World Tourism Investment Summit

FOREWORD: FACILITATING GLOBAL FORCES IN TOURISM INVESTMENT

The rapid growth of world tourism over the past two decades has generated unprecedented investment initiatives and collaboration by government leaders, investors and related stakeholders. With a reported 20,000 new jobs created from every $1 million invested in travel-tourism initiatives, the question becomes how does one decide where, when and with whom to invest in this prolific generator of new wealth?

The current tourism investment activity has spawned deeper discussions: How can the public and private sectors work together to provide incentive investment opportunities? How can investments be best 'assured' to minimize risks? While investment is often local, these issues are global in scope and of great consequence to today's leaders in government as well as the hospitality and tourism industry.

The 'essential' need to harness forces impacting global tourism and resonating financial sectors has created the need to better identify, communicate and manage current-future trends. While previous investment forums have targeted a specific sector, the World Tourism Investment Summit focuses on tourism investment as it impacts the national economy and stakeholders on a global scale. The WTIS aims to facilitate a broader understanding and encourage mutually beneficial cooperation—in shaping a converging tourism investment platform with the global marketplace.

OVERVIEW: 2008 WORLD TOURISM INVESTMENT SUMMIT (WTIS)

The 2008 World Tourism Investment Summit (WTIS) in Busan, South Korea, will bring together experts from the public and private sector who are actively engaged in tourism investment, development and operations. Attendees include government leaders, industry executives and stakeholders that share the common objective to acquire new knowledge and broaden networks, and to foster collaboration.

The WTIS is a leading global platform that will present delegates with unique opportunities to build relationships and discover new investment trends in the Asia Pacific area and worldwide. In addition to learning more about several emerging economies that are already benefiting from tourism investment, the intended outcome from information sharing and knowledge transfer will be a new 'mechanization' to promote, facilitate and solidify collaboration within the tourism investment community.

Communication and active engagement will begin with structured panel discussions and interactive workshops. More open exchange and networking opportunities are realized during receptions, luncheons, gala dinners, exhibit hall and WTIS' hall-mark Let's Make a Deal sessions.

The 2008 World Tourism Investment Summit's unique forum is extended to 500 global delegates facilitating outcomes that will serve to shape the future of tourism investment worldwide. The 2008 WTIS will be held in conjunction with the Tourism Promotion Organization of the Asia Pacific Cities (TPO), based in Busan, South Korea. The Summit is being hosted by the Busan Metropolitan Government and in partnership with various governmental authorities, regional and multilateral institutions including the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency of the World Bank Group and leading private sector from around the world.

EMINENT GLOBAL LEADERS ON THE OCCASION OF THE BEIJING SUMMIT 07
	“Tourism is a bridge builder amongst nations and peoples. Your Second World Tourism Marketing Summit has a most pertinent theme: The Power of Marketing. With a rise in tourism comes a mobile population and a anew era of global cooperation, creating a new dynamic for interaction among cultures. This very occasion is an example, hosted by the Beijing Tourism Administration, globally coordinated by the Canadian-based World Trade University Global Secretariat, bringing together delegates from every part of the globe.” - His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein, King of the Hashernite Kingdom of Jordan	“The World Tourism Marketing Summit is an important forum and a unique opportunity for participants to exchange views and share experience about the current state of the industry and how to do better in the future. There is so much talent and experience within the broad spectrum of the industry which, if shared, will definitely assist many stakeholders to put their acts together and improve on the performance of the industry as a whole.” - H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of The United Republic of Tanzania H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete President of the United Republic of Tanzania	“The World Tourism Markeing Summit comes at an opportune time to play a two-pronged role: provide valuable information to China about the tourism products and services its potential visitors could demand; and what countries that desire to enjoy a fair share of the substantial cake China's tourism presents need to know about the needs of Chinese tourists.” - Dr. Taleb Rifai, Deputy Secretary-General, World Tourism Organization Dr. Taleb Rifai Deputy Secretary General World Tourism Organization
WORLD SUMMIT EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
H.E. Hur Nam-Sik Mayor of Busan,South Korea	The Hon. Dr. Ewart F. Brown J.P., M.P. Premier, and Minister of Tourism &Transport, Government of Bermuda	H.E. Akel Biltaji Chairman of the Tourism Committee The Upper House of Parliament Ambassador at Large for Tourism Promotion The Royal Hashemite Court, Jordan	Mr. Tony Potter CEO Corinthia Hotels International, Malta	Dr. Awni Behnam UN Commissioner General for World Expo Shanghai 2010
Mr. Ching-Kuo Wu (Taiwan, The People's Republic of China) Member, International Olympic Committee	Mr. David Chestler Senior Vice President Corporate Business Development Pegasus Solutions Inc. USA	Mr. Hamid Mamdouh Director of the Trade in Services Division of the WTO, Switzerland	Mr. Charles Deyo President, Cendyn, USA	Prof. Israel Borowich Chairman, El Al Airlines Israel