Alongside UNWTO officials, the conference featured some 30 expert speakers comprising government policy makers, industry leaders and leading academicians in championing thought leadership on tourism futures and strategies driving tourism’s recovery and resilience in a post-pandemic world.
Local Malaysian experts who made an appearance on the exclusive WTC 2022 stage included Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Prof Dr Amran Hamzah, Sunway Malls & Theme Parks CEO H.C. Chan, Malaysia Airlines group chief marketing and customer experience officer Lau Yin May, Evenesis CEO Yusno Yunos, Sabah Parks director Dr Maklarin Lakim and Sticky Rice Travel founder and director Jessica Yew.
In her speech, Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia Ministry secretary-general Datuk Hajah Saraya Arbi acknowledged the tremendous impact of the worldwide pandemic and multiple crises which continue to disrupt the tourism sector’s growth trajectory. Despite challenging headwinds to the global economy in 2023 and beyond, experts have great expectations for the tourism sector, predicting continued pent-up demand alongside new growth opportunities and emerging niche markets arising from the pandemic.