TOURISE Forms Diverse Advisory Council to Steer Global Travel Revolution at Inaugural Summit in Riyadh

TOURISE, the groundbreaking global platform shaping the future of tourism, has officially announced the formation of its Advisory Board, a distinguished group of industry leaders set to steer the strategic direction of this bold new initiative. The platform, which promises to become a catalyst for innovation, investment, and sustainability in the tourism sector, will host its inaugural global summit in Riyadh from November 11-13, 2025.

The formation of the TOURISE Advisory Board represents a significant step in ensuring that global tourism remains adaptable, sustainable, and inclusive. The board’s 14 members are drawn from diverse sectors, including tourism, technology, aviation, entertainment, sustainability, and education, reflecting TOURISE’s commitment to driving cross-sector collaboration and transformative change.

Chaired by His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, the Minister of Tourism of Saudi Arabia, the Advisory Board is designed to bring together some of the most influential figures from across the global tourism ecosystem. The members represent a wide range of expertise, from corporate giants like Amadeus, TikTok, and Cirque du Soleil to key players in sustainable tourism such as the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC).

Board members include Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), and Randy Durband, CEO of the GSTC, as well as Luis Maroto, CEO of Amadeus, and Blake Chandlee, former President of Global Business Solutions at TikTok. Other key members include Neil Jacobs, founder of Wild Origins, Stephane Lefebvre, President of Cirque du Soleil, and Jordi Carnes, President of Leitat Technological Center. The list also includes Mo Gawdat, founder of One Billion Happy, and Patrick Andersen, CEO of Carlson Wagonlit Travel.

This exceptional blend of talent and expertise ensures that the Advisory Board will be able to tackle some of the most pressing issues in global tourism today, such as sustainability, equity, and technological advancements.

The central objective of the TOURISE Advisory Board is to ensure that the platform’s initiatives spotlight key global issues. This includes enhancing geographical representation, fostering sectoral diversity, and addressing critical concerns like equity in tourism. The board is also dedicated to advancing sustainable practices within the sector, with a clear focus on ensuring that tourism benefits not only the industry but also the local communities and environments it touches.

The Advisory Board’s efforts will significantly influence the TOURISE Summit’s agenda, ensuring that the event covers high-impact topics that are crucial for shaping the future of global tourism. The TOURISE Summit is expected to serve as an important platform for collaboration, where visionaries from various sectors will come together to discuss and implement strategies that will define the tourism sector for decades to come.

In a world that is increasingly interconnected, the tourism sector must evolve in response to the changing needs of travelers, businesses, and governments. The TOURISE Summit aims to be the starting point for a new era of tourism, one where sustainability and innovation are at the forefront of the industry’s evolution.

His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb expressed that TOURISE’s goal is not just to create a summit, but to create an ongoing movement. The platform will operate year-round, offering continued opportunities for global stakeholders to collaborate and take action on crucial tourism issues. The Advisory Board will play a critical role in shaping this vision, ensuring that TOURISE remains relevant and responsive to the needs of the sector.

The TOURISE Summit, which will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, promises to be a landmark event in global tourism. As one of the world’s premier platforms, TOURISE will bring together leaders from various industries to reset the tourism landscape and set new standards for what it means to be a responsible, innovative, and sustainable sector.

TOURISE’s impact will not be limited to just a single event. The platform is designed to operate continuously, with the TOURISE Summit acting as the launchpad for ongoing discussions and initiatives that will continue throughout the year. By engaging stakeholders in a year-round dialogue, TOURISE aims to keep the momentum of change going, creating a space where bold ideas can be transformed into tangible solutions.

As a physically exclusive event with digitally inclusive participation, TOURISE ensures that the voices of industry leaders from all corners of the globe are heard and that the solutions discussed at the summit can be implemented worldwide. This inclusivity will ensure that the tourism sector remains dynamic and adaptable, with diverse perspectives shaping the policies and practices of tomorrow.

The formation of the TOURISE Advisory Board marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of global tourism. With an exceptional lineup of leaders from diverse sectors, the board is poised to guide TOURISE’s agenda and drive the platform’s impact on the industry. By focusing on collaboration, sustainability, and inclusivity, TOURISE is setting the stage for a tourism sector that is future-focused, responsible, and poised for growth.

As the tourism industry looks ahead, TOURISE promises to be the spark for the next 50 years of transformative change, bringing together visionaries who are ready to tackle the most pressing challenges and seize the most exciting opportunities for the future of travel.