Media Release
World Tourism Forum Lucerne and Deutsche Hospitality team up on New Generation focus
As part of the 2017 "Next Generation Competition", international tourism CEOs and their young top talents will meet up in central Switzerland in May with other leading like-minded professionals from the industry. The global gathering will take place on the eve of the 5th World Tourism Forum Lucerne. The aim (in cooperation with Next Generation partner Deutsche Hospitality) is to encourage multi-generational cross-sectorial exchange and lay a firm career foundation for the next generation of senior managers.
Lucerne, 19 January 2017 – One of the key objectives of the World Tourism Forum Lucerne – to be held in the Swiss lakeside city for the fifth time on 4 and 5 May 2017 – is to promote the sustainable development of this increasingly global industry. It is within this framework that travel and tourism professionals from different generations and levels of corporate hierarchy are integrated into the Forum. They represent such fields as hospitality, tour operating and destinations, as well as the airline and cruise sectors. Most are in the 30-to 40 age group and looking to their next career advancement.
Top up-and-coming talents will therefore accompany CEOs to this year's World Tourism Forum Lucerne on the occasion of the "Next Generation Competition" and be offered the unique opportunity to exchange ideas with other high-profile participants. They will be able to participate actively in discussions on changes and challenges facing the global tourism industry as well as the topic of cross-sectorial talent management promotion.
Martin Barth, President and CEO of the World Tourism Forum Lucerne: "Not for the first time, we're doing exactly what we always say. By integrating the younger generation actively into the Forum we're stimulating in-depth debate on the future of tourism." Previous participants too are convinced of the importance of the "Next Generation Competition". In the words of Darren Leow, now Manager South East Asia of the Singapore Tourism Board: "As one of the Next Generation myself I cannot imagine a more positive platform on which to gain such in-depth insights into the industry."
As part of the "Next Generation Competition" each of the participating young talents will submit an exposé on the topic of "Coopetition" – a pioneering concept embracing interplay between cooperation and competition and which will shape the tourism industry of the future. A specially selected jury will evaluate each submitted concept and announce a "Next Generation Competition" winner. In the view of Puneet Chhatwal, CEO of Next Generation partner Deutsche Hospitality: "These days no one can survive on the market without entering into meaningful cooperations. It will therefore be exciting to see which innovative ideas the young hospitality and tourism talents contribute. We look forward to creative concepts and inspiring exchange with the Next Generation."
The creation of CEO/Next Generation tandems will serve to promote inter-generational exchanges, believes Martin Bath: "We are absolutely convinced of the value of this mentoring concept. Those CEOs and managers who actively encourage their eventual successors make an important contribution to successful and sustainable development of our industry."
Further information concerning the "Next Generation Competition" (including how to register) can be found under www.wtflucerne.org/next-generation-competition
World Tourism Forum Lucerne
The WTFL is an interdisciplinary professional platform which takes place annually, alternately in Lucerne (Switzerland) and – from 2018 – China. It offers decision-makers in business, politics, science and finance an overview of current topics and trends in the global tourism industry. It is the only international platform enabling leading decision makers and emerging young talents in the industry to interact under the Next Generation designation. The World Tourism Forum Lucerne is supported by an international Advisory Board under the chairmanship of Reto Wittwer. The next WTFL will take place from 4 to 5 May 2017.
Deutsche Hospitality
Deutsche Hospitality is the umbrella brand for the companies of Steigenberger Hotels. It comprises Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts, Jaz in the City and IntercityHotel. The Deutsche Hospitality brand embraces a combined total of more than 125 properties on three continents, of which 27 are currently under development. The portfolio includes 56 Steigenberger Hotels and Resorts and 41 IntercityHotels. The first Jaz Hotel opened in Amsterdam in November 2015. www.deutschehospitality.com