Sir Rocco Forte to appear at ATM Leaders Breakfast

Regional travel industry professionals will come together at Arabian Travel Market's first Leaders Breakfast, with Sir Rocco Forte as the keynote speaker.

The invitation-only event will take place on Wednesday, April 27, 2016.

As well as providing a platform for networking, the highlight of the session will be an interview by BBC World News television anchor Zeinab Badawi with veteran luxury hotelier, Sir Rocco Forte, chairman of Rocco Forte Hotels.

Topical industry issues will be discussed, such as opportunities for luxury brands in Iran, the impact of technology on distribution channels and guest experience as well as his views on the future of the industry – online travel agents and the future of luxury in the Middle East post 2020.

“Sir Rocco and Zeinab will discuss current industry issues and the trends that will undoubtedly shape the future of the travel and tourism industry. With almost 47 years’ hands-on experience, Sir Rocco has in-depth knowledge of the hospitality business that is virtually unmatched. Add to that his frank and candid interview style and he was the perfect choice for our first ATM Leaders Breakfast event,” said Nadege Noblet-Segers, exhibition manager, Arabian Travel Market.

Son of the late Lord Charles Forte, and a descendant of one of the UK’s well-known hospitality dynasties, Forte founded his luxury hotel company in 1996 following a career with Forte Plc, which he joined in 1969.

He oversaw the group which at one point, managed a portfolio of more than 800 hotels, 1,000 restaurants and almost 100,000 employees located in 50 countries.

Rocco Forte Hotels currently operates hotels in European destinations including London, Edinburgh, Brussels, Florence, Rome, Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin, and St. Petersburg, as well as a flagship property in Jeddah. Saudi Arabia.

In 2009, Rocco Forte Hotels launched Verdura, the company’s first resort on the island of Sicily and has an active strategy for future expansion into new European destinations and other global markets, with a Shanghai hotel set to open in 2018.

Knighted in 1994 for services to the UK tourism industry he was also president of the British Hospitality Association (the main trade body for the UK hotel and catering industry) from 1991-6, and has also been an active member of the Executive Committee of the World Travel & Tourism Council.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, Arabian Travel Market is now in its 23rd year.