Stronger collaboration between ICCA, UN Tourism and other governmental stakeholders is key to strengthening the value of business events in driving the travel industry and economies worldwide.
The 63rd ICCA Congress marks a historic milestone as it welcomes the first-ever appearance of a UN Tourism secretary general. Zurab Pololikashvili’s participation in the Opening Keynote session on October 20 underscores the growing importance of business events in driving the global travel industry and economies.
“It’s about collaboration, and using this partnership for ICCA is super important because it elevates what we do (in the field of business events),” said Marta Gomes, ICCA president.
“Governments don’t always understand what it is that we do and what we stand for. This connection will help to create that understanding, that dialogue with policymakers, so that business events are better understood and more valued, and where we will see more investment in the future,” she continued.
Senthil Gopinath, ICCA CEO, said having the UN Tourism secretary general present is an “opportunity we have dreamed of, and is now a reality here”.
He added that moving forward, it is crucial to include leading organisations, such as UN Tourism, in strategies to ensure the business events industry can further grow and have greater impact.
By doing so, such partnerships will elevate the voice of business events, ensuring that their value and contribution to destinations are acknowledged and addressed at the most senior levels, Gopinath emphasised.
Pololikashvili noted that the world is evolving rapidly, and in the wake of global crises such as the pandemic, working together is “important”. He also called for the “friendship to continue”.
“The world is changing a lot, and very fast. To make the industry more competitive in the long term, there are many things we have to adapt to. That’s why having such interesting, diverse people next to us, and to be united, is very important,” he said.
Gomes encouraged all attendees to embrace the power of collaboration, and urged them to take concrete steps by forming partnerships with governments and other prominent organisations upon their return home.
