Global Tourism Faces a New Era
The travel industry is entering a defining moment. With artificial intelligence transforming every aspect of travel, new generations of travelers seeking purpose and authenticity, and an increasing demand for sustainability, the traditional model of tourism is being rewritten.
From October 22 to 24, Seville will host the Tourism Innovation Summit 2025 (TIS2025), where global leaders will explore how to reshape the future of travel. At the heart of the event will be the CEOs & Leadership Summit, a dedicated forum for the sector’s most influential minds.
Among the headline speakers are Alessandro Petazzi, CEO of Lastminute.com; Gabriel SubÃas, CEO of W2M (World2Meet, part of the Iberostar Group); Pere Vallés, CEO of Exoticca; and Gregory Sion, CEO of Pierre et Vacances Europe. Together, they will share how they are reinventing business models, adapting to rapid digital transformation, and leading companies into a new era of intelligent and responsible tourism.
Rethinking Success in Tourism
The conversation at TIS2025 will go beyond growth metrics. The industry is moving away from measuring success purely through visitor numbers and spending, instead focusing on tourism’s positive impact on local communities and environments.
Tina O’Dwyer, CEO of The Tourism Space, will emphasize how destinations can move from volume-driven to value-driven models, measuring well-being and sustainability rather than occupancy alone. This new approach aims to make tourism not only profitable but also regenerative and inclusive.
Disruption, Alliances and New Players
As the industry evolves, mergers, acquisitions, and strategic partnerships are reshaping the global travel landscape. W2M’s Gabriel SubÃas and Certares’ Henry Briance will analyze how tourism groups can remain resilient amid constant market shifts and new entrants.
The summit will also highlight how companies outside traditional tourism are entering the sector. Rodolphe Lenoir of Impact Consultants, Damien Corchi of Decathlon Travel, and Nicolas Gerbal of Showroom Privé will reveal how brands built on sports, retail, and lifestyle are leveraging their communities to create unique travel products. These new players represent a powerful shift toward experience-driven travel that blends commerce, culture, and community.
Innovation and Artificial Intelligence
Technology continues to redefine the industry’s foundations. Dan Christian, founder of the Travel Trends Podcast, will show how artificial intelligence is already transforming travel operations, product design, and customer engagement.
In business travel and events, Noelia Herranz, Global Vice President of Business Enablement at American Express Global Business Travel, will demonstrate how AI is revolutionizing the MICE sector.
Meanwhile, CEOs from Lastminute, Exoticca, and WeRoad will discuss how they are using data, automation, and personalization to create seamless, emotionally engaging travel experiences. In hospitality, Gregory Sion of Pierre et Vacances Europe will outline how innovation is driving efficiency, loyalty, and customer-centric transformation across the hotel sector.
Empowering People to Drive Change
Beyond technology, TIS2025 will focus on the human side of transformation. Industry leaders including Carlos Bello of Ilunion Hotels, José Emanuel Soler of Les Roches, and Felicia Williams of TravelPerk will explore how companies are rethinking organizational culture, encouraging experimentation, and empowering teams to innovate.
Talent development and inclusion will be presented as key drivers of resilience, creativity, and long-term competitiveness in a rapidly changing industry.
As Seville becomes the epicenter of global tourism debate, the CEOs of Lastminute, W2M, Exoticca, and Pierre et Vacances will set the tone for a new generation of leadership—one focused on innovation, impact, and purpose.
