What’s in store at the Travel Convention
The full programme for the ABTA Travel Convention in Dubrovnik has been released today with the final line up of speakers confirmed.
Dr Graeme Codrington, a strategy consultant and workplace expert, and Nigel Huddleston, Google’s industry head of travel, complete the line-up.
Other speakers include Baroness Susan Greenfield, YouTube UK MD Kevin Mathers, chairman of Thomas Cook’s Digital Advisory Board John Straw and political commentator Iain Dale.
Dr Codrington will present the opening session, "Tides of Change", highlighting some of the disruptive forces that he believes will change our world in the next decade.
In the afternoon of the opening day Nigel Huddleston will present Google’s latest research which illustrates how the customer journey is changing, after which he will join a panel including Alistair Rowland of Midcounties Co-operative Travel to discuss ways travel companies can provide a connected shopping experience for their customers.
Alongside the plenary sessions there will be a number of specialist breakout forums, including sessions on tourism in an uncertain world, the Package Travel Directive and how technology and new business models are driving mergers and acquisitions in travel.
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