Organisers of the Advantage Conference, due to be held in Cyprus in May are adamant that it will go ahead despite uncertainties over the possibility of war in the Middle East.
A spokesperson for the Advantage Conference told TravelMole: “It is still in Cyprus, and it will go ahead in Cyprus. We have 300 agents signed up already and we are expecting 500.”
There are mixed feelings in the travel industry and among consumers about the destination.
British Airways has displayed confidence in Cyprus by saying it will boost services from Heathrow to Larnaca in Cyprus from the end of the month, and it will base its flight crews there overnight following advice from the FCO against travel to the Middle East.
However, an ABTA spokesperson told TravelMole that forward bookings to Cyprus were down in 19 percent in January, year-on-year, which exceeds the general industry slump in forward bookings, and suggests a reluctance by consumers to book the destination.
The Advantage Conference is being held from 1 to 5 May in Paphos. The programme includes a session led by Professor John Lennon from Glasgow Caledonian University, who is issuing the results of his research on how travel buying behaviour is changing, and the impact of the internet on agents.
Advantage board directors Geoff Blagg and Peter Reglar will also take the stage to discuss the issues of developing quality staff and future plans for Advantage. For the first time Advantage has set aside the first session on Sunday morning for an emergency debate on a topical issue of the moment. Afternoons and evenings are left for networking.
Those still wanting to attend should contact Rachel Newman at Marketeer on 020 8742 3388. Prices start from £405 per person sharing a twin room at the Corallia Beach, next door to the conference hotel.
Read our previous stories:
10-March-2003 Turkish bargains galore, says ABTA
25-Feb-2003 BA to cut back Gulf flights after travel warning
13-Feb-2003 Famous island attraction under threat
24-Jan-2003 UK ‘Sustainable Tourism Initiative’ prepares for launch
09-Jan-2003 BA boosting Italian and Eastern European services
