“The Tourism Innovation Summit - TIS 2024 is
a global event that brings together industry leaders, innovators, and
professionals from the travel and tourism sector”
188 Le
Courrier d’Afrique 54: Silvia Avilés
Giraud, Hello, what is your professional background?
Silvia
Avilés Giraud: I have more than 15 years of experience in events and
communication. In addition, I am co-founder of NEBEXT, a leading company in the
organization of large format B2B events in Spain where I lead the marketing and
communication area of its more than 15 events. Since 2020 I am the director of
TIS -Tourism Innovation Summit, an event focused on Travel Tech that reunites
more than 7,000 professionals from the tourism sector in Seville every
autumn.
Can you
present to our readers Tourism Innovation Summit - TIS 2024?
The Tourism
Innovation Summit - TIS 2024 is a global event that brings together industry
leaders, innovators, and professionals from the travel and tourism sector. It
is designed to foster discussions, collaborations, and the sharing of best practices
in leveraging technology to drive the future of tourism. The summit will
feature panel discussions, activities, and an exhibition showcasing
cutting-edge solutions and services.
The
slogan of this 5th edition is “Elevating Travel Industry With Tech”, why did
you choose this theme?
We chose this theme
because technology continues to play a pivotal role in transforming the travel
industry. From enhancing customer experiences to improving operational
efficiencies, technological advancements are vital in addressing current
challenges and seizing new opportunities. We aim to highlight the importance of
tech innovations in elevating the travel industry to new heights.
The 5th
edition of the unmissable event “Tourism Innovation Summit - TIS 2024” will
take place on October 23, 24 and 25, 2024 in Seville - Fibes, how are the
preparations going?
Preparations for TIS
2024 are well underway and we are excited about the progress. We already have a
large number of confirmed exhibiting companies that will present their
solutions and we are also working on a very powerful content agenda for the
congress. I can tell you that this edition is going to be very promising.
What
are the new features of this 5th edition compared to the previous edition, what
are the expected challenges? What can participants expect during the 3 days of
the Summit?
In its fifth
edition, TIS will have more than 200 exhibiting firms and more than 7,000
attendees, making it the largest platform to bring tourism professionals the
latest technologies in AI, Business Intelligence, data analytics,
cybersecurity, connectivity, 5G and augmented or virtual reality, among others,
as well as solutions that help measure environmental impact, be more
sustainable, inclusive and improve accessibility. This year China has been chosen as Destination
Partner 2024 and a large delegation of Chinese experts on tourism will
participate to share experiences, insights and best practices of this leading
destination in the world as well as strategies into how to attract Chinese
tourists for the businesses focusing on this market. During the event, the
Tourism Innovation Global Summit will once again take place, bringing together
more than 400 experts and leaders in the tourism sector from around the world
who will share their vision, success stories and trends in more than 150
conferences divided into eight vertical forums dedicated to each segment of the
tourism industry, from the MICE sector, Destinations, Hospitality, Travel
Agencies, TTOO, Business Travel, Transport, Activities or Culture and Leisure.
What
assessment do you make of the latest edition of the TIS 2023 Summit? Do you
consider this event a success?
TIS 2023was a
tremendous success. In this past edition we had new venue, new setup and new
showroom distribution that was an amazing experience for our visitors. We
received positive feedback from attendees and media regarding the quality of
the sessions, the relevance of the topics covered, and the networking
opportunities provided. The event saw a significant increase in participation
and engagement, which underscores the growing interest in tourism innovation.
We consider it a success and a strong foundation to build upon for TIS 2024.
How can
we ensure the success of this Summit in 2024?
Ensuring the success
of TIS 2024 involves meticulous planning, engaging with stakeholders, and
continually adapting to industry trends. We are committed to delivering
high-quality content and facilitating meaningful interactions. Listening to
feedback from past participants and incorporating their suggestions is crucial.
Additionally, leveraging digital platforms to reach a wider audience and
enhance the onsite experience will be key. We count as well with a Steering
Committee represented by leading experts from the whole industry which
contribution is based on suggestion on the real needs of tourism so that we can
incorporate them in our business platform.
Who are
the stakeholders in the organization of this Summit?
At TIS – Tourism
Innovation Summit we bring together tech firms that have solutions for the
travel and tourism industry, with professionals from all the segments of the
tourism sector, which include tourism boards, DMOs, hotel managers, c-level
executives from airlines, airports, cruises, train operators, travel agencies,
OTAs, tour operators, museums, monuments, theme parks, convention bureaus,
venues, business travel companies, among many others. All of them come to TIS
to discover the latest solutions and success stories to improve the
competitiveness of their businesses or tourism destinations. To achieve this
goal, we collaborate with national institutions, global tourism and travel
organizations, media partners, sponsors, and exhibitors who play a vital role
in supporting and enhancing the event.
What is
the contribution of expected foreign exhibitors and participants?
In the past edition,
we gathered 43 international delegations from countries such as Mexico,
Ecuador, France, Portugal, Turkey, United States, China, South Africa, Norway,
United Kingdom, Italy, Greece, Norway, Canada, Argentina or Slovenia. Having
the opportunity to learn about other tourism destinations, and know their
strategies and success stories offers great insight for our attendees. They
bring international perspectives, share global best practices, and introduce
innovative solutions from different markets. Their participation fosters
cross-cultural exchanges and helps build a more interconnected and resilient
global tourism ecosystem.This year we will welcome China as our guest country.
What
developments do you envisage for the TIS Summit in the coming years?
In the coming
years, we expect TIS to grow in scale and influence, becoming the benchmark
event for tourism innovation worldwide. We plan to expand our focus to
sustainability, inclusion and emerging markets and become the place to be to
get on the latest trends to become more competitive on tourism.
What
information should you remember before the day?
Before attending TIS2024,
it is a good idea for participants to familiarize themselves with the program,
plan which sessions they will attend and identify the key exhibitors they wish
to visit. It is also a good idea to arrange meetings in advance and attend the
many networking events at TIS. We facilitate an interactive app that gives you
the opportunity to organize your own agenda with the activities, sessions and
meetings so that you can plan your visit efficiently.
How is
the tourism sector in Spain?
The tourism sector in
Spain is vibrant and recovering strongly from recent global challenges. Spain
remains one of the top tourist destinations in the world, known for its rich
cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and excellent infrastructure. The sector
is increasingly embracing digital transformation and sustainable practices to
enhance its offerings and ensure long-term growth.
What
message would you like to convey to Summit participants?
TIS is the place to
be for any tourism professionalwho wants to takeoff on this digital journey.
For three days, our showroom gathers themost unique tech solutions for industry
professionals to elevatetheir travel business or destination with Travel Tech.
The Tourism Innovation Global Summit brings together the greatest mindswith
success stories on digital applications, sustainable practices or new business
models. The high-level networking events, creategreat memories and business
opportunities that help us build long-lasting relationships. The future of the
travel and tourism industry is defined by fastshifts and innovative trends. As
technology, sustainability, andtravelers’ preferences continue to evolve,
businesses, organizationsand destinations embracing these new trends will be ready
to stand out in a competitive market.
What
are your final words for today?
Only comment
that registration is open for all those who wish to join to participate. Looking
forward to welcome you all this October in Seville if you want to stay ahead on
Tourism and Digital opportunities.
