Which new innovations will change the face of Travel & Tourism?

At the 5th Global Travel & Tourism Summit taking place in New Delhi this coming April 8-10, Dr Michael Frenzel, Chairman of TUI AG, will set the tone for discussion by outlining key trends in innovation taking shape in the Travel & Tourism Industry across the world.  A panel of business leaders will then debate Dr Frenzel’s comments and will focus on what the latest innovations to affect the industry will be and which will have the greatest impact.

“There is no relaxation in the pace of change and the amount of innovation” argues Philip Wolf, President & CEO of PhoCusWright Inc.  He sees new technologies such as metasearch (the simultaneous searching of several search engine databases), next generation mapping and satellite tracking as tools that can be combined to offer a plethora of amazing service enhancements to travellers.

Eric Anderson, President & CEO, Space Adventures, believes that the real driver of innovation will be the creation of new customer experiences: “At Space Adventures, we will continue to open the space frontier by flying thousands of tourists to suborbital space where they experience what less than 500 people have before them.”

Whilst upcoming innovations will include double-deck aeroplanes equipped with satellite TV and broadband internet, everyone wants to know what new ideas are on the horizon? What are the new attractions that entrepreneurs will create?  What new experiences and opportunities will technology facilitate for Travel & Tourism businesses as well as consumers?  What are the traditional players doing to innovate?  What can we expect from the rapidly emerging growth markets such as India and China?  And how will all the new developments improve performance and market access?

The keynote speaker on this subject will be Michael Frenzel, Chairman, TUI AG, Europe’s largest tour operator and his address will be followed by a panel discussion moderated by BBC World’s top anchor man, Nik Gowing.  The lead contributors will be:

Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Airways
Eric Anderson, President & CEO, Space Adventures
Eulogio Bordas, CEO of THR Tourism Consultants and President of Dream Resorts
Douglas Gollan, President & Editor-in-Chief, Elite Traveler Magazine
Mary Gostelow, President, Gostelow Travel
Gerard Greene, CEO, Yotel
Wang Ping, President, Chamber of Tourism, All-China Federation of Industry Commerce
Philip Wolf, President & CEO, PhoCusWright Inc
Peter Wong, Chairman, MK Corporation 
 Jean Claude Baumgarten, WTTC President concluded: “Travel & Tourism is booming.  Suppliers such as hotels and airlines will always seek out the newest and latest ideas as a way to differentiate themselves and consumers will willingly enjoy what they create.  This is a very exciting moment in the evolution of the industry.  Those in attendance at the Summit will gain a deep insight into the innovations the leading players expect to see in the near, medium and long term.”

For more information about the Summit, including how to take part, please visit www.GlobalTravelTourism.com

March 25, 2005   Posted in: Iceland