Airbnb, APEC Tourism Working Group & NCAPEC To Host Virtual Tourism Forum
Travel Reimagined: An Airbnb and APEC Tourism Forum held in conjunction with the APEC 2020 Tourism Ministerial
APEC and Airbnb are co-hosting a series of digital forums on November 3, 6 and 11, 2020 to explore how travel has changed and how it can be reimagined for the better in the future.
Travel Reimagined: an APEC and Airbnb Tourism Forum will discuss the future of tourism and tourism recovery across APEC economies. Speakers include Tan Sri Dr. Rebecca Sta Maria, Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat; Mr Keith Tan, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board; Mr Rafat Ali, CEO and Founder, Skift; Assistant Professor Dr Jutamas (Jan) Wisansing, Member, Strategic Team, Thailand Ministry of Tourism and Sports; Mr Yew Heng Lim, Regional Head of Public Affairs, Grab; and Mr Chris Lehane, SVP for Global Policy and Communications, Airbnb.
The Forum is jointly organised by the APEC Tourism Working Group and the National Center for APEC (NCAPEC) and Airbnb. Chaired by Malaysia in 2020, followed by New Zealand and Thailand in 2021 and 2022, the APEC Tourism Working Group prioritized this forum in its Strategic Plan for 2020-2024 to promote digital transformation in the tourism sector especially during such crucial times.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has left an indelible mark on the world at large. Travel and tourism in particular have been forever changed, and as economies and markets gradually look to reopen across the region, it’s clear that the future of the industry will be shaped by our collective efforts. In particular, we have an opportunity to work together to advance a form of healthy travel that will best advance the recovery of local economies by making sure the benefits of travel and tourism are local, authentic, diverse, inclusive and sustainable. We are delighted to collaborate with the APEC Tourism Working Group and NCAPEC to reimagine the future of travel, and look forward to sharing and exchanging perspectives with other industry leaders and key stakeholders to help support tourism recovery,” said Chris Lehane, Senior Vice President, Policy and Communications, Airbnb.
The full list of speakers and further details on the Forum can be found here.