City Destinations Alliance’s International Conference “The Elephant in the Room” will be held in Sofia on April 19-22, 2023. It is of vital importance to demystify hidden topics and make the most of of the collaborative advantage to address them.
We all know it’s there: The Elephant in The Room – that magnificent, big-eared presence that is too complex, too difficult, too sensitive, too uncomfortable to talk about openly. The world never stands still, and its elephants are evolving too! From net zero to labour shortage and challenges, passing by artificial intelligence and the shifting sphere of influence, 170+ members from DMOs all over Europe and beyond will get a new approach on existing elephants that have changed over time.
New elephants uncovered? The Power of CityDNA Community will expose new elephants in the room as attendees will be prompted to bring and share their own!
Net zero, decarbonization, nature positive, regenerative destinations… the first elephant has many names, but the real elephant of net zero is action! Thanks to Rodney Payne, CEO, Destination Think!, Michelle Morss, General Manager, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Mat Woods, Chief Executive, Destination Queenstown, Elke Dens, Global Director of Programs, The Travel Foundation and Dr. Ljubica Knežević Cvelbar, Professor, University of Ljubljana, attendees will get the answers to crucial questions: Are we moving – realistically – towards net zero by 2050 in tourism? Have we made the necessary choices, and do we understand which of our ways to shift and how?
The conference will also call out the elephant of actual influence – or rather, the shifting sphere of influence of the DMO and CVB in an interconnected urban environment of multiple voices, influencers, decision makers, layers of experience and major glocal disruptors. Jon Alexander, Co-Founder, New Citizenship Project will be praising about the Citizen Shift, and what it means to shift our thinking from consumers to citizens, inviting a more active and co-creative role in shaping tourism to our destinations.
