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Gulf war hostage to speak at AITO conference
Former RAF officer John Peters has been confirmed as a speaker for the AITO conference later this month in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE.
Now a business coach and director of Monkey Business, Peters came to the world’s attention in January 1991 when he was captured and publicly beaten during Saddam Hussein’s ruthless reign.
He will provide specialist tour operators with an insider’s view on resilience and how to turn the impossible into the possible.
Other speakers confirmed this week are Eliza Filby, an academic, writer, broadcaster and public speaker specialising in contemporary values and generations, and Chris Smit, MD of Culture Matters.
Taking place from November 22-25, the conference is sponsored by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) and supported by Emirates.
AITO chairman Derek Moore said: "We are developing a punchy and diverse conference programme this year to match the theme; a Tale of the Unexpected.
"The rising star of the UAE, Ras Al Khaimah, is the perfect stage for exciting and interesting talks and adventurous activities. RAKTDA has been extremely supportive in its organisation of the event and we look forward to bringing our members to this little-known destination in November."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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