.travel domain to get WTM preview

Details about the .travel internet domain will be unveiled at World Travel Market.

Senior representatives from the World Tourism Organisation, World Travel & Tourism Council, Pacific Asia Tourism Association and Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) are among those due to participate in a .travel launch preview on the first day on the show on November 14.

The new internet domain is designed to help raise the profile, credibility and identity of the worldwide travel industry, particularly at a time when online consumer spending on travel products has surged upwards to more than 28%, according to WTM organisers.

Ron Andruff, president and chief executive officer of Tralliance Corporation, the New York company serving as the registry for .travel, will provide insight into what has already occurred during the limited pre-launch phase, which began this month. 

He said: “This insight we will provide at World Travel Market comes at a critical time, since we will be at the half-way milestone in the 90-day limited launch of .travel, which began on October 3.”

While the official launch of .travel will take place in January 2006, more than 30 leading travel industry organisations, including ASTA, WTTC and PATA have been involved in pre-authentication which began in July.

“Thousands of .travel registrants, representing every sector of the industry from entire countries to individually-owned travel service providers, have already been authenticated,” said Andruff.

RTE chairman Tom Nutley said: “The use of online resources for research and reservations has gone through the roof and .travel represents a major opportunity for the industry to be promoted universally. At the same time, it also strengthens consumer confidence when they buy travel and holidays direct from the web.

“The launch preview at World Travel Market is a timely opportunity for national and regional tourist offices, tour operators, hotels, resorts, cruise and ferry companies, tourist attractions and transport providers – in fact any company or organisation involved in the travel and tourism industry – to learn more about how they can be part of a much needed great new unifying dimension to the global industry.”

The launch preview will be held at 12.30 on November 14 following the opening ceremony and reception.

Report by Phil Davies

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