21 October 2008

ITB Asia to discuss crisis response strategies

SINGAPORE - ITB Asia, starting today with the Web in Travel conference, will be the first opportunity for the travel industry in Asia to discuss impacts and response strategies to the global economic crisis.

Leaders of some of the most powerful travel companies in the world will share their perspectives and corporate best practice responses to deal with global financial volatility.

ITB Asia organiser, Messe Berlin (Singapore), wants delegates to address the economic implications.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœCompanies dependent on consumers continuing to travel are eager to see where this is going,Ã¢â¬~ said Dr Martin Buck, director of Messe Berlin (Singapore).

Ã¢â¬ÅâœResponsible delegates and market leaders will share their insights and policy responses to help deal with this latest challenge. Some of the best travel industry minds in the world will be here to bring a balanced long-term perspective to the situation,Ã¢â¬~ he said.

On the ITB Asia trade floor at Suntec Singapore hundreds of buyers will update over 650 exhibitors on the economic climate in their specific markets.

In the ITB Asia Convention, CEOs, presidents, chairmen and chief sales officers of international companies such as Starwood, Accor, and Jumeirah will assess implications and economic response strategies in the Hotel Leaders Forum on 23 October.

Later the same day, Philip Wolf, president & CEO, PhoCusWright Inc will single out the opportunities and pitfalls that the latest economic crisis presents and how online travel distributors should respond.

Gordon Locke, vice president, airline marketing and strategy, Sabre Airline Solutions/Sabre Travel Network will address Ã¢â¬ÅâœTurbulence and OpportunityÃ¢â¬~ in the Aviation Forum on 24 October.

Dr Buck said that Asia has a strong record in responding well to crises.

Ã¢â¬ÅâœThe Chinese proverb that out of crisis comes opportunity is as true today as ever. Travel leaders IÃ¢â¬â¢ve talked to say that this is a time for positive action based on sound strategy. The right place to formulate that strategy is ITB Asia,Ã¢â¬~ Dr Buck added.