Global Hotel Alliance

Chief Operating Officer

Kerten Hospitality

Claudio Bellinzona is Chief Supply Officer for TUI Musement, the Tours & Activities division of TUI Group, one of the world’s leading tourism businesses. Speaker of Skift Global Forum East 2023.

Claudio Bellinzona

Growth Strategy Consultant

Global Head of Travel Partnerships EMEA

Dr. Saleh Shoaib

Public Policy Lead, Gulf Region & Egypt

Head of Travel Sales

Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM). Speaker at Skift Global Forum East 2023.

Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing

Jeremy Kressmann

Research Editor, SkiftX

Co-Founder & Business Development Director

dnata Travel Group

Chief Commercial Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy Division in Middle East, Africa, Turkey & Asia Pacific

Director, Wellness

Atlantis The Royal AWAKEN Wellness

MENA Sales Lead, Travel, Automotive, Tech and FMCG

COO and Head of Hospitality

Emaar Hospitality Group

Sound Therapy Master

Sonic Temple, UAE

Michael P. Zeisser, Managing Partner at FMZ Ventures. Speaker at Skift Global Forum East 2023 in Dubai.

Michael P. Zeisser

Managing Partner

Managing Director

HSMAI Middle East

Muzzammil Ahussain

Chief Executive Officer

Senior Director

Managing Partner

Philippe Zuber Kerzner

Kerzner International

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority

Richard, Senior Analyst at Bernstein covering the Global Hotels and OTAs sector: Booking, Expedia, Tripadvisor, Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, IHG, Accor, Whitbread and TUI. Richard is a speaker at Skift Global Forum East 2023.

Managing Director

Ross Borden, CEO & Founder at Matador Network & GuideGeek. He will be speaking at Skift Global Forum 2023 in Dubai.

Matador Network, GuideGeek

CEO & Co-Founder

Sébastien Bazin

Group Chairman & CEO and Luxury & Lifestyle Division CEO

Chief Marketing Officer

Group Head of Global Brand Development

Managing Director, EMEA

Intrepid Travel

Agenda

8:55 am

Welcome
- Rafat Ali
  
  Skift
  
  CEO/Founder
9:05 am

Skift Advisory Presentation: A Big-Picture View on the Region
- Oliver Martin
  
  Skift Advisory
  
  Senior Director
9:20 am

How The Region Will Globalize
- Alex Lee
  
  Jumeirah
  
  Chief Commercial Officer
Moderator
Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit
9:45 am
Taking Regenerative Tourism from Concept to Reality
- Tracy Lanza
  
  Red Sea Global
  
  Group Head of Global Brand Development
Moderator
Carolyn Kremins, President
10:00 am

Driving New Demand and Exploration
- Carlo Olejniczak
  
  Booking.com
  
  VP and Managing Director of Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)
Moderator
Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia
10:30 am

Networking Break
11:00 am

Looking Beyond a Western Lens

Hybrid Session
- Sébastien Bazin
  
  Accor
  
  Group Chairman & CEO and Luxury & Lifestyle Division CEO
Moderator
Rafat Ali – Founder & CEO
11:20 am

A Long-Term View On Global Growth
- Mark Kirby
  
  Emaar Hospitality Group
  
  COO and Head of Hospitality
- Timothy Kelly
  
  Atlantis
  
  President
Moderator
Josh Corder – Middle East Reporter
11:50 am
What Does Travel’s “Next Normal” Look Like?
- Chris Hartley
  
  Global Hotel Alliance
  
  CEO
Moderator
Carolyn Kremins – President
12:00 pm

What’s Coming Next in Luxury Travel
- Jimmy Carroll
  
  Pelorus
  
  Co-Founder & Business Development Director
12:20 pm

Investing in the Experience Economy: Why Now is the Time
- Michael P. Zeisser
  
  FMZ Ventures
  
  Managing Partner
Moderator
Brian Quinn – Head of Programming
12:45 pm

Lunch
1:45 pm
Connecting to the Elements: A Wellness Moment Powered by Atlantis
- Lyndell Nelis
  
  Atlantis The Royal AWAKEN Wellness
  
  Director, Wellness
- Marko Zigon
  
  Sonic Temple, UAE
  
  Sound Therapy Master
2:00 pm

GenAI in Travel: 9 Critical Mistakes to Avoid
- Ross Borden
  
  Matador Network, GuideGeek
  
  CEO & Founder
2:20 pm
Inside Saudi’s Newest Luxury Destination
- Billy Canellas
  
  NEOM
  
  Head of Asset Management
Moderator
Kate Irwin – Managing Director, EMEA
2:35 pm

Accessibility, Accountability, and Indian Weddings
- Raki Phillips
  
  Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority
  
  CEO
Moderator
Joe Naaman – Managing Director, Skift Advisory
2:55 pm
Building the Next Great Travel Platform for Saudi Tourism
- Muzzammil Ahussain
  
  Almosafer
  
  Chief Executive Officer
Moderator
Rafat Ali – Founder & CEO
3:10 pm

How Chinese Travelers Have Evolved
- Boon Sian Chai
  
  Trip.com Group
  
  Managing Director and Vice President, International Markets
Moderator
Peden Bhutia – Asia Editor
3:30 pm

Networking Break
4:00 pm

Defiantly Optimistic on Travel’s Future
- Richard Clarke
  
  AB Bernstein
  
  Managing Director
4:15 pm

Expanding Online Travel for Emerging Markets
- Ross Veitch
  
  Wego
  
  CEO & Co-Founder
Moderator
Middle East Reporter Josh Corder
4:40 pm

Balancing Culture and Modernization
- Amanda Barnett
  
  Visit Oman
  
  Commercial Director
Moderator
Joe Naaman – Managing Director, Skift Advisory
5:00 pm

Connection in the Age of AI
- Hany Abdelkawi
  
  Google
  
  Head of Travel Sales
Moderator
Rafat Ali – Founder & CEO
5:30 pm

A New Era of Travel

Hybrid Session
- Ben Smith
  
  Air France-KLM
  
  CEO
Moderator
Sarah Kopit, Editor-in-Chief, Skift
6:00 pm

Networking Reception

9:00 am

Dubai City Briefing
11:00 am

The Power of Storytelling and Screen Tourism
- Staci Mellman
  
  Brand USA
  
  Chief Marketing Officer
11:25 am

Screens and Storytelling: Why It Matters More Than Ever
- Dr. Saleh Shoaib
  
  Netflix
  
  Public Policy Lead, Gulf Region & Egypt
- Staci Mellman
  
  Brand USA
  
  Chief Marketing Officer
Moderator
Jeremy Kressmann – Head of Studio, SkiftX
11:40 am

Broadening Capacity and Connecting the Globe
- Paul Griffiths
  
  Dubai Airports
  
  CEO
11:55 am

Investing in Dubai’s Air Travel Future
Moderator
Oliver Martin – Senior Director, Skift Advisory
12:25 pm

A Macro View on Travel’s Future
- Issam Kazim
  
  Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing
  
  CEO
Moderator
Rafat Ali – Founder & CEO
12:45 pm

Lunch
1:45 pm

How Dubai and the Middle East Are Transforming Global Tourism
- Jeremy Kressmann
  
  Skift
  
  Research Editor, SkiftX
1:50 pm

Fostering Collaboration and Growth Within The Middle East
- Tony Douglas
  
  Riyadh Air
  
  CEO
Moderator
Peden Bhutia – Asia Editor
2:15 pm

Travel’s Sustainability Transformation
Moderator
Sarah Kopit – Editor-in-Chief
2:45 pm

Reimagining Travel with AI
- Marie De Ducla
  
  Google
  
  MENA Sales Lead, Travel, Automotive, Tech and FMCG
Moderator
Jeremy Kressmann – Head of Studio, SkiftX
2:55 pm

What Chinese Travelers Want Now
- Peggy Li
  
  SPS: Affinity
  
  Managing Partner
3:10 pm

Driving Loyalty, Trust, and Growth
- Kerry Healy
  
  Accor
  
  Chief Commercial Officer, Premium, Midscale & Economy Division in Middle East, Africa, Turkey & Asia Pacific
Moderator
Josh Corder – Middle East Reporter
3:30 pm

Expanding Hospitality’s Range and Opportunity
- Claudio Bellinzona
  
  TUI Musement
  
  Growth Strategy Consultant
- Mona Faraj
  
  HSMAI Middle East
  
  Managing Director
Moderator
Josh Corder – Middle East Reporter
4:00 pm

Inspiring Innovation in Hospitality
- Philippe Zuber
  
  Kerzner International
  
  CEO
Moderator
Sarah Kopit – Editor-in-Chief
4:25 pm

Closing
- Rafat Ali
  
  Skift
  
  CEO/Founder
4:30 pm

Networking Reception

Supported By

Accor

FLYR

Global Hotel Alliance

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="482" height="94" src="https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/f9cf79_362d094c84344e75a2b36c599d6c58bcmv2.webp" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Global Hotel Alliance" srcset="https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/f9cf79_362d094c84344e75a2b36c599d6c58bcmv2.webp 482w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/f9cf79_362d094c84344e75a2b36c599d6c58bcmv2-300x59.webp 300w" sizes="(max-width: 482px) 100vw, 482px" />

Google

NEOM

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="600" height="708" src="https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/FutureLoop_NEOM-e1699991985115-868x1024.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="NEOM" srcset="https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/FutureLoop_NEOM-e1699991985115-868x1024.png 868w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/FutureLoop_NEOM-e1699991985115-254x300.png 254w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/FutureLoop_NEOM-e1699991985115-768x906.png 768w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/FutureLoop_NEOM-e1699991985115-153x180.png 153w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/FutureLoop_NEOM-e1699991985115-305x360.png 305w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/FutureLoop_NEOM-e1699991985115-51x60.png 51w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/FutureLoop_NEOM-e1699991985115-102x120.png 102w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/FutureLoop_NEOM-e1699991985115.png 1107w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" />

Red Sea Global

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="600" height="248" src="https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/RSG_BI_RGB_HORIZONTAL-e1699992199714-1024x423.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Red Sea Global" srcset="https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/RSG_BI_RGB_HORIZONTAL-e1699992199714-1024x423.png 1024w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/RSG_BI_RGB_HORIZONTAL-e1699992199714-300x124.png 300w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/RSG_BI_RGB_HORIZONTAL-e1699992199714-768x317.png 768w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/RSG_BI_RGB_HORIZONTAL-e1699992199714-1536x634.png 1536w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/RSG_BI_RGB_HORIZONTAL-e1699992199714-200x83.png 200w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/RSG_BI_RGB_HORIZONTAL-e1699992199714-400x165.png 400w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/RSG_BI_RGB_HORIZONTAL-e1699992199714-145x60.png 145w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/RSG_BI_RGB_HORIZONTAL-e1699992199714-291x120.png 291w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/RSG_BI_RGB_HORIZONTAL-e1699992199714.png 1929w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" />

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="600" height="332" src="https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CM-ALM-CMY-Logo-Dark-Seera@2x-e1699992260984.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="Seera Group" srcset="https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CM-ALM-CMY-Logo-Dark-Seera@2x-e1699992260984.png 852w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CM-ALM-CMY-Logo-Dark-Seera@2x-e1699992260984-300x166.png 300w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CM-ALM-CMY-Logo-Dark-Seera@2x-e1699992260984-768x425.png 768w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CM-ALM-CMY-Logo-Dark-Seera@2x-e1699992260984-200x111.png 200w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CM-ALM-CMY-Logo-Dark-Seera@2x-e1699992260984-400x222.png 400w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CM-ALM-CMY-Logo-Dark-Seera@2x-e1699992260984-108x60.png 108w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CM-ALM-CMY-Logo-Dark-Seera@2x-e1699992260984-217x120.png 217w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" />

The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residencies

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="600" height="381" src="https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AT_Royal_Dubai_Logo_Gold_CMYK-1-1024x650.png" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="The Royal Atlantis Resort & Residencies" srcset="https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AT_Royal_Dubai_Logo_Gold_CMYK-1-1024x650.png 1024w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AT_Royal_Dubai_Logo_Gold_CMYK-1-300x190.png 300w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AT_Royal_Dubai_Logo_Gold_CMYK-1-768x487.png 768w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AT_Royal_Dubai_Logo_Gold_CMYK-1-200x127.png 200w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AT_Royal_Dubai_Logo_Gold_CMYK-1-400x254.png 400w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AT_Royal_Dubai_Logo_Gold_CMYK-1-95x60.png 95w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AT_Royal_Dubai_Logo_Gold_CMYK-1-189x120.png 189w, https://live.skift.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/AT_Royal_Dubai_Logo_Gold_CMYK-1.png 1210w" sizes="(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px" />

Wego

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