Mr. Michael Levie, CEO citizenM

Michael Levie is CEO of the young, innovative, awardwinning citizenM hotelgroup. He will talk about innovation in Hospitality.  ‘Mobile citizens know what they like in a good hotel and what they don't need from a bad one. What they like is affordable luxury including stylish design, the best entertainment, sociable atmosphere, a comfortable bed and big fluffy towels. They need a hotel in a good location but one where they can rest easily. CitizenM acted on these needs, wishes and desires. The result is a unique, hotel experience for an affordable price’  says Michael Levie.

Louis J. Frankenhuis  will present his vision about sustainability, wilderness protection and tourism.  ‘PAN Parks applies a truly integrated approach combining wilderness protection and sustainable tourism development.  I believe that wilderness protection and tourism go well together. It’s my aim to take PAN Parks Foundation into its next stage of development after the first 10 years of establishing the organisation’  says Louis Frankenhuis.

Catrien Santing will put hospitality in historical perspective. She holds a chair in medieval and cultural history at the University of Groningen (NL) and is convinced that academic historians should not retreat to their ivory towers but demonstrate the general public the topical value of historical knowledge. Catrien Santing: 'the passion for hospitality would benefit from a balance between ethics and business’. In her presentation she will therefore, from a historical point of view, explore the concept of hospitality business within the context of sincere charity one side and the earning of money on the other.

Destination branding

Hans van Driem will present his vision on Destination Branding. He is working for Holland Business Promotion Office (HBPO).  The objective of HBPO is to coordinate the international promotion of economic sectors of Holland such as foreign investments in biotecnology, logistics and large hospitality and leisure projects. 'Destinations are not discovered anymore but they are created' says  Hans van Driem.