Cendant cancels Expo

Cendant has cancelled its May conference while it concentrates on integrating its recent purchases. According to Cendant Travel Distribution Services regional managing director, UK and Ireland, Alison Bell, the group, which acquired Ebookers, Gullivers Travel and its online arm Octopustravel.com in December, is focusing on integrating these businesses at the moment and “will have more to say next year”. The event, called TravelWorld 05, was planned for May 4-6 in Monaco. Anyone who registered was informed of the cancellation at Easter. Highlights were to include speeches from Sir Ranulph Feinnes, David Hempleman- Adams and Jean-Michel Cousteau. The intention was to offer a series of business sessions to discuss industry issues alongside an exhibition of Cendant products and services. It will be back next year, says Ms Bell, although the location and date is not yet confirmed. Report by Ginny McGrath