
AN INNOVATION FESTIVAL
BY WORLD TOURISM FORUM LUCERNE
29 – 30 APRIL 2021 | ANDERMATT, SWITZERLAND

Reto Wittwer
Chairman

Martin Barth
President & CEO

Hybrid conference:
Live from Andermatt, Morocco &
around the world
We are thrilled to invite you to our first Innovation Festival, “Moving Forward” powered by WTFL from 29 till 30 April, 2021 in the soaring grandeur of the mountain destination Andermatt in the Swiss Alps and as a satellite event in Morocco.
With the effect of the pandemic still ongoing, this is a difficult time for so many across the world. “Moving Forward” is our response to the huge challenges faced by our industry, as we believe the future belongs to those who can innovate, adapt and remain agile.
Our Innovation Festival is dedicated to embracing change. Now more than ever, we’re forced to relinquish the past. It’s far from easy, but there has never been a more important time for our community to come together to restart the global economy and create a more resilient, healthy and sustainable world.
At World Tourism Forum Lucerne, practicing what we preach and being innovative has meant modifying our own event format. Our biennial Forum is on hold for now and we are moving from Lucerne to Andermatt, an alpine tourism resort. The fabulous new venue allows the entire festival (conference, events and accommodation) to be staged under one roof. For everyone’s comfort and safety it will be a more intimate affair with a strict limitation on numbers.
As well as a satellite physical event in Morocco, “Moving Forward” will also be fully hybrid, making virtual participation possible for everyone in our loyal global community across three generations who can’t attend in person.
See you soon in Andermatt!
Programme
Optional Programme, Thursday 29 April
13.00 – 15.00
Arrive early, find your bearings and settle in. Meet fellow delegates and get a deeper perspective before the conference starts (no extra charge):
- Join a guided group tour of Andermatt
- Watch a live presentation of all start-up pitches
Opening Session, Thursday 29 April
16.00 – 19.30
- Live from Andermatt
- Satellite event in Morocco
- Keynotes and discussions on future trends
- Pre-conference innovation skills test with analysis
- Inspiration from Morocco
Innovation dinner, Hosted by SHL Luzern at “Spun” Restaurant
Night Cap. Hosted at the Radisson Bar
Conference, Friday 30 April
7.30 – 16.45
- Innovation practices in focus
- Live pitches of start-up winners from each category
- How to deal with set-backs
- Learning from other industries
- We made it! Start-up success stories
- Sustainable investments
- Biodiversity
- Presentation of Next Generation Leaders & Young Talents
- Tourism experts round table
- Surprise guests
Farewell cocktails
Optional Programme, Saturday 1 May
9.00 – 16.00
Extend your stay, network with fellow delegates and enjoy an excursion in beautiful surroundings. Choose from one of the following:
- Get closer to nature on a snow-shoe tour in the spectacular Andermatt mountains
- Visit the scenic and historic city of Lucerne on a sightseeing tour
- Explore the remarkable Canton of Uri on a fascinating and eye-opening day-trip in and around the Gotthard mountain
Cost contribution for each excursion CHF 40.00 (includes lunch)
Who will be there?
MOVERS AND MAKERS
Business leaders
Investors
Industry Experts
Ministers
Founders and shakers
Disruptors
Next Generation Leaders
Opinion leaders
Why should you attend?
Contribute to a multi-directional exchange of ideas across three generations
Keep abreast of developments and gain insights into how our industry might look tomorrow
Learn how to cultivate innovation in yourself and your teams
Watch and learn as the world’s best start-ups pitch their innovative business models
An excellent opportunity to appraise and realign your organisation’s business strategy and/or your own professional development goals
Grow your network and join a like-minded community. Friends and allies are vital in creating tomorrow’s success stories
Treat your taste-buds to innovative F&B at our lively evening events
Be awed by the transformation of Andermatt from into an innovative international tourism destination
Speakers
Imad Barrakad
Marcus Bernhardt
David Bosshart
Puneet Chhatwal
Koen Deryckere
Orit Farkash-Hacohen
Peter Fankhauser
Marloes Knippenberg
Bernhard Russi
Naomi MacKenzie
Wybcke Meier
Stephanie Nägeli
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Bernhard Russi
Olympic Skiing Legend
Bernhard Russi is a Swiss skiing legend who won the Olympics and the World Championship. As a renowned slope architect, he designed some of the most famous slopes in the world, from St. Moritz to Peking. Being part of the Board of Directors at companies such as Bogner, he advices various businesses in strategic matters.

David Bosshart
CEO Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute
David Bosshart is the CEO of the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute for economic and social studies, championing the future of retail and consumption. David holds a Ph.d. in philosophy and political theory and is the author of numerous publications, as well as a speaker at international events in Europe, the U.S. and Asia.

Koen Deryckere
Global Lead at Accenture
Koen Deryckere is the Global Lead for Industry Networks and Programs at Accenture. Throughout his career, Koen has embraced technology and applied intelligence to deliver tangible business outcomes through large transformation programs across multiple industries. He graduated from the University of Leuven, Belgium with honors.

Marloes Knippenberg
CEO at Kerten Hospitality
Marloes Knippenberg is the award-winning CEO of Kerten Hospitality, driving disruptive innovation within the hospitality industry. Known for her mentorship and key speaker roles at global forums, Marloen is empowering the next generation of hoteliers, championing topics such as sustainability or female leadership.

Naomi MacKenzie
Co-Founder KITRO
Naomi MacKenzie is the co-founder of KITRO, a Swiss startup dedicated to reducing food waste in the hospitality sector. Driven to leave a positive footprint, Naomi tries to bring back the value of food. She holds two Bachelors in Business and Hospitality Management and has various experiences, ranging from dance instructor to finance coordinator. A true multi-talent.

Orit Farkash-Hacohen
Israel’s Minister of Tourism
Orit Farkash-Hacohen is Israel’s Minister of Tourism and has been the first woman ever to chair Israel’s Public Utility Authority for Electricity. Orit holds a Master from Harvard University in Public Administration and is a visiting fellow at the Consortium for Energy Policy at Harvard. Throughout her career, she has been pushing the industry towards renewable energy.

Puneet Chhatwal
CEO Indian Hotels Company Limited
Puneet Chhatwal is the Chief Executive Officer at the Indian Hotels Company Limited with over three decades of leadership experience at acclaimed global hotel groups. Puneet is a graduate of both the Delhi University and ESSEC Paris. He was rated one of Europe’s 20 extraordinary minds in Sales, Marketing and Technology and won the prestigious Carlson Fellowship.

Stephanie Nägeli
Executive Board SV Group
Stephanie Nägeli is the Chief Strategic Business Development Officer at the Swiss Food Company SV Group and is part of its executive board. Stephanie is responsible for the innovation strategy, focusing on new digital business models. She’s been nominated Ad Age’s “40 Under 40” and has been the founding member of the Nestlé Silicon Valley Innovation Outpost.

Wybcke Meier
CEO TUI Cruises
Wybcke Meier is the CEO of TUI Cruises with various strategic experiences in marketing and sales in leading companies within the tourism industry. Starting out as a travel agent, she worked herself up to being member of the management board and management director. In her free time, the Helgoland native loves to do yoga.

Marcus Bernhardt
CEO Steigenberger Hotels
Marcus Bernhardt is the CEO of Steigenberger Hotels being responsible for 6 brands with the goal to establish Deutsche Hospitality as one of the top 3 hotel groups in Europe. Marcus has experiences with leading people in 140 countries across multiple industries. He is member of several advisory and supervisory boards holding a MBA from the business school in Zurich and San Francisco.

Imad Barrakad
Chair Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development
Imad Barrakad is the chair of the Moroccan Agency for Tourism Development (SMIT) driving the attractiveness of Morocco as a major tourist destination worldwide. Under the national strategy, Imad has been launching several initiatives such as the nature and cultural development program. He holds a Master in project management and is a board member in various organizations.

Peter Fankhauser
Director PETRAF Ltd
Peter Fankhauser is a seasoned international executive with unique business development and M&A experiences. As the former CEO of Thomas Cook, Peter has tested every water going from high growth to corporate restructuring. He is an honorary professor at the University of St. Gallen and a mentor for startups, who loves to develop people into leaders.