Griffith Institute for Tourism director Professor Susanne Becken will represent the University abroad next month as a speaker at the 2018 Pacific Tourism Insights Conference in Samoa.
Staged in the island’s capital of Apia on 3 October, the Pacific Tourism Insights Conference will focus on development, expertise and sustainability in regional tourism, and engages with those that influence change from all corners of the industry, helping to shape its future in support of the Pacific Regional Tourism Strategy 2015-2019.
Professor Becken will be speaking as part of a panel session for BBC World News, “Technology and Demand: Where to Now?”.
Moderated by BBC World News international correspondent Phil Mercer, the session will also feature representatives from aviation centre CAPA and analytics company ForwardKeys.
With international tourist arrivals to the Asia-Pacific passing 340 billion in 2017, with expected growth of 60% year-on-year to 2019, Professor Becken and her co-panellists will explore issues such as the region’s readiness to receive such growth, what innovations can help preparations, and what challenges await for an area subject to a growing influx of people.
“I am thrilled to be joining some of the region’s sharpest minds at the Pacific Tourism Insights Conference next month,” Professor Becken said.
“All of the international thought leaders lined up to appear have been recognised for their innovation and disruptive thinking.
“With visitor numbers to Asia-Pacific countries on the rise – not to mention the ongoing challenge presented by climate change and market forces – it is crucial that the industry works together to formulate effective, imaginative solutions to ensure operators and visitors alike are able to continue enjoying access to unique natural wonders for decades to come.”
Professor Becken is an ideal presenter for a panel such as the one on which she’s appearing. An internationally renowned expert in tourism and global change, she has published widely and has provided advice to government, industry and international organisations.
Her focus of research is on tourism and climate change, resource use, resilience and risk management, sustainable consumption, and environmental policy for tourism.
The Pacific Tourism Insights Conference is held in collaboration with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO), and hosted by the Samoa Tourism Authority.
For more information about the event and its speakers, see the PTIC website.