The event
In November 2025, Paris Norriss gave a keynote at the Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum (SITTF). His subject was the emergence of digital nomad travellers and how they are changing the tourism industry.
What Paris spoke about
Paris has spent 17 years in the Gulf making TV shows that uncover the culture of the Middle East, and that career creating adventure travel shows opened his eyes to how flexible modern living has become.
He told the story of the 4,800km row across the Pacific Ocean, after which he lived in Hawaii for three months among many other digital nomads. His point was that experiencing the world is far more accessible today than ever before, thanks to technologies and services that make it possible.
Co-living spaces, Airbnb, Uber, remote working visas and budget airlines have all evolved to support this way of life. For tourism leaders, that is both a shift in who the traveller is and an opportunity to design for them.
Highlights
- Keynote at the Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum.
- Topic: the rise of the digital nomad traveller and its impact on tourism.
- Stories from the Pacific row and three months living among digital nomads in Hawaii.
About The Grit Code keynote
The Grit Code is built on real stories from extreme environments. Paris rowed 4,800km across the Pacific Ocean in 2023 with the Brothers N Oars crew, a row that raised more than £150,000 for marine conservation. He also ran seven marathons on seven continents in 5 days, 21 hours and 51 minutes, in Antarctica, Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Fortaleza and Miami.
From those experiences he draws practical lessons on purpose, vision, limiting beliefs, adapting a plan and keeping a clear head under pressure. He has delivered the keynote for audiences including the UN Tourism General Assembly, TEDx Amman, COP28, Expo 2020, DHL, Nokia, Kraft Heinz, IHG, Dubai Airports, Durlston Partners in London and Surfbreak in Honolulu. Every talk starts with a briefing call, so the stories connect to your theme, your industry and the challenges your people are facing right now.
“My career creating adventure travel shows opened my eyes to the opportunities that are available to us in this day and age for flexible living.”
— Paris Norriss on LinkedIn
Want Paris for your own conference or leadership event? Read more about The Grit Code, see more past speaking events or send an enquiry. Planning an event in the region? See Paris as a keynote speaker in the UAE.
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