The Global Tourism Forum Annual Meeting 2025 Brussels
Program
Venue: Royal Museum of Fine Arts – Belgium
DAY 1: Monday, October 20, 2025
08:30 – 09:30
Registration
09:30 – 09:45
Opening of Global Tourism Forum Annual Meeting 2025
The Global Tourism Forum Annual Meeting 2025 will commence with a prestigious opening session
that sets the tone for two days of high-level dialogue, innovation, and collaboration. Featuring
welcome remarks from distinguished global leaders and forum executives, the session will highlight
the Forum’s vision for reshaping global tourism through investment, sustainability, and strategic
cooperation.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
A ceremonial ribbon-cutting will mark the official launch of the Global Tourism Forum Annual
Meeting 2025. This symbolic moment, led by heads of state, ministers, and industry pioneers, will
signify the beginning of a landmark gathering that brings together global stakeholders to shape the
future of tourism.
H.E. Shaikha Al Nowais – Secretary General Elect – United Nations Tourism
09:45-10:15
Opening Speech
H.E. Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan, Former President and Special Envoy of the President Maldives
H.E. Didier MAZENEGA MUKANZU, Minister of Tourism of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Jean-Jacques Morin – Group Deputy CEO and Premium, Midscale & Economy Division CEO, Accor
Bulut Bağcı – President World Tourism Forum Institute
10:15-10:55
Women in Tourism: Empowering Leadership for a More Inclusive Future
One to One Session
Moderator : Hala Matar Choufany
Shaikha Al Nowais – Secretary General Elected – United Nations Tourism
10:55-11:10
Coffee Break
Updated: 02.10.2025
World Tourism Forum Institute
11:10-11:25
Europe’s Aviation Vision 2050-A Competitive, Connected and Sustainable Future
Tania Cardoso Simoes – Director Aviation Transformation, Eurocontrol
11:25-11:45
Fireside Chat: Airports 2030: Hubs of the Future
Moderator: Laura Buckwell- TV News Anchor
Paul Griffiths- CEO Dubai Airports
11:45-12:20
Tourism in the New World Order: Geopolitics, Power Shifts & Emerging Blocs
Moderator: Bulut Bağcı – President World Tourism Forum Institute
H.E. Kuban Omuraliev – Secretary General of Organization of Turkic States
H.E. Dimitris Avramopoulos – European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship
(2014-2019), European Commission
Ambassador Michael B. Christides – Secretary General, Black Sea Economic Corporation (2015-2021)
H.E Simonida Kordic, Minister of Tourism of Montenegro and Chairperson of the UN
Tourism Commission for Europe
12:10 – 12:30
Shifting Priorities, The Evolving Economics of Global Travel
Dr.Senthil Gopinath – CEO, International Congress and Convention Association
12:40-13:10
Leading the Future of Tourism: Insights from the Top
Moderator : Ambassador Michael B. Christides – Secretary General, Black Sea Economic
Corporation (2015-2021)
Susanne Andersson – CEO, Visit Sweden
Angela Gerekou – President, Greek National Tourism Organization (2019-2025)
Arnar Már Ólafsson – Director General, Icelandic Tourist Board
Anouk van Eekelen – Director of Destination Development, Netherlands Board of Tourism &
Conventions
13:10-13:40
TechFront:AI & Tourism – The $500 Billion Transformation
Moderator: Laura Buckwell- TV News Anchor
Luca Zambello – CEO, Jurny
Weynand Kuajpers – Co-Founder and CTO, Skapr Technologaes
Max Rangeley – Founder and CEO, ReboundTAG
Musa Toktas – CTO, HOI Holdang
13:40-14:20
Airport Infrastructure Revolution- Building for 2035 and Beyond
Moderator – Olavaer Jankovec-Director General, ACI EUROPE
Session Sponsor Slot, Athens Airport
World Tourism Forum Institute
Curtas Grad-Partner, Madalas Infrastructure
Alberto Ruaz-EU Business Development Darector,Vanca
Kam Jendu-CEO,AGS Group
14:20-14:40
Keynote Speech: The Role of Boutique Hotels in Shaping Authentic Travel Experiences
Levent Doğru Deputy Chairman, Taffany Hotels Cuba
14:40-15:00
Coffee Break
15:00 – 15:30
Global Leadership for a New Tourism Economy
Moderator : Ozgul Ozkan Yavuz – Board Member, Turkish Airlines, Former Deputy Manaster of
Culture and Tourism of Türkiye (2019-2023)
H.E. Thoraq Ibraham, Manaster of Tourism and Environment Maldives
Jan Fluxa – Deputy Manaster of Regional Development Ministry of the Czech Republic
Fuad Naghayev – Chaarman, Azerbaijan’s State Tourism Agency
Dr. Eduardo Santander – CEO/ Executive Director, European Travel Commission (ETC)
15:30 – 16:10
CEO Boardroom
Moderator: Bulut Bağcı – President World Tourism Forum Institute
Salman Gasam – CEO, Swiss Hospitality Company and Vice President, Sauda European
Central Western Business Council
Abad Butt – Board Member and Former Group chief executive officer, Assets Group
Martan Boyle – CEO, International Association of Professional Congress Organizers – IAPCO
Shamsah Fatama Dhala – Global Manager, Tourism, Retaal and Property, International
Finance Corporation (IFC)
Gragory Avetov, CEO of Mega Campus
16:10 – 16:50
Digital Aviation-AI, Automation and the Future of Flight
Moderator :Olga Flemang- Founder Oruga Group
Belman Pascal-Head of EU Aviation and Regulatory Affairs ,AIRBUS
Jose Ignacao Rexach- chief commercial officer, eHang
16:50-17:05
Keynote Speech
Edanur Hardal – Senior Sustainability Analyst, Ecovadis
DAY 2: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
10:00 – 10:30
NextGen Policy Lab: Innovations in Public-Private Partnerships
Eduardo Pedrosa – Executive Director, APEC Secretariat (5 man vadeo)
José Carlos Díez – Economist
H.E Hugues MBADINGA MADIYA – Manaster of Investment Promotion, Public – Private
Partnerships, and Business Climate Improvement, Gabon (2019-2023)
10:30 – 11:20
Destination 2050: Smart Cities & the Future of Place-Making
Moderator: Lee Anne Sanger-Partner – Southern Africa Consulting HVS
Sabane Wendt -CEO, Visit Berlan
Abdulazaz Ala Al-Mawlawa – CEO, Visit Qatar
José Ramón BAUZÁ DÍAZ – Former Presadent of Balearac Island and Member of European
Parliament
Patrick Bontanck – CEO, Visit Brussels
Eleonora Orso – Policy and Forum Officer, Euro cities
11:20 – 12:00
Financing the future-Aviation Investment and development strategies 2025-2030
12:00 – 12:15
Saudi Arabia: The New Global Gateway, Unlocking Extraordinary Experiences for Europe’s
Travelers
Mohammed Ovaas – Head of Aviation & Security, Public Investment Fund ( PIF)
12:15 – 12:20
Keynote Message from the EU’s Tourism TOP (5 min video)
Apostolos Tzatzakostas – Commissioner for Tourism and Transport, European Commission
12:20 – 12:40
Coffee Break
Updated: 02.10.2025
World Tourism Forum Institute
12:40 – 13:30
Africa Ascending: Tourism for Infrastructure, Youth Employment & Investment
Moderator: H.E. Abulfas Garayev, Manaster – Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan (2006-2018)
H.E. Sheraf Fathy – Manaster of Tourism and Antiquates, Egypt
H.E. Abla Dzafa Gomashae – The Manaster for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts,
Republic of Ghana
H.E. Fredson Bacar – Secretary of State of Tourism – Ministry of Economy, Mozambique
H.E. Marco de Jesus Lopez – Minister of Tourism, Angola
H.E. Hannatu Musa Musawa – Manaster of Tourism and Culture, Nigeria
H.E. Abdoulie Jobe – Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Gambia
H.E. Najab Balala – Former Manaster of Tourism and Wildlife, Kenya
13:30 – 14:00
Capital Connect: Private Equity & Sovereign Wealth Funds in Hospitality
Moderator: Abad Butt – Board Member and Former Group Chief Executive Officer, Assets Group
Olavaer Granet – Managang Partner | Co-Chief Executive Officer , Kasada Capital
Management
Hala Matar Choufany, President – HVS Maddle East, Africa and South Asia
14:00 – 14:15
Tourism Titans
Justin Read, Senior Independent Director, Hotels and Growth at Tripadvisor
14:15 – 15:00
Sustainable Aviation-From Mandate to Market Reality
Moderator: CIRIUM (TBC)
Maan Aviation Partner Slot, TURKISH AIRLINES
Donal Handley – Head of Government Affairs and Sustainability, AERCAP
Laam Benham – Presadent EU NATO and Government Affairs, Europe BOEING
15:00 – 15:30
New Media & Destination Dynamics: Shaping Travel Through Influence
Moderator and Speaker: Juergen Steanmetz, CEO TravelNewsGroup
Luckson Zambuko-Founder – African Youth an Tourism and Hospitality Association (AYTHA)
Mahmood Abdulla-Global Emirate Vice-Lankedan Top Influencer
15:30 – 16:00
Immersive Economy: The Convergence of AI & Hospitality
Moderator: Laura Buckwell- TV News Anchor
Emil Alon – CEO, Resonai
Ylka Reass – Vice President of Strategic Alliance, aD Tech
Updated: 02.10.2025
World Tourism Forum Institute
16:00 – 16:15
Blue Economy Futures: Shipbuilding at the Crossroads of Trade, Tourism, Sustainable Growth,
and Ocean Stewardship
Kristijan Curavic – President, OACM Group
16:15-16:35
Medical Tourism
Moderator: Muthri South Hataali, SVP, MENA Region
