Australasian Economic Travel and Tourism Resilience Forum speaker line up nearly finalised

With only one speaker left to be secured in the area of hotels and hospitality, the forthcoming Australasian Economic Travel and Tourism Resilience Forum to be secured, the speedily pulled together Forum promises an exciting, thought provoking, sometimes challenging, but highly rewarding day for delegates according to Forum co-organiser David Beirman.

Beirman added that the Forum was filling up fast with nearly 100 attendees on the delegate list ranging from senior and middle management in all aspects of both inbound and outbound tourism and also grass roots operators and those working on the coal face of travel including a number of travel agents and tourism students, keen to improve their knowlwdge of the industry.

He said. “Global economic volatility is affecting every single tourism business in some way and only those who understand the challenges and the opportunities will survive in good shape and planning is vital ‐ which is why the industry leader principles of Struan & Associates Consulting, TravelMole and eTravelBlackboard have taken the very significant step of bringing together some of the world and the region’s most important financial and business brains, not only to explore the issues the industry is currently facing but also come up with tangible and workable tips and solutions for individual businesses. “

Forum Chair for the day, TravelMole’s John Alwyn-Jones said, added, “It is important to ensure that delegates realise this not a talk fest, but our attempt to provide all aspects of the industry with the opportunity to, yes hear what global leading academics and industry leaders have to say, but equally importantly have the opportunity to interact and discuss operators’ own issues with colleagues, peers and specialsist, many with a global reputation and emerge from the Forum with tangible methodologies and activities to help their business be resilient and survive.

The Forum programme currently includes the following: –

Opening by John Alwyn‐Jones – Chair

Global Scene setting of Travel Management in the World Economy.  Justin Morgan – General Manager American Express Business Travel

The economics of Australian Tourism and Travel in a global economic crisis context ‐ how are we doing?  Professor Larry Dwyer ‐ Qantas Professor of Tourism and Travel Economics at the University of New South Wales, Australia and Ray Spurr – Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Sustainable Tourism CRC Centre for Economics and Policy, University of New South Wales

What can Australia learn from what is a happening elsewhere in the world? A strategic Management Approach to dealing with a volatile business environment.   Ravi Ravinder  Senior Lecturer, Tourism Management University of Technology, Sydney based tourism management and marketing expert

The Response of Airlines to Tourism’s Economic Challenges.  Dr Tony Webber  Chief Economist, Economic Research Group QANTAS

Developing policy approaches for Australia’s tourism resilience – some tips on what tourism businesses and the industry needs to do.  Professor John Jenkins Head of School, School of Tourism & Hospitality Management at Southern Cross University

Panellist presentations followed by Q&A, including: – 

Retail and Distribution: Barry Mayo CEO House of Travel and Travel Managers

Aviation and Tourism Intelligence: Paul Glynn, Managing Director Aviation and Tourism Intelligence.

Media: Barry Matheson former Producer of “The Great Outdoors”

Hotel and Hospitality: TBA

Tourism NSW: Justine Cooper Acting Director of Marketing Tourism NSW

Employment and Recruitment: Mandy Scotney Chair,Travel Industry Careers Association

Wholesale: Peter Baily, General Manager Council of Australian Tour Operators

Training and Education: Chris Harris, Head of Programmes – Hospitality, ICMS and Simon Pawson Head of Tourism Management ICMS

The International Perspective: Mark Sheehan Media Chair Visit USA

Online: Peter Smith General Manager, ZUJI

MICE: Claudia Steiner Exhibition Manager Expertise Events

Cruise: Brett Jardine General Manager International Cruise Council Australasia

Destinations: Sharon Hannaford Chair ANTOR

Networking Lunch sponsored by Southern Cross University

Talking up tourism – making your tourism business resilient in challenging times some tips on what you need to do.  Adrian Caruso, CEO of TA Fastrack

Maximising the Bang for your Scarce Marketing Buck. Mike Da Silva, CEO MDSA Promotion Marketing Australia and President Marketing Agencies Association Worldwide, New York

A ten point plan for Australian travel and tourism industry recovery. Dr David Beirman, Director, Struan and Associates, leading global travel and tourism crisis recovery consultant and lecturer.

PATA’s Project Phoenix World’s Best Practice in Tourism Recovery.   Chris Flynn CEO PATA Australia / Pacific

Industry specialist break out and report back groups chaired by:

Retail and Distribution: Barry Mayo CEO House of Travel and Travel Managers

Aviation and Tourism Intelligence: Paul Glynn, Managing Director Aviation and Tourism Intelligence

Media: Barry Matheson former Producer of “The Great Outdoors”

Hotel and Hospitality: TBA

Tourism NSW: Justine Cooper Acting Director of Marketing Tourism NSW

Employment and Recruitment: Mandy Scotney Chair,Travel Industry  Careers Association

Wholesale: Peter Baily, General Manager Council of Australian Tour Operators

Training and Education: Chris Harris, Head of Programmes – Hospitality, ICMS and Simon Pawson Head of Tourism management ICMS

Online: Peter Smith General Manager, ZUJI

Destinations : Sharon Hannaford Chair ANTOR

Cruise: Brett Jardine General Manager International Cruise Council Australasia

The International Perspective: Mark Sheehan Media Chair Visit USA

Post Conference drinks are hosted by Southern Cross University Partners and Major Sponsor

Delegates who have not registered are urged to do so quickly to avoid disappointment. – please visit:

http://www.travelpress.com.au/etbpromotions/TourismResilienceForum/trf.html

A Report by The Mole