Thomas Cook CEO Manny Fontenla-Novoa and Thomson and First Choice managing director Dermot Blastland were late withdrawals from this week’s Institute of Travel & Tourism conference in Dubai.
A face to face session with Fontenla-Novoa due for today was replaced with an interview with Kuoni group chief executive Peter Rothwell.
It was announced that Fontenla-Novoa was no longer speaking. Delegates were told he had cancelled as it was “inappropriate” for him to speak.
The state of the economy has been a major focus of the conference, with suggestions that recovery could start in the final quarter of this year.
Other subjects to be tackled today include brands in a recession, the role of the media and how the industry will be shaped following the economic downturn.
Former prime minister’s wife Cherie Blair is among the speakers lined up for tomorrow (Wednesday) along with a session on space tourism.
by Phil Davies
