ABTA confirms line-up for Travel Matters conference
ABTA has announced the line-up for its annual Travel Matters conference, which will take place this year just a day before the EU referendum.
Moderated by BBC News presenter and correspondent Reeta Chakrabarti, this year’s conference will explore the theme: Confidence in a changing world.
The keynote address will come from IAG chief executive Willie Walsh who will outline the most pressing challenges and opportunities ahead.
Former foreign secretary Sir Malcolm Rifkind will give his take on the current state of global affairs.
Other confirmed speakers include:
- Mark Anderson, managing director of Virgin Holidays
- Fraser Ellacott, customer operations director of TUI UK & Ireland
- Jeannette Linfoot, MD of Saga Tour Operating Division
- Lisa McAuley, commercial director of Silversea Cruises
- Stephen McCall, chief operating officer – Europe, Intercontinental Hotels Group
- Doreen McKenzie, owner of Knock Travel
- Graham Pickett, lead partner of Travel, Hospitality and Leisure, Deloitte
- Mark Tanzer, ABTA chief executive and
- Patricia Yates, director of strategy and communications, VisitBritain
The event takes place on June 22 in central London.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
WTTC global tourism reached record economic impact of 11 trillion in 2025
Marginal increase for New York City tourism in 2025
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments