The debate focused on 4 topics:

• digital innovation
• role of transport connectivity and interoperability for tourism competitiveness
• tourism sustainability
• balance between security and seamless travel in Europe

The forum was opened by several high-level speeches from:

• Mr Viljar Lubi – Deputy Secretary-General for Economic Development, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications of the Republic of Estonia
• Ms Urve Palo – Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology of the Republic of Estonia
• Mr Taleb Rifai – Secretary-General of the United Nations’ World Tourism Organization
• Mr Istvan Ujhelyi – Vice-Chair of the TRAN Committee on Transport and Tourism and responsible for the tourism task force, European Parliament

Programme

Panel 1: innovation in tourism through digitalisation for competitive growth of the sector

Presentation by Nick Hall – founder and CEO, Digital Tourism Think Tank

Presentation by Elizabeth Aston  – senior advisor on industry affairs, AMADEUS IT Group SA

Presentation by Kristian Kamplade – director of promotion, region of Murcia

Panel 2: transport connectivity and intermodality as critical success factors for the European tourism sector

Presentation by Pekka Vauramo – president and CEO of FINNAIR

Presentation by Morgan Foulkes – Deputy Director-General, Airports Council International Europe

Presentation by Tom Fecke – Secretary-General, Cruise Lines International Association Europe

Panel 3: energy efficiency, protection of natural resources and environmentally friendly measures towards more sustainable EU tourism

Presentation by Anya Niewierra – director of the South Limburg (Netherlands) tourist board and executive committee member of NECSTouR

Presentation by Stephen D'Alfonso – group head of public affairs, Thomas Cook

Presentation by Olaf Holm – EUROPARC Federation

Panel 4: balance between security and seamless travel in Europe

Presentation by Marc Sulon – head of 'Smart Borders' sector, Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, European Commission