Condé Nast Traveler Conversations: this will be the future of travel according to industry experts
Four days of reflection, four days in which the word traveler will be the protagonist. That is what the Condé Nast Traveler Conversations propose, the enriching initiative of Condé Nast Traveler Spain, Condé Nast's travel and lifestyle magazine.
From June 15 to 18, professionals and experts from the tourism sector will meet virtually to reflect on how this unexpected context, the new normality, will affect the ever closer future of the world of travel.
Condé Nast Traveler Conversations brings together industry experts to discuss the future of tourism
How, when and where will we travel again? Will virtual experiences be a new way of doing it? Will hotels become a kind of golden cages? Is empty Spain an opportunity? What trips will transform us from now on? Has the low cost airline model expired? Dine at home or book a restaurant?
We will find answers to all these doubts in the Condé Nast Traveler Conversations, in which the economic, technological and cultural issues that influence the tourism industry and that are currently of great concern to those who consider traveling a lifestyle.
After the pandemic, accessories that were not part of our daily life before , like masks, will accompany us everywhere for a long time, as will security measures to prevent new infections.
For this reason, the different countries affected by COVID-19 began weeks ago to seek solutions to ensure physical distance in public spaces.
Clear example of this are the circles of 2.5 m that have splashed the Domino's Park (Brooklyn) , the 1.80 m squares traced in a Vicchio square (Florence) waves beaches divided into sectors , like the Silgar, in Sanxenxo.
Maybe this new space management be a good excuse for reduce the impacts of overtourism, and one of the perfect alternatives to avoid mass tourism would be bet on rural getaways, without crowds and in contact with nature, a topic that will be addressed in the presentation 'Full Spain? A reinvention opportunity for the rural destination', which will take place on June 16.
On the other hand, airports are already prepared to carry out strict health security controls: random tests for the detection of coronavirus, free rapid tests -as is the case in Madeira-, instant disinfection booths (that he hong kong airport has already begun to incorporate), measurement of body temperature...
And it is that, take a flight again for pleasure, It is a desire that is getting closer, especially in terms of journeys through Europe, since European countries are gradually communicating their border opening in order to welcome tourists during the summer season.
In mainland, Governments are promoting the use of bicycles -which is why many cities have expanded its network of bike lanes and of electric motorcycles as a means of transport, in order to advance towards more sustainable tourism.
All these changes derived from the health crisis that the world has suffered during these months, as well as those that are yet to come, will be dealt with on June 15, in which it will be proposed that "technology, data and efforts in innovation and sustainability" are the levers of transformation after COVID-19 , as well as on the 17th, in which Mobility It will be the center of conversations.
Questions such as why not devise a Spanish route 66 for an electric and interior present -thus recovering the pleasure of driving through secondary roads-, if the sea will be a safe destination and how cruise ships will face this great challenge or if the airlines are prepared to change their model -above all, the low cost- will also be treated during that third day.
And what about the hotels? Apart from control the capacity In order to achieve the safety distance, the reopening of the accommodations will bring with it the following requirements: online check-in, strict cleaning and disinfection work, a reduction in the use of common areas and the end of the breakfast buffet, among others.
As for the challenges that arise, reinvent luxury, automate tasks, adapt to new ways of socializing and , in relation to sustainability, eliminate plastics, promote renewable energy and combat food waste. All this will be dealt with in the presentations that will be held on June 16 under the title 'Welcome to the hotel of the future'.
Finally, the conversations will end on the 18th with Back to the Future, which promises inspiring talks that will revolve around the trips that transform us, storytelling and communication tools.
Virtual meetings will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in dynamic formats lasting half an hour and access will be free with prior registration until full capacity is reached at conversas.traveler.es. Once this great ode to travel is finished, **the talks will be available online. **
CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER CONVERSATIONS PROGRAM
JUNE 15 - Reinventing travel
9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. From social distance to virtual experiences: an overview of the world of travel from now and from technology
Technology works at a dizzying pace to provide solutions to the travel industry. Fran Romero will talk about the latest developments and some that will be implemented in the near future. These include social distancing, automated health checks, enhanced digital identity, tracking, virtual experiences, robotic services and sanitation. They will all be part of our everyday travel.
Participates: Fran Romero, Head of Open Innovation Programs in Amadeus IT Group
**10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. When, how and where will we travel again? How will data help us get it right? **
If Big Data was already considered a fundamental tool to analyze and predict the present and future of travel, now, when uncertainties are much more than certainties, data can be that yellow brick road that guides us in the good address. They shed the first clues of traveler behavior and will help the industry prepare for this "new normal".
Participate:
- Immaculate Galician, Head of the Statistical and Market Research Area of the Andalusia Tourism and associate professor at the University of Malaga
- Sarah Pastor, General Director of Destinations of ADARA
Moderator: Natalia Bayona, Senior Expert on Innovation and Digital transformation of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Innovation and sustainability, levers and new opportunities for post-Covid-19 recovery
Pedro Moneo, CEO of the innovation consulting firm Opinno, is used to seeing projects being born and growing, startups sinking and succeeding, and entrepreneurs rising and falling and getting back on their feet. To get out of this crisis, in a scenario that will surely be totally different, he is mainly committed to two tools: innovation and sustainability. He predicts that "success will not be for those who manage the crisis properly, but for those who anticipate the opportunities that will come later". He knows what he's talking about: he founded his company in Silicon Valley in 2008, while Lehman Brothers was going bankrupt and the economic crisis was beginning.
Participates: Pedro Moneo, CEO of Opinno
11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Covid-19, Brexit, Thomas Cook, overtourism... Spain's challenges to maintain leadership
Spanish tourism faces great challenges. The exit of Great Britain from the European Union, the bankruptcy of the giant Thomas Cook, the ravages of overtourism, the need to digitize the sector and how to transmit confidence to travelers again are some of the most important. But what are its strengths and, above all, the new opportunities that are opening up in this new stage?
Participate:
- Manuel Muniz Villa, Secretary of State for Global Spain, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation
- Gabriel Escarrer, President of Melia Hotels International
Moderator: David Moralejo, Director of Condé Nast Traveler
JUNE 16 - Welcome to the hotel of the future
9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Hotels: Cages of gold? Reinventing luxury without losing the touch
The hotel's transformation process after Covid-19 will begin from the very arrival of the guest: with check-in. It will continue with the way of requesting room service, visiting the spa or, without going any further, having breakfast. The spaces and services of the hotel will have to adapt to our new ways of socializing. Creativity and technology will be key in differentiation.
Participate:
- Eduardo Sixfingers, hotel deputy manager Anantara Villapadierna
- Alvaro Carrillo de Albornoz, CEO of ith
- Diego Ortega, president and owner of Fontecruz Hotels
- Xavier Rocas, counselor of Relais & Châteaux
Moderator: Arantxa Neyra, travel journalist, Condé Nast Traveler
10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. - User experience. Smile with a mask. Transmit warmth from the new distance. Rocío Abellá, partner at Deloitte Digital, analyzes the here and now of the hotel sector after COVID-19, a reflection that will offer companies keys to manage their recovery, cushion the consequences and even draw up a roadmap with immediate measures, to short and long term.
Participates: Rocío Abellá, partner of DeloitteDigital.
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Spain full? A reinvention opportunity for the rural destination
It was already a trend before the virus appeared in our lives. Providing a solution to the emptied Spain while combating the problem of overtourism represented one of the great hopes of national tourism. The current situation puts on the board even more reasons to bet on rural destinations, without crowds and in contact with nature, and promote their tourism development from quality and responsibility.
Participate:
- Jose Carlos Campos Commercial director of inns
- Sarah Sanchez, CEO of rusticae
- Luis Alberto Lera, chef and owner Lera restaurant
Moderator: David Moralejo, Director of Condé Nast Traveler
11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. What happened to sustainability?
Although during confinement the planet has breathed, the return implies great challenges that now have to be faced. When, until a few months ago, hotel chains made titanic efforts to update their strategies to eliminate plastics, promote renewable energies and combat food waste, single-dose bags, bags and the craze for disposables are back. Is there a way to combine safety with sustainability?
Participate:
Rebeca Avila Alvarez, VP Communication & CSR Southern Europe in AccorHotelsRodrigo Moscardó, chief operating officer of Iberostar Hotels & ResortsCarlos Cabanillas, Head of Public Relations at Hostel Spa Empuries
Moderator: Gema Monroy, editor-in-chief of Condé Nast Traveler
JUNE 17 - This is how we will travel
9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Road trips: in search of Spanish routes 66
Cars and even caravans are once again that extension of our own home, the place that makes us feel safe and with which, in some way, we return to the essence of the trip. Recover the pleasure of driving, of traveling secondary roads, of planning on the map... Books, movies, songs or thematic routes will serve as a common thread or a source of inspiration. This will be the new (old) way of traveling to a destination.
Participate:
- Miryam Tejada Segovia, Communication Executive at Escapadarural.com
- Daniel Gates, General Director of Business in PANGEA The Travel Store
- Alberto Gomez Borrero traveler
Moderator: María Fernández, Editor-in-Chief of Traveler.es
10:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. Ten days at sea. The reinvention of a high profitability model
Social distancing will test some mobility and travel models. Cruise ships face their greatest challenge: providing their clients with the greatest security and confidence in the middle of the ocean. How has the coronavirus crisis affected the sector? What awaits this industry that moves more than 150 million dollars a year in the world? Will we continue traveling by sea? Are we facing the birth of a new cruise concept?
Participate:John Rodero, CEO of star-classPaul Ruibal, COO and founding partner of boatjump
Moderator: Quico Taronjí, journalist and sailor
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Airlines. Sustainability and security. Has the low cost model expired? Towards a new premium tourist
The proliferation of low cost meant a true revolution in the world of travel, democratizing flights under the formula of cheap tickets and extra luggage and services. Today, life has dealt a great setback to aviation in general and to these airlines in particular. Without certainties yet, it seems that the obligation to leave empty seats and the prohibition of carrying hand luggage and service on board will end up being imposed. If so, their prices will end up being very similar to those of regular airlines, thus losing their competitive advantage. Does this model have continuity?
Moderator: Lorena G Díaz, journalist specialized in travel
11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Cities, even smarter (and for everyone).
Data and technology applied to the service of citizens and visitors. This will be another of the upward trends in the coming years in the so-called smart destinations. Areas such as mobility, health, leisure and, of course, tourism, will benefit from projects such as the one that will map the movements of the inhabitants of the Community of Madrid over the next few years to create useful solutions for companies and citizens.
Participate:
Carlos Gonzalez Louis, by Citizenlab
- Miguel Sanchez, Director of the Tourism Area of Madrid Destination, City of Madrid
Moderator: Clara Laguna, Head of Fashion and Beauty at Condé Nast Traveler
**JUNE 18 - Back to the Future **
9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Transformative journeys. In search of the trip of your life
Experience is no longer enough. We want more. More action, more knowledge, more personal growth. More fullness. For this reason, in recent times we have seen how the so-called "transformation trips" have been attracting more and more those restless and insatiable spirits. Push yourself to the limit physically, collaborate with a cause, promote self-improvement, reconnect… trips that leave a legacy beyond photos.
Participate:
- Alessandra Girardi, Product Director of nuba
- Anabel Vázquez, journalist specializing in travel and lifestyle.
Moderator: Gema Monroy, editor-in-chief of Condé Nast Traveler
10:15 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Let the destinations speak
Telling stories when we return from the trip, that is the reason why we travel. But it is also those stories that destinations tell us before that make us decide on one or the other. Today, more than ever, it is essential that destinations have a speech. And not one that is faked and stitched together with the keywords of the moment, but authentic and emotional.
Participate:
nacho padilla, creative director at Barcelona's town hallPainted Pelayo, CEO of Ideal Blanca Perez Sauquillo, Associate Deputy Director of Marketing at Turespaña
Moderator: Arantxa Neyra, travel journalist, Condé Nast Traveler
11:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. The challenges of gastronomy. Dining at home, the new dining out?
Getting a table in the best restaurants in the cities had become an impossible mission in recent months. The virus put an end to it, but it caused many of them to start developing other projects that were either kept in a drawer or had never been considered. With the arrival of the famous new normality and all the health restrictions, things will change again, but where? Will we prefer to meet at home and ask for a delivery or, despite everything, will the endless waiting lists return?
Participate:
- Alexandra Anson, gastronomic consultant and CEO of Anson&Bonet
- Robert Ruiz, chef of Max Point
- Paco Morales, chef of Noor
- Safe Cross, chef of gofio
Moderator: Jorge Guitián, gastronomic journalist
11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. the immutable
The virus will change many of our customs, it will change some of our habits and bring us new ones. But there will also be things that will continue to be the same, that will not change, because they are eternal and imperishable and will continue to mark our journeys. Good service, the art of receiving, a room with a view, a building with history, a mohair blanket or a good whiskey.
Participate:
- Sea Soau, owner of Son Brull
- DanielFiguero, Fragrance Ambassador by Dior
- David Moralejo, director of Conde Nast Traveler
Moderate: Jesus Terres, writer, contributor to Conde Nast Traveler