The first edition of the Tourism Innovation and Transformation Forum being organised by the UAE Ministry of Economy (MOE) in cooperation with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is all set to be kept in Dubai, UAE on November 23, 2016.

The very first forum of its kind committed to innovation and transformation in tourism will facilitate in-depth discussions on the function of development in owning the development of the tourism sector. The forum represents a distinct chance for the tourism community to resolve the growing requirements of business as travel and hospitality continue to be significant enablers of financial development. The industry is constantly enhancing to keep pace with altering market trends and customer preferences, with innovation emerging as a vital issue and essential objective for tourist firms of all sizes who prefer to stick out from the tight competitors through more effective and profitable operations.

Across the area, the tourism industry is undergoing a massive shift in step with changing regional and global tourist patterns. An innovation-based approach is the requirement of the hour, and MOE offers a forum that can cause imaginative transformations in the Arab tourist Industry.

Commenting on the upcoming forum, H.E. Eng. Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, UAE Minister of Economy said: "The UAE has been honing its concentrate on more improving its tourist sector which represents 8.7 per cent of the nationwide GDP and is considered one of the most essential pillars of the domestic economy after oil. Maximum effort is being applied to develop this essential sector through a national tourist strategy which intends to harness innovation to improve the abundant and differed touristic components of the UAE. This complements UAE Vision 2021's goal of developing structures for development across all sectors of the state and society to construct a competitive knowledge-based economy."

" Based on this vision, the Ministry of Economy is pleased to invite you to its pioneering occasion called the 'Innovation and Tourism Transformation Forum' which we are arranging in cooperation with the United Nations World Tourism Organization. Hand in hand with prominent nationwide and international figures in the field of tourist, we shall figure out the best ways to exploit development and innovation to assist attain sustainable tourist development. We will likewise determine innovative and creative services for more improving the appearance of this sector and developing its services per the greatest global standards in pursuit of allowing a qualitative tourist shift that ensures the visitors of the UAE an unforgettable experience."

Over the past decades, tourism has actually become one of the fastest-growing socio-economic sectors in the world. It represents more than 10 percent of the global GDP and 30 per cent of trade in services worldwide. One in 11 jobs worldwide are related to tourism, which has ended up being a financial powerhouse creates opportunities for improving the livelihood of millions of people.

" Innovative technologies have revolutionised travel and tourist and are rapidly altering consumers' behaviours, business models, and destination management processes. The UNWTO is closely keeping an eye on these transformative advancements as a top concern on its agenda and promoting knowledge sharing platforms fixating the effect of technological developments on the competitiveness and sustainability of travel and tourist destinations. The UNWTO applauds the Ministry of Economy of the UAE for starting this online forum and for acknowledging tourism as an essential growth sector. "We applaud the Ministry for its management in planning for the industry's continual development and for promoting collaborations that advance the country's financial and social development policies as it prepares for a post-oil era," said Amr Abdel-Ghaffar, Regional Director, UNWTO.

Roger Carter, CEO, TEAM Tourism Consulting, UK said "The one constant in tourism innovation is change and innovation. The chances and challenges for the tourism organisations are limitless, with a practically constant flow of brand-new applications and organisation models. Keeping up to speed with them and finding out how to maximize them is a major task. This conference will make that task significantly much easier."

Speaking on the format of the online forum, Mohammed Al Mheiri, Undersecretary of UAE Ministry of Economy, stated: "The online forum will start with a CEO round table conversation that will feature a panel of 30 C-level choice makers from the tourism and travel sector. This will be followed by 3 panel discussions to be signed up with by different senior authorities from the public and private sectors as well as market and innovation experts. There will also be 4 workshops on appropriate subjects such as 'Tourism Business Transformation,' 'Destination Transformation Strategies,' 'Smart City Tourism and Visitor Experiences Planning,' and 'Innovative Hotel Guest Experience.'".

The speakers and panellists include Amr Abdel-Ghaffar, Regional Director, UNWTO; Arnaud Collery, Chief Happiness Officer and Corporate Coach, Stand Up for Passion, USA; Roger Carter, CEO, TEAM Tourism Consulting, UK; Sanjay Nadkarni, Director for Innovation and Research, Emirates Academy for Hospitality Management, UAE; Ed Capaldi, The Growth Catalyst, UAE; Martin Berlin, Global Deals Partner, PWC Middle East; Patrick Mangan, Director, Pasmango Consulting, Australia; and Martin Kubler, CEO, sps: affinity, UAE.

The 2016 Tourism Innovation and Transformation Forum is being handled by Ejtemaat Events and will be held at the Westin Al Habtoor City, Dubai, UAE. Please visit www.tourisminnovation.ae to find out more or call the organiser at +971 4 554 1434.