Travel DAZE 2020 speaker spotlight: Maria Elena Rossi, Italian National Tourist Board

Travel DAZE 2020 speaker spotlight: Maria Elena Rossi, Italian National Tourist Board

Travel DAZE 2020 is just around the corner, and we’ve got plenty of great speakers lined up to impart their much-needed wisdom to attendees.

One of those is Maria Elena Rossi, who has been managing the marketing and promotion department of the Italian National Tourist Board since April 2018.

Travel Weekly caught up with Rossi ahead of Travel DAZE to find out why the Italian National Tourist Board has decided to support next month’s event as presenting partner, and what to expect from her session…

Travel Weekly: Why did the Italian National Tourist Board decide to partner with Travel DAZE this year?

Maria Elena Rossi: Australia has always been an important market for Italy because although tourism numbers aren’t as high as some of the other neighbouring countries, Australian tourists have a tendency to stay longer, spend more money and have a great appreciation of our culture, history, our art cities, food and wine.

When we heard that the Travel DAZE event was going to be held online this year, we thought it would be a great opportunity to stay in touch and update the Australian tourism industry on what we are planning.

TW: What are you most looking forward to about Travel DAZE 2020?

MER: I’m looking forward to seeing the finalised program for the event and listening to the speakers from the other destinations talking about tourism recovery.

TW: What does the term ‘sustainability’ mean to the Italian National Tourist Board?

MER: Pre-pandemic sustainability was already on our radar, as Italy was experiencing overtourism in our art cities. With the current situation, it will be important to balance environmental sustainability with economic and social development.

Italian cities are now trying to make its cities more sustainable for both its citizens and for tourists for when travel eventually restarts. Italians are now rediscovering their own cities bringing more authenticity to our destination. We are seeing more sustainability than before in terms of transport, infrastructure, and Italians are re-thinking the way we are living in cities such as Rome, Florence and Milan.

I see the current situation as an opportunity for all of us to rebuild a better and more sustainable future.

TW: Why should people tune in to your session?

MER: Besides covering the important topics of tourism rebuilding and sustainability, we will also talk about our 100-year history as a tourist board and show you our new virtual museum, where you will be able to see our advertising campaigns dating back to the 1930s which have been taken from our archives and combined with new virtual technology.

Check out who else will be speaking alongside Rossi at Travel DAZE 2020 here.

The event (which will be the only travel industry event of its scale in Australia this year) will virtually bring together the best minds from within the travel sector, along with external experts, to foster its recovery from COVID-19.

Travel DAZE 2020 will explore what tangible steps business owners, travel agents, tour operators, marketers, and communication specialists can take toward rebuilding a sustainable and profitable future.

The conference will kick off on Monday 2 November and finish up on Friday 6 November, and the best part is that it’s absolutely FREE!

So, what are you waiting for? Click here to register, and be sure to visit the Travel DAZE website and keep an eye out for more stories regarding rego, speakers and session times.

Those keen on sponsoring Travel DAZE 2020 can get in touch with Harriet Morris (harriet@travelweekly.com.au).

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