6 - 10 April 2025
Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre
Muscat, Oman
Multidimensionality of water sustainability stretches across sectors:
After technology transformation comes human transformation in the way we treat water. Responsible Tourism must become a strategic driver for water legacy.
Mr. Ignacio Deregibus, CEO of IWRA Intl. Water Resources Association
How water conferences in a destination enforce cross-sector collaboration between all stakeholders and support better governance
Moderated: tba – airline (Qatar Airways)
Tentative Speakers: Qatar Airways, Turkish Airline, Oman Air
Topics:
11.00 – 11.30 Part I (30 minutes)
How can older hotels and historic buildings in Oman catch up to become “smart and sustainable” in water saving, leakage detection, energy & waste reduction.
-New projects set the tone in data monitoring of all water management – what is latest in best practise?
-Certification as initial driver
-Communication and branding – “Do good and talk about it”
Moderated: tba –
Tentative Speakers – Elevator pitches for water measures (5 minutes each)
Omran/BREEAM for the development project (convention center and hotels area)
Green Key / popular certification
Yiti Sustainable City
Design Hotels
Followed by short moderated discussion
11.30 – 12.00 Part II (30 minutes)
Monitoring water use and irregularities is the basis for efficient water use management.
-What monitoring technology is presently applied and what new monitoring is available?
-What are the main challenges for adapting water saving solutions that are needed to overcome.
Moderated: tba –
Tentative Speakers
IHG Group-Crowne Plaza Engineers
Marriott Hotels Oman
Strawberry hotels
Movenpick hotels Mascat
AI based technology solutions – data
AI based technology solutions – visualization
Moderated discussion
Keynote: speaker to be confirmed
Msc cruises, trip.com, CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association)
What are cruiselines doing to engage their guests in sustainability programs. On board, at port, in destination visits.
Branding: How can mentorship for water create sustainable brands and add purpose to cruise line business, elevating the importance of water protection and water saving to cruise passengers
(Data about motivation of cruise passengers for sustainable offers – DMCs and ports: What do Cruise passengers look for, what innovative experiences can add purpose (wetlands, mangroves, information, gaming)
Tourist Board /DMC: Creating responsible day tours – how to engaging cruise passengers in water responsibility and avoid overexposure (wise development)
Local ports: how can they support the sustainability programs of cruiselines
Introduce a Call to action: Initiating a research project with a focus on supporting water responsibility in Oman through cruise passengers - research: what do passengers look for? What data can be useful?
14.30 – 15.00
Keynote:
Requested: Eleni Myrivili – UN Chief Heat Officer (requested), Convention Bureau with a heat resilience program (e g Algarve CVB, Portugal)
-What are the most important touch-points of water management and heat resilience?
-case study of the city of Athens, where she was the first Heat Resilience Manager appointed in Europe.
-emergency and crisis plans in heat waves
15.00 – 15.15 Speaker: tba Raya? Someone involved in National Cultural sustainability
Heat Resilience for endangered local communities – fishermen
-How can visitors (e g day visitors from cruise ships) contribute to legacy programs -case study fishermen communities and traditional architecture.
-How to help revive old wisdom in Oman for heat resilience.
15.15 – 15.30 Speaker? Dr. Buthaina?
Driving intangible In-Country Value in the Water Sector:
Education, Research, Innovation
15.30 - 15.45 Introduction of a Call for Action:
Presenter: bank (sponsor) with a grant for the challenge
Innovation scouting: A challenge for innovators to introduce ideas for better water sustainability in communities.
Introducing the program
Announcement of three best ideas in 2nd Water & Tourism Forum 2026