User:Bellezb/World Green Tourism Abu Dhabi

World Green Tourism Abu Dhabi, the first global event in the region dedicated to the investment and development of sustainable tourism, takes place from 22-24 November 2010 at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The event will provide a unique opportunity for the tourism industry to lead the way in sustainability and influence other sectors in adopting best practice that not only protects the environment but enriches the lives of local communities.

Presented by Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan - Chairman of Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, World Green Tourism Abu Dhabi will run a three day conference supported by an exhibition bringing together regional and international tourism authorities, urban city planners, hotels and resorts, property developers, airlines, key associations, tour operators, green products suppliers and serviceproviders, museums and heritage sites organisations, and universities involved in sustainable tourism.

World Green Tourism Abu Dhabi aims to support and further enhance sustainable tourism in the region and beyond by creating opportunities where industry leaders can meet and discuss immediate challenges and effectively formulate solutions to pressing environmental issues.


 * The Conference. The three day conference features seminars, workshops, panel discussions, site visits, roundtable sessions, careers day and networking dinner.  The conference will challenge businesses and governments to address their present travel policies, as well as demonstrating case studies and success stories from around the region and internationally. Presentations will come from renowned industry experts highlighting solutions and initiatives already available, as well as discussing innovations that will drive the sector forward. The focus of the conference is education, presenting a learning platform for all interested in this growth area.


 * The conference will provide unparalleled expert debate and guidance on topics including:


 * Planning and implementing a green tourism infrastructure
 * Promoting ecotourism
 * Financing sustainable tourism
 * Creating policies and guidelines
 * Investment opportunities in green tourism
 * Reducing the carbon footprint of tourism


 * The Speakers.
 * HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority
 * Hisham Zaazou, First Assistant Minister, Ministry of Tourism - Egypt
 * Hon. Suraphon Svetasreni, Governor, Tourism Authority of Thailand

Her Excellency Maha Khatib, Minister, Tourism & Antiquities - Jordan Ahmed A. Al Nuaimi, Chairman, Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) Luigi Cabrini, Director, Sustainable Development, World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) - Spain George Hickton, Former CEO, Tourism New Zealand James Hogan, CEO, Etihad Airways - UAE Jurgen Ringbeck, Senior Vice President, Booz & Company - Germany Harold Goodwin, Director, International Centre for Responsible Tourism - UK Faith Taylor, VP - Sustainability and Innovation, Wyndham Worldwide - USA Stephen Farrant, Director, International Tourism Partnership, International Business Leaders Forum - UK Arnfinn Oines, Social & Environmental Conscience, Six Senses Resorts and Spas - Thailand Gerald Lawless, Executive Chairman, Jumeirah Group - UAE Jonathan B. Tourtellot, Director - Center for Sustainable Destinations, National Geographic - USA Frederic Launay, CEO, Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort (AWPR) - UAE JP Bergkvist, CEO, SleepWell AB - Sweden Lelei LeLaulu, Co-chairman, Innovation for Sustainable Development Center, Hawaii USA Roddy Gordon, VP - Sales & Marketing, Tamani Hotels & Resorts - UAE Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al Nuaimi, Environment Advisor, Ajman Government - UAE Tony Williams, SVP - Resorts & Projects, Emirates Hotels & Resorts - UAE Louis Hakim, Chairman of Philips Middle East and VP of Royal Philips Electronics - Netherlands Gopinath Parayil, Founder & CEO, The Blue Yonder - India Ibrahim Awad, Managing Director, 7th Sense - UAE Richard Stratton, Managing Director, Cundall - UAE Bruce Poon Tip, Founder, Gap Adventures - Canada Ranjit Gunewardane, Executive Director of Engineering, Emirates Palace - UAE Elizabeth Becker, Author & Journalist, New York Times - USA Mary Mulvey, CEO, Greenbox - Ireland Matthias Leisinger, Head of Corporate Responsibility, Kuoni Group - Switzerland Mansoor Mohamed, Executive Director - Economic, Social Development & Tourism, City of Cape Town - South Africa Jalil Mekouar, Managing Director - Hotels MEA & Head of Real Estate Advisory MENA, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels - UAE

Niels Eirik Nertun Director, Environment and Sustainability SAS Group - Norway

Nikki White Head of Destinations and Sustainability ABTA - UK

Birgit Weerts Marine Tourism WWF Germany

Elham Al Qasimi First Emirati Arab Women to reach the North Pole