MASTER CONFERENCE: "Convergence area between capital, tourist destinations and sustainability”

Speaker : William C. Gartner University of Minnesota

STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF ISLAND AS TOURISM DESTINATIONS

Most of the 100.000 islands in the world are at present premier tourism destinations. It is the combination of sun and golden sands that make them irresistible to tourists. Islands need to address the same challenges than continental destinations and also their own weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

All these factors will be discuss during the congress by tourism management representatives from some of the world top islands destinations.

Moderator: Marcelo Risi OMT
Ponentes: Pedro Ortún (Director de Turismo de la Comisión Europea)
                  Francisco Javier Piñanes (Subdirector General de Estrategias y Servicios al Sector Turístico de Turespaña)
                  José Regidor (Rector de la Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria)
                  José Miguel Bravo de Laguna (Presidente del Cabildo de Gran Canaria)

ISLANDS SUSTAINABILITY 

Islands are real sustainability labs. They house a large proportion of the planet’s environmental richness but are also more vulnerable to external factors such as tourism.

Being generally crowded spaces, in most cases, can compromise their competitiveness. Management of the water and energy resources as well as residues and mobility are key to secure a sustainable future.

Moderator:  Mariano Chirivella Caballero
Speakers:  Luigi Cabrini Global Sustainable Tourism Council
                   Ingrid Schneider University of Minnesota
                   Angel Luque Escalona University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

                  
        
     
SMART DESTINATION: TECHNOLOGY AND QUALITY TOURISM

Technology has served as an incentive to tourism. Its multiple applications offer a wide range of opportunities to improve the quality, professionalism and efficiency of a destination. 

Information and communications technologies are key, from the marketing to the business management stages of the tourism sector, challenging the innovation capacity of the touristic enterprises to adapt to continuous changes.

Moderator: Roberto Moreno Gobierno de Canarias/ULPGC
Speakers: Javier González-Soria ConnectedtoGo
                  Enrique Lancis Director de Tecnología de Segittur
                  Zheng Xiang Virginia Tech
                  Pablo Casado Endesa
                Javier Álvarez Vodafone

SERVICES PROVIDERS FOR TOURISTIC DESTINATIONS 

Tourist motivations change as time goes by and become more demanding and sophisticated. To meet the demands, destinations need to offer better services and new products, improving the quality of restaurants and the choice of sport and leisure activities.

This new approach to tourism provide a whole range of work opportunities and sets the differences among the totality of touristic destinations. Only those capable to meet the customer increasingly demanding expectations will succeed.

Moderator: María Ley Turespaña
Speakers:  René Egli Surf Canarias
                   Wendy López Trejo Consultora
                   Santiago Guerra Bimbo
                   Pedro Cantero Grupo Aspro Park - Canarias
                   Antonio Medina Fenorte

FILM INDUSTRY AND ITS IMPACT ON TOURISM

Film industry has a direct impact on tourism, from hotels occupancy and services demanded by this sector to the publicity it gives to the destinations chosen.

The last few years, the Canary Islands have managed to position themselves among the world top choices for film producers. Tax breaks have been also introduced as an incentive to the film industry to favour the islands to other consolidated destinations.

Moderator: Luis Roca Periodista/escritor cinematográfico
Speakers: Andrés Santana Productor
                    Adrián Guerra Productor
                    Piluca Querol Spain Film Comission
                    Paulino Cuevas Consultor
                    Sair Aziz Investigador
                    Goya Toledo Actriz

THE NEW DIGITAL TRAVELLERS

The flow of information and ideas Exchange between bloggers and touristic destinations where they travel to is the objective of the first Bloggers meeting promoted by the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Hall. During this meeting, five specialists will study the importance of bloggers opinions on making a destination popular among travellers as travel bloggers are one of the main sources of information for them. Bloggers and specialists will give their opinion on new tendencies and products.

Moderador: Javier González Soria Connectedtogo
Ponentes:  Javier Mazorra www.ocholeguas.com
                    Nani Arenas www.laviajeraempedernida.com
                    Pedro Jareño www.minube.com