Bruges, Belgium is set to host an event aimed at transforming urban tourism through sustainability and innovation. From October 15 to 18, 2024, destination marketing professionals from around the world will attend the GDS-Forum and CityDNA Autumn Conference. These co-located events will provide a platform for industry leaders to explore innovative strategies, collaborate on sustainability initiatives and transform the future of tourism.
The combined theme of the events, “Let Pigs Fly,” aims to disrupt the conventional approach to urban tourism and the visitor economy by showcasing stories of achieving the impossible and driving change. It's expected to be a gathering of "bold individuals who are challenging the status quo and pushing the boundaries of destination innovation and transformation."
GDS-Forum
The GDS-Forum, known for its dynamic and unconventional "un-conference" model, aims to empower attendees to become more regenerative destination leaders. Through interactive workshops and collaborative sessions, participants will identify traits of transformational leaders and share actionable initiatives to drive positive socio-economic and environmental change in cities and regions. Together, attendees will unlock their collective intelligence, share meaningful exchanges, solve shared challenges and accelerate their destinations' sustainable and regenerative transformation.
CityDNA Autumn Conference
The CityDNA Autumn Conference will delve into the transformative potential of AI, urban innovation, sustainable destination management and business event impacts. With themed sessions exploring topics like predictive analytics, crisis management and open-source innovation, attendees will gain insights into leveraging technology for sustainable tourism practices.
GDS-Awards Ceremony
One of the highlights of the two events will be the GDS-Awards ceremony on the Wednesday evening. Celebrating this year's winners in destination leadership and regenerative innovation, the ceremony, recognizing outstanding achievements in sustainable tourism, will be held at the historic Royal Municipal Theatre.
To learn more, visit www.citydestinationsalliance.org.
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