Travel News Europe - #88 - November 2008 - (Page 11)

n WTM news 2008 WTM Airline Programme debates the future of flying T Mergers, Fuel Surcharges, Open Skies Agreements… agenda on Wednesday 12 November, John Strickland will chair a targeted seminar on the Airline Impact on the Environment. As one of the main targets in the carbon emissions dispute, the seminar looks at what the airline industry is doing to improve its performance. The expert speaker group consists of Silla Maizey, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at British Airways, Dr Mark Watson, Head of Corporate Environmental Affairs at the Society of British Aerospace Companies, Jill Brady, General Counsel for Virgin Atlantic Airways and Nick Mercer, Commercial Director for Eurostar. The group will debate topics including Better Air Traffic Control, more efficient aircraft, improvements in engine technology, bio fuels, passenger carbon offsetting, and trains versus planes. John Strickland commented, “Airlines today are facing a crisis situation, with rising fuel prices, falling demand and environmental criticism. We will explore how airlines are facing these tough challenges. What are their business strategies today and what new models are emerging? How do they meet complaints about airlines’ contribution to the environment problem and what are they doing about it? There is much positive activity underway and we aim to explore the issues and demonstrate not only the importance of the air transport business to tourism and the global economy, but the real energy and determination it is applying to the problems which it faces” The airline debate will play an important role in Thursday 13 November’s WTM Global Economic Forum where John Strickland will represent the industry. Bringing together the impact of the global credit crunch on air travel with the effects on trading volumes, the outlook for long term growth-assessment, changing trends, industry consolidation and the role of government in air transport, John will discuss how these issues tie into the overall effects on travel and tourism. WTM Airline Programme Schedule he airline industry continues to generate headline news; the 2008 WTM Airline Programme will explore the burning issues in a series of thought provoking seminar sessions. In the context of the turbulent environment currently affecting the sector, the discussions will cover a range of subjects including market position, rising fuel costs, future strategy and the environment. Chaired by senior industry consultant, John Strickland, the programme begins with the Head to Head, featuring airline CEO’s examining the new long-haul low-cost business model on Tuesday 11 November. Is the longhaul low-cost model sustainable in the current difficult market conditions? The Head to Head panel includes Alex Cruz CEO of Clickair and Azran Osman Rani CEO of Air Asia X. Focusing the low-cost market, the seminar will discuss how it differs from the short haul model and how important lowcost airlines are to the travel and tourism industry. Bringing the airline debate to the WTM World Responsible Tourism Day ❙ Low Cost Airline CEO Panel: Tuesday 11 November, 11am, North Gallery Room 6/7 ❙ Airlines Impact on the Environment: Wednesday 12 November, 2pm, North Gallery Room 4/5 ❙ WTM Global Economic Forum: Thursday 13 November, 11am, Platinum Suite 4 (£79). I The Future of Tourism? nternational tourism is rapidly changing and a number of significant challenges and opportunities are emerging for both suppliers and destinations that require a rethink of both strategic and tactical tourism management. The Bournemouth University International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Research (ICTHR) School of Services Management will examine and discuss the future of tourism at WTM. ‘Tourism Futures’ will explore the challenges and opportunities currently emerging in the tourism industry. The seminar will investigate these major trends and provide examples on how the industry responds to change and development. The forum brings together leading academic and commercial industry experts to identify and debate new trends, opportunities and challenges.” The notion of the tourism experience is central to the future success of the industry and destinations. It goes beyond the focus on consumer behaviour and requires an understanding of how tourism experiences feel in the widest sense, both from the visitor’s perspective and the host community’s perspective,” commented Nigel Hemmington, Dean and Professor, School of Services Management, Bournemouth University. Chaired by Nigel Hemmington the session will open with commissioned presentations from Dr. Alan Fyall, Deputy Dean - School of Services Management, Bournemouth University on Tourism Market Trends and Developments and Professor Dimitrios Buhalis, Deputy Director, International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Research, Bournemouth University on eTourism: Critical Developments. Following the presentations an interactive discussion with invited panellists, Monique de Greeve; Manager, Emerging Markets Group (EMG); Oskar Hinteregger, Austrian Tourist Board; John Kent, CEO, youtravel.com; Theodoros Koumelis, Director, mynetwork.travel; Andrew Pozniak, Industry Market Manager, Emerging Markets, Travel, Google and Hisham Zaazou, Assistant Minister, Tourism Egypt. Speaking about his research, Professor Fyall said, “In what globally is a particularly challenging economic environment at present, the need for market and product diversification has never been greater. The growth in arrivals from the likes of China, India, Brazil and Russia is significant, while the need to cater to niche groups has also become more pressing. With the need to take into account, and deliver, a more personal and individual ‘experience’, most notably at cultural heritage sites, there is much to be discussed and explored,” said Fiona Jeffery, Chairman of WTM, “As consumer demands, needs and desires for holiday experiences mature and evolve, the industry needs to stay abreast of emerging challenges and opportunities and meet demands. The Tourism Futures seminar is a strategic opportunity for WTM exhibitors and visitors to learn more about the issues facing the industry and come away with tangible solutions.” The Tourism Futures session takes place on Thursday 13 November in North Gallery Room 6, 11am – 1pm www.travelnewseurope.com November 2008 TRAVEL NEWS EUROPE http://www.bangkokair.com http://www.youtravel.com http://www.travelnewseurope.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Travel News Europe - #88 - November 2008

Cover&Contents
NEWS
WTM News Pages
DESTINATIONS - Tanzania
DESTINATIONS - India
BUSINESS - Winter Holidays
BUSINESS - Exhibitions

Travel News Europe - #88 - November 2008