The Programme
Join us for a day of inspiring discussions, insightful conversations, and networking with leading industry experts.
Agenda
Stay tuned! The detailed agenda will be announced shortly.
You can look forward to a dynamic mix of insightful sessions, engaging panel discussions, interactive breakout sessions featuring industry experts from eMarketingEye, Sabre, Lighthouse, Revinate, Yango Ads, and other leading digital marketing platforms. All alongside excellent opportunities for networking with peers and professionals from across the hospitality industry.
Agenda
08:30 - 09:00
Register, Meet and Mingle
Collect your lanyard and name tag at the registration desk, and savor a coffee while mingling with fellow conference delegates. The exhibitor booths are open to all conference delegates, offering a chance to meet exhibitors and gain new insights.
09:00 - 09:05
Introduction
09:05 - 09:15
Opening Remarks
Rajitha Dahanayake
CEO
eMarketingEye
09:15 - 09:35
Surf’s Up: Riding the Global Travel Trend Wave to the Maldives
As the global travel landscape shifts, the Maldives stands at the forefront of hospitality innovation. Explore how the digital revolution, evolving traveler expectations, and sustainability trends are shaping the future of the island’s tourism industry and how resorts can leverage these changes to stay ahead
Charithya Kandage
Vice President – Account Management
eMarketingEye
Salmah Rasheed
Associate Director and Head of Social Media
eMarketingEye
09:35 - 09:55
How retailing is enabling hoteliers to drive total revenue
What if you could easily drive more spend through merchandising to your guests at the time of booking, while delivering on the preferences and add-ons each unique traveler wants? Selling more relevant ancillary products has been shown to drive higher booking conversion. For hoteliers, having a successful merchandising strategy results in higher guest satisfaction, greater revenue, and strategic differentiation from competitors in an evolving industry. But what does it take to get there? How far are you willing to get out of your comfort zone? In this session, you'll learn how retailing and merchandising is changing hospitality as hoteliers drive revenue beyond the room.
Anshul Kumar
Director of Sales, SEA
Sabre Hospitality
09:55- 10:15
Set Sail for Success with EME: Supercharge Your Resort's Direct Booking Strategy
Unlock the full potential of your resort’s direct booking strategy with data-driven insights and innovative digital marketing campaigns. Discover how EME helps you elevate performance, and drive more direct revenue.
Dasun Premasinghe
Vice President - Digital Marketing
eMarketingEye
10:15 - 10:45
Coffee Break
Expresso Yourself
10:45 - 11:15
Panel discussion
TBD
11:15 - 11:35
Session 4
TBD
Panel discussion
TBD
This panel delves into the transformative role of digital marketing in shaping the future of tourism in Sri Lanka. Explore how digital can elevate the hospitality industry to enhance the country’s online presence and remain competitive as an attractive destination in the global market.
Chalaka Gajabahu
Chairman
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau
Sarawut Tantichote
Senior Director of e-Commerce & Digital Advertising
Minor Hotels
Maxime Wickramasinghe
Director Marketing
Thema Collection
Rajitha Dahanayake
Chief Executive Officer
eMarketingEye
Moderator
Glen Grosic
Managing Director, Asia
HSMAI Asia Pacific
11:35 - 11:50
Kahoot
11:50 - 12:10
Session 5
TBD
12:10 - 12:30
Maximizing Profits in 2025: Spotlight on Maldives’ Tourism Trends
Unlock future opportunities with Lighthouse. We'll help you go From Data Overload to Actionable Insights, illuminating key travel trends and the journey From Searches to Stays. Forget the crystal ball – we provide the most probable forecast to optimize your revenue. Get ready for actionable takeaways on understanding future demand.
Kuan Yii Chan
Senior Business Development Manager, APAC
Lighthouse
11:30 - 11:55
Illuminating the path to commercial success for hoteliers
An insightful insight on how hoteliers can maximise their revenue using data and the importance of AI in the hospitality space
Mohammad Abdul Ahad
Business Development - Indian Subcontinent
Lighthouse
11:55 - 12:20
Cutting-edge strategies for Hospitality Industry
Dive into detailed case studies of innovative strategies, and creative executions that achieved remarkable results. Uncover key tactics, and gain actionable insights to elevate your marketing efforts.
Kusalika Basnayake
Senior Vice President - Digital Marketing
eMarketingEye
Chandima Welagedara
Vice President - Digital Marketing
eMarketingEye
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch Break
Bon appétit
13:30 - 13:50
Track 1 - Session One
You can't rush Paradise! SEO Reloaded: Thriving in the AI Search Era
Explore how to thrive in the new era by mastering the SEO fundamentals that still matter: optimizing keywords with intent, building high-quality backlinks, and fixing critical technical issues that impact site performance. Discover how to align your strategy with AI algorithms and build sustainable, long-term success.
Kusalika Basnayake
Senior Vice President - Digital Marketing
eMarketingEye
Chandima Welagedara
Vice President – Digital Marketing
eMarketingEye
13:50 - 14:10
Track 1 - Session Two
Data Speaks. Are You Ready to Listen? Uncovering insights behind the numbers
Decode the numbers to uncover the stories hidden within your data, with a seamless tracking setup. Use these insights to take actionable steps that enhance your direct booking strategy.
Dasun Premasinghe
Vice President – Digital Marketing
eMarketingEye
Sudharaka Dhammasena
Head of Digital Analytics
eMarketingEye
13:30 - 13:50
Track 2 - Session One
Websites That Wanderlust How to design hotel websites that make you want to pack your bags
This session dives into the art and science of designing hotel websites that spark desire, stir emotions, and drive bookings. From stunning visuals and immersive UX to seamless mobile experiences and scroll-stopping CTAs, discover how to turn wanderlust into action with design that transports users—before they’ve even clicked “book now.
Suranga Rajakaruna
Senior Vice President - Web Solutions
eMarketingEye
Charithya Kandage
Vice President – Account Management
eMarketingEye
13:50 - 14:10
Track 2 - Session Two
Clicks to Check-ins: PPC That Converts
Explore how search, metasearch, and display advertising work together to drive high value bookings. This session covers strategies for capturing intent, increasing direct bookings, and using ads to inspire travel.
14:10 - 14:40
Coffee Break
Expresso Yourself
14:40 - 15:10
Panel discussion
Digital Strategies and Technologies Shaping Tomorrow's Marketing Landscape
This panel will discuss how digital technologies are driving revenue, enhancing guest experiences, fostering innovation, and shaping the future of hospitality. Engage with industry leaders and seize the opportunity to have your questions addressed and gain valuable insights.
Rajitha Dahanayake
CEO
eMarketingEye
Nick Jeffery
Vice-President Sales – International
Sabre
Mohammad Abdul Ahad
Business Development Manager, India Subcontinent
Lighthouse
Murphy Mathew
Senior Regional Solutions Engineer
IDeaS
Moderator
Dasun Premasinghe
Vice President - Digital Marketing
eMarketingEye
Panel discussion
15:10 - 15:30
TBD
15:30 - 15:50
Sun, Sand, and Social: Your Ultimate Social Media Blueprint for the Maldives
In the world of endless scrolling, it’s not enough to just catch attention—you need to convert it into action. This session explores how to craft compelling social media campaigns that blend creative storytelling, performance marketing, and AI-driven personalization to boost brand visibility and drive bookings for your Maldives resort.
Chandima Welagedara
Vice President – Digital Marketing
eMarketingEye
Salmah Rasheed
Associate Director and Head of Social Media
eMarketingEye
15:50 - 16:00
WindUp
Kusalika Basnayake
Senior Vice President - Digital Marketing
eMarketingEye
We Are All in This Together
The Dedicated Team Behind EME’s Success
