Resilient, Digital, Sustainable:
Taking a Journey to Tomorrow’s Tourism and Travel Sector
June 28th | 2.00 pm - 6.00 pm CET
Hybrid Event - On-site Location, Bibliothèque Solvay, Brussels
The Event
Watch the livestream’s replay
Europe’s tourism sector is an important driver of employment and growth, accounting for 10% of EU’s GDP pre-Covid. Yet, after 6 decades of uninterrupted growth, the tourism sector was brought to a near complete standstill by the global pandemic. While the sector is now moving from a survival to a recovery mindset, it is faced with renewed global political uncertainties and a new set of challenges such as mastering the digital transition and responding to ever-evolving consumer attitudes. As an important sector for Europe’s economy, it is important to maintain a robust and competitive tourism industry in Europe.
Join us on June 28 at 2pm CET in the Bibliothèque Solvay in Brussels or digitally to discuss the trends and challenges for the tourism and travel sector post-Covid.
The discussion will kick-off with expert panelists exchanging views on how digital technologies can help manage tourism’s twin transition and will be followed by a Politico Spotlight session focused on decarbonisation of the tourism sector.
The event will conclude with a cocktail reception.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Agenda
14:00 – Registration for on-site guests
Grab a cup of coffee or tea, and meet the other participants before the event kicks off.
14:30 – Welcome remarks
Inge Janssen, Head of Public Affairs EMEA, Booking.com
14:40 – Presentation of Data Driven Impulse, key figures and trends relevant to European tourism
Presented by David Goodger, Managing Director, EMEA at Tourism Economics (an Oxford Economics company)
14:50 – Expert Panel Discussion: The role of digital tools in achieving tourism’s twin transition
- What are the trends in tourism and travel post-pandemic and what do they mean for Europe’s competitiveness in the new age of tourism?
- What is the role of digital technologies in helping address some of the challenges facing the tourism ecosystem post-pandemic?
- How can European SMEs, which make up the majority of Europe’s tourism ecosystem, thrive in a global context and rapidly-evolving sector?
Panelists:
- MEP Cláudia Monteiro De Aguiar, EPP, Portugal, Member of the European Parliament’s Tourism task force
- Marie-Hélène Pradines, Head of Unit – Tourism, DG GROW
- Luís Araújo, President, European Travel Commission and President, Turismo de Portugal
- Peter Lochbihler, Global Head of Public Affairs, Booking.com
- Eric Drésin, Secretary General, ECTAA
Moderated by Catherine Nicholson, European affairs Editor, France24
15:35 – Networking break
Enjoy a coffee break and exchange with your peers.
16:00 – POLITICO’s Spotlight: Tourism in a post-COVID and low-carbon world?
- Remarks by POLITICO’s moderator
- Introductory remarks by our partner Booking.com
- Panel discussion including a Q&A with the audience
- MEP István Ujhelyi, (S&D, Hungary), vice president of the TRAN Committee and member of the European Parliament’s Task force on tourism
- Montserrat Barriga, director general, European Regions Airlines Association
- Daniel Mes, member of cabinet for Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans, responsible for tourism
- William Todts, executive director, Transport & Environment
16:50 – Closing remarks
17:00 – Cocktail reception
Speakers
MEP Cláudia Monteiro De Aguiar
EPP
Portugal
Member of the European Parliament’s Tourism task force
Marie-Hélène Pradines
Head of Unit – Tourism
DG GROW
Luís Araújo
President
European Travel Commission
President
Turismo de Portugal
Peter Lochbihler
Global Head of Public Affairs
Booking.com
Eric Drésin
Secretary General
ECTAA
David Goodger
Managing Director, EMEA
Tourism Economics
(an Oxford Economics company)
Moderator of the Expert Panel Discussion
Catherine Nicholson
European Affairs Editor
France 24
About us
Founded in 1996 in Amsterdam, Booking.com has grown from a small Dutch startup to one of the world’s leading digital travel companies. Part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Booking.com’s mission is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world . By investing in the technology that helps take the friction out of travel, Booking.com seamlessly connects millions of travelers with memorable experiences, a range of transportation options and incredible places to stay – from homes to hotels and much more. As one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces for both established brands and entrepreneurs of all sizes, Booking.com enables properties all over the world to reach a global audience and grow their businesses. Booking.com is available in 44 languages and offers more than 27 million total reported accommodation listings, including more than 6.3 million listings of homes, apartments and other unique places to stay. No matter where you want to go or what you want to do, Booking.com makes it easy and backs it all up with 24/7 customer support.