Africa Travel WeekExperts on this panel will unpack how outbound markets have responded to COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it has had on travel to Africa. You’ll hear how their traveller demands are changing and get a perspective on what destinations will need to do to attract the new kind of traveller from their market.
THE SPEAKERS
Dr. Marcus Lee
President: International China Investment Forum
Marcus Lee is currently Chairman of SME Business Owners Association in China, started as International China Investment Forum (ICIF). Its subsidiary, WELCOME CHINA was appointed coordinator of “China Pacific Tourism Year 2019” promoting 18 countries to China. As a result, brought in $4 billion of investment and 200 000 Chinese tourist into these countries. Lee was appointed Samoa Prime Minister Special Envoy to China.
Chris Mears
CEO: African Travel and Tourism Association
Chris Mears was born and grew up in the UK and has spent his whole career working in African tourism being both in the UK and South Africa. Chris has extensive travel experience but has most notably travelled overland from the UK to South. In early 2005 Chris was given the opportunity to move to Cape Town to grown the South African office of UK Based Tour Operator Acacia Adventure Holidays.
Gabriella Ribeiro
Head of Trumarketing, Explorateur Journeys
and The Mogul Mom
Gabriella Ribeiro is a global wanderer, explorer and serial entrepreneur with a varied career wrapped around tourism. She runs Trumarketing, a boutique sales and marketing firm dedicated to luxury travel clients and also heads up Explorateur Journeys, a company which curates immersive journeys for globally curious travelers that leave a footprint on one’s soul. Additionally, Gabriella heads up The Mogul Mom where she mentors a dynamic community of female entrepreneurs running businesses, raising families and rocking both.
Jörg Ehrlich
Managing Director: Diamir
As Managing Director and Marketing Manager of DIAMIR, Jörgis responsible for the American and European markets. he is an avid nature photographer and both initiator and author of numerous lectures, films and travel reports. As an expedition mountaineer, he also leads mountain tours around the globe; personally guiding clients to the top of Kilimanjaro 3 times. He has also contributed to the industry at large by serving as a Board Member of ASA and participated in their Working Group Southern and Eastern Africa.
THE MODERATOR
Gillian Saunders
Independent Tourism and Hospitality Adviser
Until mid-2018 Gillian was Deputy CEO of Audit Tax and Advisory Firm, Grant Thornton in Johannesburg, and head of their Advisory Services in South Africa. She is the author of several articles and a regular commentator in the media on many issues related to Tourism and Hospitality. She is a member (and previous chairperson) of the board of the University of Johannesburg’s School of Tourism and Hospitality and is passionate about education and education in the Hospitality and Tourism sector.
