Welcome! 👋

This hub is your home for the next 24 hours.
See the Programme
Lost?
Find the Venues
See the
X. Awards Winners
Have a question
for a speaker?

Check out our 2025 Programme

X. Design Week
17-20th March 2025, Newcastle
XDW gathers digital, creative and strategy teams across the full spectrum of tourism innovation.
Campus 2025
Autumn 2025, Inverness
DTTT Campus returns, with a heavy focus on regeneration.
AI in Practice Impact Programme
March 2025, Included with Membership
XR Immersive Impact Programme
March 2025, Included with Membership

Programme

Tap on any of the sessions to expand and read more about what's coming up.

Future. Destination. Brand.

Wednesday 11th December
Bloomberg European HQ

Welcome Breakfast

|
9:00 am
No items found.

Welcome to FDB 2024

|
9:30 am
Duncan Chater
Managing Director
Bloomberg Media Europe
Nick Hall
Founder & CEO
Digital Tourism Think Tank

Building Partnerships in the Attention Economy

Keynote
|
9:45 am

In today's competitive tourism landscape, data-driven marketing is essential for capturing the attention of travellers. Explore how harnessing the power of data analytics and cutting-edge AI technology can be leveraged to craft personalised, engaging campaigns that resonate with high-net-worth individuals.

David Meany
Head of Travel
Boomberg Media
Phil Robinson
Head of Data Science & Insights EMEA
Bloomberg Media

Defining Impact as an Omni-Present Brand

Keynote
|
10:20 am

In the age of AI, the possibilities for creating truly omni-present digital brand experiences are boundless. This session delves into the art and science of destination marketing and the implications of technological advancements and changing consumer behaviour. Tourism Ireland shares brand thinking across channels and viewpoints for the future.

Alice Mansergh
Chief Executive
Tourism Ireland

The Essence of a Brand

Keynote
|
10:55 am

In this compelling session, Emma Campbell, Sector Marketing Director at DCT Abu Dhabi, will share insights from Abu Dhabi's transformative journey in redefining its destination brand. This presentation will explore how Abu Dhabi has successfully carved out its distinctive identity by authentically embracing its cultural heritage while developing a competitive positioning within the region.

Emma Campbell
Sector Marketing Director and Acting Director of Strategic Communications
DCT Abu Dhabi

Reimagining Tourism & Technology: Building Digital-First Communities

Keynote
|
11:30 am

In this intimate fireside conversation, we'll explore how technology is reshaping not just how we travel, but how communities thrive in the digital age. John Park from Airbnb will share insights on how data-driven approaches and technological innovation are transforming traditional perspectives on tourism, community development, and economic empowerment.

John Park
Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy Campaigns for Northern Europe
Airbnb

Future Policy Agenda: Embracing Digital Transformation

Panel
|
12:00 pm

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, understanding the implications of regulations is crucial for the tourism industry. This panel provides a comprehensive overview of how major policy developments are shaping the future of tourism and opportunities to adapt and thrive in the changing environment.

Orla O'Keeffe
Head of Industry Digitalisation
Fáilte Ireland
Caroline Dunlea
CEO and Co-Founder
Core Optimisation
Sanne van Let
Manager Digital
NBTC
Hermione Nevill
Senior Tourism Specialist
IFC (World Bank Group)

Lunch

|
12:40 pm
No items found.

Framing the Future Digital Agenda on the Media Impact of AI

Keynote
|
1:45 pm

As generative AI continues to reshape the media landscape, the ethical implications of its use in tourism marketing must be clearly understood. This session will delve into the benefits and risks of using AI to enhance marketing efforts, considering how to ensure transparency and accuracy in content generation, the role AI plays in optimising digital media and the environmental implications of AI-enabled marketing activities.

Duncan Chater
Managing Director
Bloomberg Media Europe

Content Trends. Story Relevance. Impact.

Keynote
|
1:55 pm

With content saturation challenging even the most established destinations, this session offers unique insights from Catharina Riess, Director of Mediahouse at Vienna Tourist Board, on how their innovative approach to storytelling and content strategy is reshaping destination marketing and management.

Catharina Riess
Director Mediahouse
Vienna Tourist Board

Seeking Confluence: Strategy vs. Technology

Keynote
|
2:30 pm

In an era of rapid technological advancement and organisational transformation, this session offers compelling insights from Line Nøhr, Chief Marketing Officer at VisitDenmark, on the delicate balance between strategic vision and technological implementation. Drawing from her experience in reshaping VisitDenmark's approach to destination marketing, Line will share how fundamental organisational change can drive digital innovation while maintaining strategic focus.

Line Nøhr
Chief Marketing Officer
VisitDenmark

Purpose, Strategy and Global Marketing

Keynote
|
3:05 pm

In this strategic session, Charel van Dam, Marketing Director at NBTC, will demonstrate how the Netherlands is aligning its core destination DNA with purposeful global marketing initiatives while addressing contemporary challenges. Drawing from NBTC's comprehensive approach to destination management, this talk will showcase how traditional Dutch themes are being strategically positioned to create meaningful impact in international markets.

Charel van Dam
Marketing Director
NBTC

Coffee Break

|
3:35 pm
No items found.

Redefining Destination Marketing: How Visit Sweden Drives Growth with Limited Resources

Keynote
|
4:00 pm

In an era of digital transformation, destination marketing has evolved rapidly, demanding new strategies and approaches. This session offers a unique perspective from Nils Persson, the Chief Marketing Officer of VisitSweden, on how his organisation has successfully navigated this landscape and driven impressive growth - all while operating on a limited budget compared to its larger competitors.

Nils Persson
Chief Marketing Officer
Visit Sweden

Sustainable Tourism. Is it an Oxymoron?

Panel
|
4:35 pm

Heightened awareness of sustainable tourism has made this a paramount concern for travellers and destinations alike. This session explores the critical role of transparency in building trust, fostering responsible practices and ensuring the long-term viability of tourism destinations and how to embed this message across all communications with visitors.

Eleni Skarveli
Director GNTO UK & Ireland
Greek National Tourism Organisation
John Fraher
Senior Executive Editor for Energy, Climate and Equality
Bloomberg News
Tanny Por
Head of International Relations
Visit Greenland
Jonas Løvschall-Wedel
Head of International Communication
Wonderful Copenhagen

Horizon Technology: The Impact Today, Tomorrow

Panel
|
5:10 pm

Staying informed about emerging technologies is essential for maintaining a competitive edge and capitalising on opportunities. This session explores how destinations are leveraging the rapid developments in AI to create stronger brand experiences. From AI driven conversational marketing, to using technology to transform team workflow, we’ll explore how horizon technologies are unlocking new opportunities. Expecting join a dynamic, lively debate with a wide range of perspectives shared by leading destinations, designed to unpackaged every major development happening in digital right now.

Aleksandra Jerebic Topolovec
Web Manager
Slovenian Tourist Board
Valentina Cappio
Head of Brand and Communication
Trentino Marketing
Claire Cadogan
Head of Digital Marketing
Fáilte Ireland
Insuk Kim
Digital Content Manager
Visit Greenland

Thanks for Joining!

|
5:50 pm
Nick Hall
Founder & CEO
Digital Tourism Think Tank

Venues

Find out how to get to our venues.

Future. Destination. Brand.

Wednesday 11th December, 9:00am
Bloomberg European HQ
3 Queen Victoria St, London EC4N 4TQ

X. Awards 2024

Swipe through the well-deserved shortlisted entries of this years X. Awards.