ITT stands by choice of conference venue
The Institute of Travel & Tourism remains confident it has chosen a good venue for this year’s annual conference despite selling fewer places than this time last year.
Bookings are nearly 10% down year on year, even though the ITT has taken the unusual step of opening up the conference to non-members for the first time.
Chairman Steven Freudmann confirmed today that with just 31 days to go to the conference in Tel Aviv, it still has 90 spaces to fill.
It has taken 310 bookings, compared with 342 this time last year when the conference was held in Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates.
Of the 310 bookings, 25 are from non-members, however Freudmann denied the reasons for opening up the conference to outsiders was an attempt to fill empty spaces.
"The opening up to non-members is part of this year’s 60th anniversary celebrations and is very much a one-off," he said.
Freudmann said ITT has made 60 spaces available to non-members, of which 35 are still available.
The conference takes place at the Hilton Tel Aviv from June 6 to 8. Registration costs £585 for ITT members, £685 for non-members.
"Registrations are increasing as we get nearer the date so we expect to be very close to our usual number of 400," said Freudmann.
"The Israelis are going to make it one of the best conferences ever."
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
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