Tag Archives: Dr. Taleb Rifai

FINN Partners announces new strata to their senior leadership team with the creation of the FINN Partners Travel Practice Advisory Board. The founding members of the Advisory Board are travel industry titans Dr. Taleb Rifai and David Scowsill, who between them have over 60 years of senior leadership experience in the travel industry on the global stage.  The creation of the Travel Practice Advisory board was spearheaded by FINN’s Global Travel Practice Leader, Debbie Flynn, with the aim of bringing together senior expertise from FINN’s global health, tech, public affairs and sustainability practices to further support current and future destination and travel clients on the road to recovery from the impact of the global pandemic. Dr. Taleb Rifai was secretary-general of the World Tourism Organisation, leading the UNWTO from 2009 for two consecutive terms ending in 2018.  Taleb has an extensive background in international and national public service, the public sector and academia and held several ministerial portfolios in the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (2000-2004). Taleb’s experience working alongside international Governments affords him a high level of influence at a critical time for the recovery of the travel industry globally. David Scowsill spent seven years of his impressive career as President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and has developed an unparalleled network in both private and public sectors. Prior to his time leading WTTC, David’s executive career included leadership positions with: Opodo; the pan European online travel agency, British Airways; American Airlines and Hilton.   David’s global commercial and operational executive experience has given him a business and cultural understanding of all parts of the world. Peter Finn, Founding Partner, FINN Partners Commented: …

WTM London and ITIC will come up together to host a tourism investment summit that will help recover businesses and restore travellers’ confidence after the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference aims to explain the financial mechanisms that allow travel companies to recover and rebuild. Investment experts will also give guidelines on how to prepare for any other future global disaster. Dr. Taleb Rifai, Chairman of ITIC and former Secretary-General of UNWTO said, “It is a great honour and a privilege for ITIC to partner with WTM, the greatest and most impactful Tourism Trade Show in the world. It will focus to prepare a comprehensive tourism recovery plan, to rebuild destinations, encourage innovation and investment, and rethink the tourism sector”. Ibrahim Ayoub, Group CEO, MD and Organiser of ITIC said, “We are thrilled to partner with WTM for our third tourism investment conference where Ministers, Policy Makers, Tourism Leaders and Projects Owners will engage with Investors and Private Equity firms to discuss and explore new financial mechanisms and alliances in sustainable investments in the industry and readying for market recovery in the post COVID-19 era”. Simon Press says, “Our virtual event provides us with the opportunity to work closely with the global travel professionals and ensure we can support the industry in recovering, rebuilding and innovating as quickly and efficiently as possible. “WTM Virtual will embrace travel professional’s communities around the globe. We’re very excited to provide to our clients and visitors the opportunity to attend both shows: live and virtual this year”.

A joint survey conducted by the Ivy Alliance Tourism Consulting, China Comfort Travel Group (CCT), and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), was discussed by a panel of experts during the three-day ATM Virtual event. The Virtual ATM China Tourism Forum, took an in-depth look at the potential of the Chinese outbound leisure market post COVID-19’s closed borders and what overseas destinations and attractions can do to reassure and convince Chinese tourists, that their destination is safe to visit. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director Middle East, Arabian Travel Market, said, “In China we are already witnessing the green-shoots of recovery and many industry experts are looking to China to kickstart international tourism.” Dr. Taleb Rifai, Chairman, International Institute of Peace for Tourism (IIPT) and former Secretary General of the UNWTO said, “After 9/11, people had to get used to security restrictions such as removing their shoes and belts, no liquids, now that is a way of life. People are now afraid to travel, but things will change, new protocols will be introduced and the quicker that happens the more trust and confidence will be communicated, bringing travellers back.” Helen Shapovalova, Founder & Director, Pan Ukraine commented Shopping has always been a top attraction for Chinese tourists especially “luxury goods and Lisa Dinh, expected changes here as well, balancing risk management with the customer experience. “Trust is the new currency. The demand is still there, but health and safety and relationship building will be key. Training will be essential to changing mindset.” Returning to the survey, nearly half of those questioned said they preferred group tours but given the coronavirus outbreak, many Chinese would now travel, in smaller groups catering for better social …

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) has confirmed that Dr. Taleb Rifai, Chairman of the International Tourism & Investment Conference (ITIC) and former UNWTO Secretary-General will host a virtual summit as part of ATM Virtual. The summit, which is titled ‘Restructuring to Attract Sustainable Development and Customers in the New World Order’ will take place on Wednesday June 3 between 12.15pm – 1.45pm GST (9.15am – 10.45am BST). The session will examine sustainable investment measures for the Middle East travel and tourism sector and the strategies to restore travellers’ confidence post-pandemic. “We are living in unprecedented times for the tourism industry, which is facing its toughest challenge ever. Stay home means no travel, and no travel means no tourism. This ITIC summit is vital at this critical time and I am therefore pleased to be part of ATM Virtual, who I commend for facing the challenges and ensuring the industry is in direct contact during these difficult times,” said Dr. Rifai. The panel discussions will also focus on the part governments must play in helping sector recovery, the expectations of the industry going forward, and how travel and tourism businesses can plan for their financial future. Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said, “We are delighted to be working with ITIC to reflect on the financial impact COVID-19 has had on the tourism sector and to garner their insights and advice on strategies to restore visitor confidence and how the industry can begin to recover during these difficult times.” “We must all think together, out of the box, and imaginatively. This is our real historic test. The Middle East has proven in the past that it is robust and can …