TOWARD conference will focus on profitability

Maximising profitability in the travel industry is the focus of the first conference being held by TOWARD Europe in February. The conference, which will take place in Nice on 8 and 9 February, is being held in Amadeus’ Executive Briefing Centre, 30 minutes from the airport. The keynote speaker is Amadeus business strategy director, Andy Owen-Jones, who will talk about what issues need to be overcome in order to develop a profitable strategy in 2004. Other speakers include TOWARD Europe working group chairman Mark Bradbury, of RWA who will release the findings of TOWARD Europe’s white paper on tour operator distribution and Hertz Europe director automation marketing, William Hennessy, who will release the findings of white paper on travel supplier to operator. The two white papers have been made available to members already and will be on sale to the industry this month. A spokesperson said that although the focus is on tour operators, travel suppliers will also benefit from the conference. It takes place over two days, with an evening event on Sunday and a full day of debates on Monday. It closes with a series of working group discussions, culminating in a panel session chaired by management consultant, Professor Garry Hunt. TOWARD Europe will also use the event to outline its goals for 2004 and gather information on hot topics for new working groups. The conference is free to TOWARD Europe members, of which there are currently 35, and is open to non-delegates at a price of £295 for tour operators and £395 for the rest of the industry. For information go to the TOWARD Europe website, www.towardeurope.org.