The legacy of low-cost carriers, the explosion of online travel and insights into how tourism marketers will be selling their product in five years are just some of the topics to be discussed at a one-off conference targeting tourism industry leaders.
The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) and Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) are joining forces to host the two-day “Tourism Directions and Distribution – A New Paradigm” conference in Sydney 17-18 October.
ATEC managing director Matthew Hingerty said the inspiration for the conference arose from a need to update industry leaders on the rapid changes currently underway in tourism globally.
“Distribution – or how the industry buys and sells tourism product – is the fastest changing area of the tourism sector and it is essential for any business that still wants to be around in five or 10 years to be on top of these changes,” said Hingerty.
“Global tourism numbers are growing at an unprecedented rate with more people each year travelling than ever before.”
“With destinations, products and the internet changing on a daily basis, it is a constant challenge to stay ahead of the pack.”
Hingerty said tourism and travel leaders from throughout the Pacific Rim were expected to attend the conference, which would be held Sydney’s Australian Technology Park.
Key speakers will include PATA president and chief executive, Peter de Jong; PATA director of Strategic Intelligence, John Koldowski; UN World Tourism Organisation assistant secretary general, Geoffrey Lipman; Desticorp chief executive and Icarus Foundation founder Anna Pollock; Qantas executive general manager John Borghetti and Zuji chief executive Scott Blume.
The conference will cover high-line topics such as how destinations can better employ changing technologies, how businesses will be distributing their product in five years and the legacy of low-cost aviation.
More information including program details can be found at www.distribution2007.com
Report by The Mole
