Speakers and moderators

Helen Marano

Executive Vice President, External Affairs, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)

Having joined WTTC in 2012, Helen Marano leads the efforts for expanding the awareness and engagement of WTTC and the T&T industry with the academia, other key tourism stakeholders and non-traditional organisations from the supply chain.

Previously, she built the Government and Industry Affairs Department for the advocacy efforts of WTTC in presenting the industry perspective to government leaders and organisations.

Helen is a seasoned leader, having previously led the National Travel & Tourism Office of the United States for over a decade. This involved industry relations, policy formation, and oversight of the statistical system for T & T for the USA.  Her key accomplishments included opening up the USA for Chinese group travel, building the first Travel & Tourism Satellite Account, serving as the Chair for the Tourism Working Group of APEC, and collaborating in the formation of the Brand USA Corporation for marketing the USA.

Helen serves on: the High Level Task Force for Child Protection in Travel and Tourism; the Advisory Board for the International Summit on Borders; and the Advisory Board for the University of Surrey School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Her continued leadership and engagement at WTTC targets to improve and protect the sustainability of the sector as she heralds the importance of Travel & Tourism for the economic and social benefits contributing to the world community.

Why attend

  • Over 600 attendees from the global youth and student travel industry
  • 150+ pre-selected buyers
  • Up to 48 pre-scheduled business appointments
  • 92% senior management attendees
  • 25 seminars and workshops
  • Up to 7 networking events