p10 abta sep19 17/9/08 21:14 Page 10
news
ttglive.com
Abta 2008 preview
October 6-9 ■ Gran Canaria ■
ttglive.com/abta
Collapse makes for a timely convention
Lee Hayhurst.
highlighted the need for reform of the structure “Networking with colleagues in the same boat
THE FAILURE of XL Leisure Group this week has of financial protection in the UK. at Abta can only be beneficial to that process.”
made it even more important for delegates to “Abta has a major role to play in persuading Wexas managing director Steve Allen said:
attend The Travel Convention this year, Abta government to act and the convention is the “We are all going through a turbulent economic
directors have said. perfect opportunity for the travel industry to period and at such times it can really help to
Prior to the events of last week, convention unite in demanding immediate action.” discuss where we are and where we are heading.
organisers were already anticipating the event On the first day, The Travel Convention will fea- “The Travel Convention has just become even
would coincide with difficult trading conditions ture a session called Innovation Begins at Home more valuable.”
for the industry. with PricewaterhouseCoopers partner Malcolm
The speaking programme has been specifically Preston suggesting innovative ways the industry
designed to offer delegates information and can face current economic challenges. Speaker change: Douglas McWilliams, chief
advice about how to cope with the downturn in Richard Carrick, chief executive of Hoseasons, executive of the Centre for Economics and
the UK economy. said: “All of us preparing budgets for next year Business Research, the speaker lined up for
Organisers said they they have had a are in the midst of trying to pick the bones out the session before Innovation Begins at Home,
flurry of registrations this week following XL’s of everything going on around us. Future Option, has been replaced by Mark
collapse. “Separating out the effects of recession, Pragnell, the managing director of the centre.
Steven Freudmann, Abta director and founder weather, price increases and adverse travel in- McWilliams pulled out for personal reasons.
of Majestic Travel, said: “The XL failure has dustry public relations is proving challenging.”
BUSINESS SESSIONS.
T
AKE
P
ART!
Delegates urged
to book Talk Zone
appointments
THE TRAVEL Convention’s Talk Zone is now open
for delegates to make appointments.
Event organisers say places are being snapped
up fast so the earlier delegates book the more
likely it is they will get the meetings they want.
Both delegates and table holders are able
to request meetings through the convention’s
website,
thetravelconvention.com.
Delegates who do not book before the conven-
tion can do so in an extended coffee break on the
first morning, but organisers are encouraging
people to book before they fly to Gran Canaria.
All Abta principals have a table and other
ON YOUR MARKS: Travel Convention delegates are being sought to take part in the trade partners can buy tables.
annual fun run that will once again raise funds for the Family Holiday Association. There are expected to be about 100 exhibitors
The 3km run will take place at 5.30pm on Tuesday, October 7, along the Meloneras and more than 1,000 Talk Zone meetings over
Promenade and is being sponsored by Citibond Suretravel and Argyle Recruitment. the convention’s two business session days.
The cost of entry is £20 per person or £60 for teams of between six and 10.
thetravelconvention.com
10 19.09.2008
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