World Travel Market, the premier global event for the travel industry, has brought together an illustrious line-up of travel industry experts to launch its Advice Clinics at the event for the first time this year.
The clinics combine professionals from every sector including aviation, technology, academia, online marketing, social media, press and public relations to offer visitors hints and tips on dealing with the challenges for today’s market.
During 15-minute one-to-one sessions visitors will have the chance to quiz experts on the areas pertinent to their business.
The line-up includes experts from the travel technology arena including Andy Boyce, managing director of travel technology consultancy, Travology and Mark Hodson, founder of Travel SEO, a search engine marketing specialist.
Financial protection is covered by Association of ATOL Companies Legal Advisor Alan Bowen, while media relations is handled by TTG Feature’s Editor Robin Seale.
Furthermore, the latest tourism trends and emerging destinations will be covered by senior experts from Bournemouth University including Professor Dimitrios Buhalis of the International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality Research and Dr. Philip Alford, senior lecturer in tourism and hospitality marketing.
The two-hour session, which takes place on 12 November from 13.00 – 15.00, also covers the very latest issues including the challenge of social media. The topic will be covered by Travel Weekly’s web editor Nathan Midgley whose experience includes setting up the publication’s highly successful blog.
Visitors are invited to challenge these experts and many more for a 15-minute one-to-one Ask The Expert slot at World Travel Market 2009.
WTM Chairman Fiona Jeffery said: “The Ask The Experts session is a fantastic opportunity for WTM participants to pick the brains of some of the industry’s leaders on a wide range of vital issues.”
The following clinics are confirmed;
Topic: Manage the financial protection scheme ATOL
Speaker: Alan Bowen, Legal Adviser, Association of ATOL Companies
Topic: Offer holidays accessible to disabled customers
Speaker: Amar Latif, Founder and Director, Traveleyes
Topic: Use technologies to sell effectively online
Speaker: Andy Boyce, Managing Director, Travology
Topic: Dealing with gay & lesbian customers
Speaker: Ian Johnson, Founder and CEO, Out Now
Topic: Return On Investment – get the most from exhibiting
Speaker: John Blaskeys, Managing Director, The Exhibiting Agency
Topic: Which airline markets are the most affected
Speaker: John Strickland, Director, JLS Consulting
Topic: Website optimisation: How can I get my website higher up on Google?
Speaker: Mark Hodson, Founder, Travel SEO
Topic: How to deal with social media
Speaker: Nathan Midgley, Web Editor, TravelWeekly
Topic: Using technology for strategic management (develop policies and plans, allocate resources, evaluate performance)
Speaker: Professor Dimitrios Buhalis, Deputy Director, International Centre for Tourism and Hospitality, Research (ICTHR) School of Services Management, Bournemouth University & Dr Philip Alford
Senior Lecturer Tourism & Hospitality Marketing School of Services ManagementBournemouth University
Topic: Dealing with the media
Speaker: Robin Searle, Features Editor, TTG
Topic: Practice sustainable supply chain management and design green marketing campaign
Speaker: Xavier Font, Director of Studies at the International Centre for Responsible Tourism, Leeds Metropolitan University UK
Topic: Manage a PR crisis
Speaker: Jane Richards, Director, Brighter Group
To register your interest for the Advice Clinics please visit www.wtmlondon.com/adviceclinics
