Life after Brexit is high on the agenda at ABTA Travel Matters
Travel CEOs, executive directors, politicians and government officials will meet to discuss life after Brexit at ABTA’s 10th annual Travel Matters conference next week.
As the UK reaches a pivotal moment in its political landscape, the conference will give around 250 delegates the chance to explore what long-term investment in infrastructure and future workforce skills are needed for a post-EU Britain.
Under the theme ‘A Vision for the Next Decade’, issues to be discussed include the growing skills gap, economic and geopolitical trends and the impact on consumer confidence and the travel marketplace, and the possible impacts of slowing growth.
Speakers include Gordon Marsden, shadow minister for education, and Mike Cooper, chief executive of Eurostar.
A panel discussion will also include Sir Simon Hughes, chancellor of London South Bank University, Vicki Wolf, education partnerships manager ABTA, ԬSandra Kelly, director UK skills and policy for People 1st International and Nikki Humphrey, chief people officer at Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Holidays.
After lunch there will be a workshop, exclusive to ABTA members and partners, when Victoria Bacon, ABTA’s director of brand and business development, will share insights from new national consumer research on people’s trust in the ABTA brand.
Jo McCrostie, creative director of global, the Media and Entertainment Group, will speak about brand confidence and the new ABTA sonic identity.
A second workshop will be Japan Destination Masterclass, hosted by the Japan National Tourism Organisation and open to all.
Attendees will hear the tips and tricks of selling Japan as a destination, as well as the key regions, accommodations, experiences and travel news that customers will be asking about in 2019 and beyond.
The event is taking place on Wednesday 26 June at One Great George Street in Westminster, London.
There are a limited number of tickets available to purchase at abta.com/travelmatters. ABTA members and partners are also entitled to a discounted rate.
This year’s headline sponsor is Travel Trade Consultancy, the co-sponsor is ANA – All Nippon Airways and the media partner is Global, the Media and Entertainment Group.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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