Tourism faces uncertainty says leading sustainability forum A World for Travel, put on by Eventiz and Global Travel and Tourism Council.
The sixth edition of the event kicked off today to tackle geopolitical, economic, environmental, social and technological shifts.
On 30-31 October, the event aims to mark the next step – from declarations to actual delivery of these promises.
For three days, ministers, CEOs, investors, experts and academics will meet at the Hôtel de l’Industrie, a historic symbol of French innovation and debate, to translate vision into measurable transformation.
“Uncertainty tests not only our models but our values,” said Christian Delom, secretary general of A World For Travel.
“The challenge now is to transform instability into innovation – to make tourism not a spectator of global change, but one of its most constructive forces.”
Among the leading speakers, Serge Papin, minister, small and medium-sized enterprises, trade, crafts, tourism, and purchasing power, Republic of France, and Gabriel Attal, former Prime Minister of France, will address Europe’s role in navigating geopolitical turbulence.
Thomas Gratowski of the Boston Consulting Group will explore the “10 Forces Reshaping Global Business”, while Palestinian peacebuilder Aziz Abu Sarah, CEO of MEJDI Tours, will share how tourism can foster reconciliation and understanding in divided regions.
Laurence Monnoyer-Smith, vice president, sustainable development, CNES, French National Space Agency will remind us that the path to a more sustainable travel industry is not only mapped on Earth’s surface, but also written in the stars
Other participants include ministers, senior executives from Air France/KLM, Radisson Hotel Group, Pierre & Vacances Center Parcs, Booking.com, SNCF Connect & Tech, Amadeus, Trip.com Group, AXA Partners, Choose Paris Region, and the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.
“Trust in insurers to mitigate the impact of emerging crises is increasing by 3 percentage points since 2021, reflecting the insurance sector’s growing position as a pivotal actor in risk management, with 89% of experts and 72% of the general public deeming its role decisive”, said Alastair Crossley, global head of travel solutions.
While Jane McFadzean, senior director global sustainability, shared the Chinese-owned OTA’s plans: “Our goal is to use technology and partnerships to make lower-impact options visible, accessible, and appealing. We aim to provide improved sustainable options to every traveller so that they can contribute to a more sustainable future.”
Lucas Bobes, group environmental officer and head of sustainability, cemented the company’s position on how to address this issue.
He said: “Advancing global sustainability demands persistence and consistency to foster alignment and coordinated action.”
This mindset has been echoed by travel industry players such as Radisson Hotel Group.
“RHG is creating a future of hospitality that’s deeply responsible, genuinely regenerative and open to all,” said Inge Huijbrechts, global chief of sustainability & security; Board Member of Radisson Hotel Group.
The company already has two live hotels running as verified Net Zero.
“By staying with us, guests join a movement that builds trust with people, planet and places — because together, we travel not just in the world, but for the world,” she added.
The two-day conference will also hear how technology is driving awareness, distribution and profitability in a panel moderated by Travolution editor, Kate Harden-England.
She will be joined by experts from Airbus, Booking.com, easyJet, Fliggy, and Roland Berger.
