Summit Agenda Speakers

Tarek comes from an aerospace engineering background. He cofounded Murmuration in 2019 to provide measurable environmental indicators for sustainability in the tourism industry. Building on the wealth of satellite data and state-of-the-art artificial intelligence, Murmuration delivers innovative tools to support destinations and private businesses to integrate the environment into their operational workflows. Murmuration has been recognized by leading institutions such as UNTourism which underlines its operational ability and value in supporting the transition of the tourism sector towards more sustainability. The team is based in Toulouse, France, and works with leading destinations and businesses across the globe

Degree in Law, after attending the course at the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon and completion at ISMAT – Instituto Superior Manuel Teixeira Gomes in Portimão in 2012.

Experience in the field of associativism and politics from secondary school to the present, being part of numerous local and national social, recreational, sports and cultural collectivities. Member of the Board of the Academic Association of the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon between 1998 and 2001. Member of the Assembly of Representatives of the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon between 1999 and 2001. Member of the Senate of the University of Lisbon between 1999 and 2001. Level III Professional Internship as a Human Resources technician at Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Portimão in 2005. Tourism and Events Technician in the Municipality of Portimão between 2006 and 2009. Advisor to the Managing Director of Portimão Urbis SGRU E.M., S.A. in 2010. Advisor to the Board of ATP – Associação de Turismo de Portimão in 2011.

Manager of the Sales, Events and Tourism Unit at Portimão Urbis SGRU E.M., S.A. between 2012 and 2013. Equipment and Operations Manager of the Portimão Arena - Multipurpose Pavilion and the Portimão Fair and Exhibition Park between 2013 and 2015. Advisor to the Minister of the Sea in the XXI Constitutional Government of the Portuguese Republic between 2016 and 2017. Director of the Promotion, Animation and Tourist Information Center of the Região de Turismo do Algarve (Algarve Tourism Bureau) from 2018 to July 2023. Currently President of the Região de Turismo do Algarve (Algarve Tourism Bureau), as well as of ATA – Associação de Turismo do Algarve (Algarve Tourism Association)

Ben is Head of Communications and Research at the Travel Foundation, a global sustainable tourism NGO which works with businesses and destinations to improve tourism’s impacts. He has been at the Travel Foundation for 12 years and has led the development of its influential industry research and advocacy programme. Reports include Destinations at Risk: The Invisible Burden of Tourism with Cornell in 2019, Towards Destination Stewardship published by the World Travel and Tourism Council in 2021, and 2023’s Envisioning Tourism in 2030 & Beyond in partnership with a Dutch university collective. Last year he was part of the team that brought usClimate Justice in Tourism: An Introductory Guide, and Creating Equitable Destinations. He also chairs the communications working group for the Future of Tourism Coalition and was part of the delivery team for the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism, launched by UN Tourism at COP26 in Glasgow, which is supporting destinations and businesses to halve tourism’s global carbon footprint by 2030.

Yrjötapio “Y.T.” Kivisaari is a distinguished leader in the tourism and hospitality sector, currently serving as President and CEO of Visit Oulu, a leading Destination Management Organization in Finland. He holds a Master’s degree in Leadership and Sustainability, along with a Master Certificate in Hospitality Management from Cornell University programme.

Mr. Kivisaari serves in several positions of trust, including the Chamber of Commerce and Destinations International. As a passionate advocate for community engagement, sustainability, year-round tourism development, and social inclusion, he excels in leadership and promoting hospitality. Known for his storytelling skills and expertise in navigating change, Mr. Kivisaari is a sought-after speaker and thought leader in the field. His work emphasizes creating inclusive, accessible, and accountable tourism practices, reflecting his deep commitment to social sustainability.

Claus Raasted helps organizations both big and small become better at GETTING S**T DONE, and serves as Director of the College of Extraordinary Experiences. He travels the globe as a keynote speaker, and has been both a Coach and Senior Advisor at the consulting giant McKinsey. Raasted is the author of 46 books, the latest of which is fittingly titled “Claus Raasted’s Little Book of Getting Shit Done”.  He also has a past in reality TV, but these days, who hasn't?

Andrea Grisdale spent her formative years in England’s gorgeous Lake District, before embarking on a career in the travel industry in the 1990s. After traveling the four corners of the world as an overseas representative for a British tour operator, she ended up in Northern Italy as a guide and tour manager in the Dolomites and Lake Como. Just before the start of the new millennium, Andrea decided to strike out on her own and form IC Bellagio, a travel company providing Italian experiences for high-end travelers ranging from villa rentals and exclusive guided tours to luxury hotels.   Andrea is a very vocal advocate of the travel industry, inspiring students at colleges and universities to follow in her footsteps with her many speaking engagements. She is also very conscious of the role inspiration plays for her staff as well, encouraging IC Bellagio staff to travel abroad and offering exciting career development opportunities.