"Outstanding Global Examples of Resiliency" will be reviewed through his seven years of experience as former Secretary General, UNWTO and Chairman of The Resistance Council, Dr. Taleb Rifai will share his insights and identify best practices and lessons learned across the globe.

Following Dr Rifai's remarks, this session will address which countries have harnessed the economic driver of tourism and ensured resiliency through proper positioning of the sector.  Global leaders of travel and tourism will discuss case studies and how to continue to thrive and how values in tourism look from global and regional perspectives.  Q&A with

A well-known global special interest operator will explain what PEAK looks for in its destination partners regarding resiliency and what they have found unique about Nepal.  A global PR firm, Edelman will share key elements in communicating globally and what expectations are.  In response, speakers will hear what pillars in the local industry think are missed opportunities in marketing Nepal abroad.  The Nepali panelists will showcase Nepal's travel opportunities which drive their inbound traffic in comparison to challenges they have faced or are facing where sustainable tourism leads to resiliency. 

Global experts will share their experiences in communication plans prior to, during and post a crisis. In the age of social media, building trust is a key element in communication. What works and what does not.  After questions, the speakers will share key pointers in communicating and take focused questions on digital mediums and technologies.

We will look at best practices from global marketing firms who regularly struggle with identifying USPs, fine tuning messaging, pricing tactics, creative direction and communication to encourage business between Asia and Europe.  The session will focus on uncovering true gems within a destination and using tourism to drive social change through innovation.

TripAdviser analysis of Asian destinations/resiliency in comparison to key European destinations/resiliency.  Data is playing a significant role in successful push for market share, what tools are out there and how can they be used?

The various beliefs, behaviors and practices that keep society vibrant present a myriad of opportunities and certainly some challenges. Our panel will explore these elements, looking at Eastern and Western norms within the travel industry. What benefits are derived and what concerns need to be addressed, given the demand for deeply experiential travel. Do the geographic dispositions of operators service their targeted customer and how are companies capitalizing yet adapting? What challenges are faced and do these decisions feed into long term sustainability?

Our panel will discuss the range of opportunities for public private partnerships within the travel and tourism sector in Nepal and what entrepreneurs are doing to make use of these resources.  Who has been successful and why.  How success is measured and are these sustainable programmes with built in resiliency.

Organisers will review the key points & take-aways of the day.