Impressions WTFL 2011

Sustainability in tourism: Challenges, pathways and intelligent business models


Programme (download the Programme)

Optional Programme  (download the optional Programm)

 

Programme WTFL 2011

 

Sustainability in tourism: Challenges, pathways and intelligent business models

Conference host and moderator: Adrian Finighan, Financial journalist and world affairs specialist: BBC, CNN and Al Jazeera  


Wednesday, 13 April 2011, 17.00 – 19.00

Opening Session: Sustainable growth

Do growth and success inherently belong together, or is there “prosperity without growth”, as suggested by Tim Jackson? This session defines the framework for the World Tourism Forum Lucerne 2011 by challenging the way we think about the future of tourism and what it really means to develop businesses successfully.

19.30-23.00:
Welcome cocktails followed by flying dinner for networking at Hotel Montana, Lucerne overlooking Lucerne.
(bus transport)


Thursday, 14 April 2011, 08.30 – 12.15

Todays challenges

The travel and tourism industry relies on numerous complex interactions with natural and cultural resources. Intelligent tourism resource management is central to successful long-term development and calls for a strategic approach in order to ensure sustainable results. Find out how leading companies face the challenges and what it means for your business.

  • David P. Scowsill, President & CEO World Travel & Tourism Council
    Keynote: Balancing economic returns with environmental concerns
  • Stephen Farrant, Director, International Tourism Partnership
    Keynote: Developments towards a responsible industry
  • Bruce Poon Tip, CEO, GAP Adventures
    Keynote: Sustainability as a business model
  • World Café: The participants form small interdisciplinary groups in order to identify new issues, consider unusual perspectives and explore innovative solutions.

12.30 -14.10 Lunch at Hotel Seeburg, Lucerne (on foot or on electric bike)

 

Thursday, 14 April 2011, 14.15 – 18.15

New pathways to change

Trend studies on the future of travel and tourism have identified a steep rise in demand for environmentally responsible products. Because investors are also concerned with sustainable performance of businesses, there is an increasing focus on new opportunities and pathways for businesses to effectively meet these challenges. But what exactly are these pathways? Discover all there is to learn from best practices by attending this session.

  • Roger Wehrli, Head of Research, Institute of Tourism, Lucerne, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts
    Presentation: Is there demand for sustainable tourism?
  • Patrick W. Diemer, Managing Director & Chairman, AirPlus International
    Keynote: Business travel management on its way to a more sustainable industry
  • Prof Geoffrey Lipman, Director, greenearth.travel, Advisor to Secretary General UNWTO
    Keynote: “Gap and trade”: A green economy initiative for education and development
  • Parallel breakout sessions 1 - 7 with expert opinions, best practices and discussions, moderated by professors from our partner universities:

Breakout session 1: Sustainability in destinations: Who pays for it?
Allan Flores, Minister of Tourism, Costa Rica
Ernst A. Brugger, Professor Dr, CEO,  BHP - Brugger and Partners Ltd.
Mariyam Zulfa, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture

Moderated by Prof Urs Wagenseil, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts

Breakout session 2: : Contributing to local heritage and communities?
Potjana Suansri, Director, The Thailand Community-Based Tourism Institute (CBT-I)
Klaus Lengefeld, Senior Advisor Sustainable Tourism, Deutsche Gesellschaft für technische Zusammenarbeit (GZT) GmbH
Achilles V. Constantakopoulos, Managing Director, T.E.MES. SA

Moderated by Dr Bob McKercher The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Breakout session 3: Labelling and willingness to pay for sustainability
Dr Christian Baumgartner, Secretary General, Naturefriends International
Peter Rothwell, CEO, Kuoni Travel Holding Ltd.
Prof Dr. Ercan Turk, University of South Carolina

Moderated by Prof Brent Ritchie, The University of Queensland

Breakout session 4: Visions and concepts for a sustainable mobility
Kati Ihamäki, Vice President Sustainable Development, Finnair
Wolfgang Müller-Pietralla, Head of Future Affairs, Volkswagen

Moderated by Dr Daniel Scott, University of Waterloo

Breakout session 5: CO2 : Do your best and compensate the rest
René Estermann, CEO, myclimate
Paul Steele, Director Aviation Environment, IATA
Olivier Jankovec, Director General, ACI Europe

Moderated by Prof Michael Hitchcock, IMI Switzerland

Breakout session 6: The war for talent
Reto Wittwer, President & CEO, Kempinski Hotels
James Hyde, Senior Client Partner, Korn/Ferry London
Charles Donkor, Partner PricewaterhouseCoopers AG

Moderated by Prof Peter Burns, University of Brighton

Breakout session 7: On the way to a sustainable hospitality 
Dr Wilhelm Bauer, Managing Director, Fraunhofer IAO
Caroline Andrieux, Sustainability Project & Communications Senior Manager, Accor
Moderated by Prof Samira Khelifi-Dubart, Ecole hotelière, Lausanne

  • Louis Palmer, environmental adventurer, Initiator & Director, ZERO EMISSIONS Race
    Insight: Small steps towards real sustainability 
  • Pfuschi, cartoonist
    Summary and outlook

19.30 – 23.00 Cocktails and gala dinner at Hotel Palace, Lucerne (bus transport). Talent Management Award (hosted by Lucerne University of Applied Sciences, Arts and Kempinski and Bucherer) and musical highlights by David Pia and Benjamin Engeli, young artists from Lucerne Festival

 

Friday, 15 April 2011, 08.30 – 13.15

Intelligent business models

At World Tourism Forum Lucerne we believe that sustainability not only requires businesses today to make an extra effort but that it offers great opportunities for developing new ideas. This session will offer insights on how ideas can pave the way for new business models.

  • Rohit Talwar, CEO, Fast Future
    Keynote: Fast Future
  • Panel: Sustainability and the emerging markets
    Indraa Bold, Director of the Governing Board Mongolia National Tourism Organization
    Urs Eberhard    ,      Executive Vice President Markets & MICE, Switzerland Tourism
    Rakesh Mathur, President & CEO, WelcomHeritage Hotels, India
    Mason Florence, Executive Director, Mekong Tourism Office
    Bob McKercher, Professor Tourism School of Hotel and Tourism Management, Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Jeanine Pires, Minister Special Advisor for Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games

  Moderated by Christian Schmicke, editor-in-chief, Travel.one

  • Klaus-Dieter Koch, Managing Partner, Brand:Trust GmbH
    Outlook: Re-think the travel and tourism industry
  • Prof Martin Barth and Adrian Finighan
    Summary and farewell

13.15 – 14.30 Farewell lunch at Swiss Museum of Transport
Start of the optional programme

 

Optional Programme 

The Optional Programme is free of charge for all participants. 

15 April 2011 (Friday afternoon)

Biketec AG, leading E- Bikes manufacturer

Electric mobility is expected to contribute substantially to a more sustainable form of mobility in the future. One of the most important manufacturers of electric bikes in the world is Biketec AG located near Lucerne. We will visit its new factory and try out their bikes during a low-impact ride along a scenic route.

 

 

The UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch

The Entlebuch region is located in the hilly region of the western part of Canton Lucerne, often referred to as The Wild West of Lucerne on account of its well preserved traditions and lifestyles. The UNESCO Biosphere Entlebuch is Switzerland's first and only model region for sustainable development. Numerous projects in tourism, agriculture, manufacturing and handcrafts ensure that economic development takes place in harmony with nature and society.

 

15 April 2011 (Friday Evening)

Lucerne Festival

Lucerne Festival is certainly Lucerne’s most traditional and prestigious event and an absolute must for classical music lovers. Since its beginning in 1938, leading orchestras and soloists from around the world have been coming to Lucerne to perform classical and contemporary music for an international audience. And the Easter Festival offers you the unique opportunity to attend:

Choir Concert in the Jesuit Church

Franz Liszt (1811–1886) «Missa solennis for the Consecration of the Gran Cathedral» («Gran Festival Mass») for soloists, mixed chorus and orchestra

Chorus and Orchestra of the Hochschule «Franz Liszt» Weimar/Choir and Symphony Orchestra of the «Liszt School» of Music Weimar | Akademiechor Luzern (Chorus Master: Stefan Albrecht) | Nicolás Pasquet conductor | Barbara Locher soprano | Caroline Vitale contralto | Hans-Jürg Rickenbacher tenor | Peter Brechbühler bass

 

16 April 2011 (Saturday)

Skiing on mount titlis

Mount Titlis is part of the Engelberg-Titlis region, central Switzerland’s biggest skiing area. The “Top of Central Switzerland” is famous for its spectacular views and great skiing, even in late into spring. You will be provided with all the equipment you need, and an experienced instructor will be there for you throughout the day.

 

Berne, Capital of Switzerland

Switzerland is proud of its particularly beautiful capital Berne, which has been a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site since 1983. You can participate in a guided tour through the medieval old town, enjoy the magnificent views of the Alps, and visit the world famous bear park. Finally, do not miss visiting the House of Parliament, the heart of tradition and Swiss democracy.