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Century 21 - New Business Models in Travel

Conference Theme

It is clear that the shape of the travel industry of the 21st century will be re-defined by Internet entrepreneurs. These organisations, often with no industry 'baggage' to condition their thinking, are re-examining the travel intermediary's role.

The companies concerned are operating a variety of business models. They come into the sector from many different backgrounds, including traditional publishing, telecommunications and broadcasting. These new entrants are partnering with established travel companies to get a quick start; and they are learning fast.

For this conference Genesys and ABTECH bring together a group of speakers whose organisations are all revisiting the way travel is marketed, matched to the buyer and sold. Regardless of whether their companies become major players in the travel industry, the results of their fresh thinking and new approaches will certainly impact on us all, and influence the behaviour and expectations of the 21st century traveller.

While much of the thinking is new, most of the issues are not. What and how much information (now called ‘content’) is needed to make a sale? Too much and we slow the sale; too little and we mismatch traveller and product. How do consumers make buying decisions, and how can the process be influenced? How do intermediaries really add value, and can they continue to do so in the same way?

Question and answer sessions will make sure that you have every opportunity to raise issues which are of specific interest to you. Do not miss this important event. Attend and make sure your company stays ahead of the game in the travel industry of the 21st Century.

Conference Programme

(Click on the underlined presentation titles to read the transcripts)

09:00 Registration and Coffee

09:30 Welcome
Ian Reynolds, ABTA

09:40 The ntl Travel Channel
Christina Convis, ntl Interactive

10:20 Open for Business
Will Vicary, Open Interactive

11:00 Coffee

11:30 New Media Meets Travel
Penny Gray, EMAP Online

12:10 Buying on Impulse
Henry Lane Fox, lastminute.com

12:50 Buffet Lunch

14:00 Selling the Dream
Karen Gee, eDreams

14:40 The Virtual Tour Operator
Richard Downs, IGLU.com

15:20 Coffee

15:40 Leaving the Baggage Behind
Andrew Weir, ebookers.com

16:20 The Online Travel Auction
Marc Charron, QXL

17:00 Close

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