WELCOME TO GD2026 KRANJ, SLOVENIA

Speakers and Panelists

Keynote Speakers

We are pleased to welcome the keynote speakers for GD2026 Kranj. Their expertise, insights, and inspiring perspectives will help shape the conversations throughout this year’s conference.

Dr. Lučka Kajfež Bogataj

Dr. Lučka Kajfež Bogataj is one of Slovenia’s leading climate scientists and a joint recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize as a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). A professor at the University of Ljubljana, her research focuses on climate change, applied meteorology, and the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, agriculture, and society.

An internationally recognised expert, she has contributed to numerous national and European research projects and is a passionate science communicator, regularly engaging the public through lectures, debates, publications, and books to raise awareness of climate change and sustainability.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Dr. Jens Thraenhart

Dr. Jens Thraenhart is the CEO of Chameleon Strategies, a venture incubator and investor in the travel and tourism industry, and founder of Destinspire — the home of Passion-Tourism, PassionExplorer.com, and Saudi Outbound. He served as CEO of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (2021 to 2023), Executive Director of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (2014 to 2021), and most recently as Advisor to the Saudi Tourism Authority (2024-2026). During his tenure in Barbados, the destination received the Green Destinations Award in the climate and environment category. He is the author of The Passion-Tourism Economy series, with the first book in the series, “The Devotion Dividend,” published in October 2026. He is co-founder of High-Yield Tourism and AsiaTravelTrends.com. For more than a decade, he has curated global travel and tourism innovations and campaigns on TourismCampaigns.com and Innovation.travel. He writes on destination strategy and balanced tourism at BalancedTourism.com. He holds a Doctorate from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and a Master’s from Cornell University, and serves on the board of the UN Tourism Affiliate Members.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Prof. Dr. Peter Zimmer

Prof. Dr. Peter Zimmer is an internationally recognised expert in sustainable tourism and regional development, with more than 30 years of experience in tourism strategy, destination management, CSR, and sustainability consulting. He is a member of the European sustainable tourism network ECOTRANS, has been involved with TourCert and Green Globe initiatives, and has led numerous international tourism and regional development projects across Europe and Africa.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Special Attendees

We are proud to welcome our special guests from Kranj and Slovenia to GD2026. Representing a country recognised for its innovation, culture, and commitment to sustainability, they reflect Slovenia’s growing leadership in sustainable tourism.

Matjaž Rakovec

Mayor, City of Kranj

Maja Pak Olaj

Director, Slovenian Tourist Board

Klemen Malovrh

Director, Institute of Tourism and Culture Kranj

Moderators

We are excited to welcome our GD2026 moderators: Green Destinations and Good Travel Institute experts who will guide engaging discussions, facilitate meaningful conversations, and help explore the conference’s key themes from diverse perspectives.

Dr. Albert Salman

Executive Director, Good Travel Institute

MODERATOR

Dr. D’Arcy Dornan

Regional Director, Good Travel Institute

MODERATOR

Patricia Marull

Interim Executive Director, Green Destinations Foundation

MODERATOR

Noah Pircher

Certification Program Director, Green Destinations Foundation

MODERATOR

Patice Talaue

Director Training and Support, Green Destinations

MODERATOR

Kirsi Hyvaerinen

Regional Coordinator, Good Travel Alliance

MODERATOR

Panelists

Introducing our GD2026 panelists: A diverse group of voices in sustainable tourism who will share their insights, experiences, and destination perspectives on the conference’s key themes.