City Destinations Alliance elected new Board Members during its International Conference and General Assembly, held in Budapest on 9 April 2025. The event gathered over 250 professionals from the leisure and business tourism sectors.
Patrick Bontinck (Brussels) and Sabine Schwanz (Madrid) were re-elected as Vice-Presidents. Patrik Romano (Bologna) was re-elected as Treasurer. Each will serve a new three-year term.
Łukasz Wysocki (Gdańsk) was newly elected to the Board. Miguel Angel Pérez (Valencia) was re-elected. Both will serve three-year terms.
Barbara Jamison-Woods (London) continues as President. Michael Otremba (Hamburg) remains Vice-President. The wider Board includes Maya Janssen (Amsterdam), Gerry Lennon (Belfast), Gary Breen (Dublin), Susanne Höller (Graz), Michaela Podoláková (Košice), and Jurgen Moors (Maastricht).
Executive committee Barbara Jamison, president (head of Europe & tourism sector, London & Partners) Patrick Bontinck, vice-president (CEO, visit.brussels) Michael Otremba, vice-president (CEO, Hamburg Tourismus) Sabine Schwanz, vice-president (director Travel Trade & Connectivity, Madrid Destino) Patrik Romano, Treasurer (managing director, Bologna Welcome)
Board Members Maya Janssen (managing director insights & marketing strategy, amsterdam&partners) Gerry Lennon (CEO, Visit Belfast) Gary Breen (head of visitor engagement, Dublin) Łukasz Wysocki (president of the Board, Visit Gdańsk) Susanne Höller (head of destination marketing, Graz Tourismus und Stadtmarketing) Michaela Podoláková (CEO, Visit Košice) Jurgen Moors (Director, Maastricht Convention Bureau) Miguel Angel Pérez (vice deputy director, VISIT VALÈNCIA Foundation)
City Destinations Alliance said the new leadership reflects a balance of continuity and fresh perspective. Wysocki commented: “Joining the CityDNA Board is an opportunity to represent destinations full of untapped potential. I’m passionate about accessibility – both as a principle and a strategic advantage.”
The conference theme was “Beyond Boundaries”, with a focus on inclusion, resilience and city collaboration across Europe.
