The sixth World Tourism Forum Lucerne, which took place in the Lucerne Culture and Congress Centre on May 2 and 3, 2019 focused on innovation, talent and diversity management. More than 550 participants from 80 countries, including CEOs, ambassadors, investors and professors, participated.
The speaker line up was a stellar group of international specialists, including regional icons: Rania Al Mashat, minister of tourism, Arab Republic of Egypt, and Haitham Mattar, CEO, Tourism Development Authority of Ras Al Khaimah. Ras Al Khaimah was highlighted as one of the world’s fastest growing tourism destinations at the event. As the northernmost emirate, it boasts a rich culture and a long-standing history, dating back 7,000 years. Ras Al Khaimah's industry collaborates closely with the government and other stakeholders in order to position itself as an innovative destination with continuing development of its tourism infrastructure, sustainable investment opportunities and enhancement of the quality of life for its residents. The World Tourism Forum Lucerne is a unique platform where the world's leading tourism, travel and hospitality companies meet to build a more sustainable future. It provides decision-makers with in-depth insight into key tourism issues and a unique global network. The World Tourism Forum Lucerne is the only platform that brings together start-ups, next generation leaders and students with investors, government ministers and CEOs. Over the past ten years, the platform has evolved into a year-round network of leaders and innovators from diverse backgrounds (business, education, government, finance and society) who are driving positive changes in the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. With the “Tourism by Tomorrow” initiative launched in 2018, Lucerne became a hub for innovation in the tourism and travel industry. This project is supported by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), the New Regional Policy (NRP), the City of Lucerne and various cooperation and industrial partners such as Bürgenstock Selection and Orascom Development by Samih Sawiris. The project also includes a one-week camp for Swiss and global start-ups, which is scheduled to take place for the first time in 2021. Another element of the program is an online platform that connects start-ups with investors and service providers. The platform's core is a structured database which continually tracks down promising start-ups in the areas of tourism, travel, mobility and health, thus creating an entrepreneurial “ecosystem”. As the Guest Destination for the World Tourism Forum Lucerne during a two-year collaboration, Ras Al Khaimah will host three events in 2020. Namely, the WTFL Think Tank for influential global leaders, the WTFL Talent Boost for young talent, which will be held in cooperation with a local university, and the WTFL Start-Up Innovation Camp, which brings together the best new business concepts from various industries.