Jessica Berk Ross
Friday Oct 30 – Hôtel de l’Industrie
The New Destination Equation
Growth. Value. Place. People. Resilience. Who sets the balance? For decades, destination success had a relatively simple equation: more visitors, more spending, more growth. That equation no longer holds. Today, destinations must remain competitive while managing growth, protecting cultural and natural assets, securing investment, adapting to climate risk, responding to geopolitical shifts and maintaining the support of the people who live there. So what does destination success look like now and who gets to define it? The New Destination Equation brings together global tourism and cultural policy perspectives to explore how destinations can move from attracting demand to actively shaping the value tourism creates: economically, socially, culturally and environmentally. Moderator: Jessica Berk Ross, Partner Global Affairs, Finn Partners
- Isabel Hill, Former Director, National Travel and Tourism Office at U.S. Department of Commerce.
- Nayef H. Al-Fayez, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture.
Friday Oct 31
Industry Leaders Responding to Climate Change
As climate change accelerates, the travel and tourism sector stands at a pivotal crossroads. From rising sea levels and extreme weather to shifting traveler expectations and regulatory pressure, the need for urgent, coordinated climate action is clear. In this session, global industry leaders—from airlines and hospitality to destinations and DMOs—share how they are moving from commitments to concrete implementation. Panelists will explore strategies to reduce emissions, adapt infrastructure, and invest in climate resilience while maintaining competitiveness and community value. Discussions will include decarbonization of operations, waste management, bio-fuels, sustainable destination planning, climate risk assessments, and the growing importance of climate transparency in investment and marketing. How travel leaders are navigating climate realities with vision, accountability, and a deep sense of shared responsibility.
- Diane Binder, Head of Global Accelerators, World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance [UK]
- Sébastien Justum, Deputy Secretary General, Air France/KLM Group [France]
- Elkie Nicholas, CMO, Zeero Group [UK]
- Tim Van Hattum, Program Leader Green Climate Solutions, Environmental Sciences Group, Wageningen University & Research [Netherlands]
- Ben Lyman, Global Head of Communications and Research, Travel Foundation [UK]