[Bangkok, Thailand] –James Hogan, Knighthood Global Chairman and aviation, travel and tourism industry veteran, will be the keynote speaker at the TDM Global Summit taking place in Bangkok on 29 April 2026.
Drawing on his extensive career, James he will deliver a keynote address focused on destination branding and tourism brand strategy, examining how destinations can successfully position themselves in an increasingly competitive global travel market.
James said: “Destination branding is at its core about building a nation. It’s fundamental to defining the nation – its culture, values, its ethos – for its own people, but also importantly, for foreign investors, businesses and tourists.”
He will underscore the critical importance of a clear national vision—one that aligns government, and private sector stakeholders including airlines, hotels, resorts, and hospitality groups behind a shared set of national goals and culturally authentic brand values. Without this strong alignment between
public and private sectors, even well-funded destination branding initiatives struggle to deliver sustainable results.
“The most successful destination brands are built on a shared national vision—one where government and industry work together, airlines act as brand ambassadors, and every stakeholder is aligned behind a common purpose.
“When you have a cohesive and authentic strategy, the possibilities for economic growth multiply exponentially, along with the huge opportunities for job creation and the development of a resilient national workforce.
“A correctly executed destination brand strategy provides a unique opportunity to empower and develop the local community who are best qualified to be a destination’s most effective and authentic brand ambassadors. “We saw this in Abu Dhabi, where Etihad, working with the government, created professional programmes that gave the emirates’ nationals exceptional opportunities to shine.”
His address will also explore how partnership and collaboration are essential to building strong and credible destination brands, highlighting the role of a national airline as a powerful global brand ambassador that helps shape first impressions in international markets. In parallel, he will discuss how hotels and travel management providers play a vital role in delivering the on-the-ground experience that ultimately brings the destination brand promise to life.
“Long-term, strategic investment is very important. But funding alone does not guarantee success. Instead, effective destination branding depends on consistent leadership, coordinated messaging, and sustained cooperation across all sectors of the tourism ecosystem,” he concluded. The TDM Global Summit brings together senior leaders from aviation, hospitality, tourism, and destination marketing to discuss emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of travel in Thailand, the region, and beyond.
About Knighthood Global
Founded by Principals James Hogan and James Rigney, and headquartered in the United Arab Emirates, Knighthood Global is a specialist aviation, travel, and tourism consultancy. The firm provides turnkey strategic planning and operational support solutions to governments and travel and tourism organizations worldwide, with a proven record of delivering transformational results.
Source: Knighthood Global