Gulf Air Chief Executive Officer Mr. Samer Majali will spearhead discussions among leading global aviation professionals as Chairman of the Aviation Travel and Tourism Governors Meeting for Annual Meeting 2011 at the World Economic Forum. 

Mr. Majali will chair the Governors’ Meeting in Davos that comprises key industry front-runners including top industry and civil aviation officials from various countries. The members will engage in dialogue, rethink systems and explore strategies and solutions that can create a positive impact for the industry. This year’s discussions will focus on transport security and open borders as well as broader issues such as resource security, the future of manufacturing and consumer trends. 

As the Chairman of the Aviation Travel and Tourism Governors Meeting for 2011, the Forum will also look for Mr. Majali’s guidance in helping to shape the Governors’ Meeting agenda to reflect the issues presently challenging the sector. The objective will be to ensure on-going interaction between community members, improve the quality of the dialogue and drive measurable outputs for projects in which the community is involved. 

Mr. Majali said, “The World Economic Forum is an international think-tank that has been encouraging global businesses, governments and civil society to come together and commit to improving the state of the world. For more than four decades, it has been an important international platform helping to shape the global agenda and catalyze solutions.” 

“The global aviation industry today is at cross-roads having just emerged from  the effects of the economic recession, yet still facing multiple macro and micro economic challenges, both expected and unexpected. During my tenure, I hope to engage and steer community members towards developing strategies and solutions for the benefit of the global aviation industry. I look forward to encouraging discussions throughout 2011 with my colleagues from the industry.” 

Mr. Talal Al Zain, Chief Executive of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company (Mumtalakat) and Chairman of Gulf Air, said, “Choosing Samer Majali as the Chairman of the Aviation Travel and Tourism Governors Meeting for 2011 is a reflection of his tremendous experience in the industry and the thought leadership he has shown throughout his career. It is a great honour for him and and for Gulf Air.” 

The World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting at Davos brings global leaders from the industry, government, academia, civil society and the media at the start of each year who gather under different communities and deliberate on key issues of concern to the world. 

Mr. Majali  who has served as the President of the Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO) and Chairman of the IATA Board of Governors earlier, is currently a member of the Board of Governors of IATA as well as a member of the Executive Committee, AACO.