.travel domain to get WTM preview
Details about the .travel internet domain will be unveiled at World Travel Market.
Senior representatives from the World Tourism Organisation, World Travel & Tourism Council, Pacific Asia Tourism Association and Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) are among those due to participate in a .travel launch preview on the first day on the show on November 14.
The new internet domain is designed to help raise the profile, credibility and identity of the worldwide travel industry, particularly at a time when online consumer spending on travel products has surged upwards to more than 28%, according to WTM organisers.
Ron Andruff, president and chief executive officer of Tralliance Corporation, the New York company serving as the registry for .travel, will provide insight into what has already occurred during the limited pre-launch phase, which began this month.
He said: “This insight we will provide at World Travel Market comes at a critical time, since we will be at the half-way milestone in the 90-day limited launch of .travel, which began on October 3.”
While the official launch of .travel will take place in January 2006, more than 30 leading travel industry organisations, including ASTA, WTTC and PATA have been involved in pre-authentication which began in July.
“Thousands of .travel registrants, representing every sector of the industry from entire countries to individually-owned travel service providers, have already been authenticated,” said Andruff.
RTE chairman Tom Nutley said: “The use of online resources for research and reservations has gone through the roof and .travel represents a major opportunity for the industry to be promoted universally. At the same time, it also strengthens consumer confidence when they buy travel and holidays direct from the web.
“The launch preview at World Travel Market is a timely opportunity for national and regional tourist offices, tour operators, hotels, resorts, cruise and ferry companies, tourist attractions and transport providers – in fact any company or organisation involved in the travel and tourism industry – to learn more about how they can be part of a much needed great new unifying dimension to the global industry.”
The launch preview will be held at 12.30 on November 14 following the opening ceremony and reception.
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026