EVENTS

Hotels 2006- Resilient Sector Looks to Future Challenges and Opportunities
30/10/2006
Hotels take centre stage on Meetings, Conference and Incentive Travel Day at World Travel Market on Tuesday 7 November.
The importance and influence the hotel sector plays at the heart of the travel and tourism industry is reflected by the record number of hotel exhibitors and Meetings, Conference and Incentive Travel Day being sponsored for the first time by the Greek National Tourism Organisation.
Following the success and positive feedback of last year’s hotel panel discussion, ‘Hotels 2006’ - on the World Stage at 14.00 - will review what has happened within the sector over the past year whilst looking at trends, opportunities and challenges to be faced in 2007.
‘Hotels 2006’ will be chaired by Peter Haigh, consultant and currently MPI UK President with the panel comprising of Kip Horton, Vice President Sales EMEA, Starwood; Irini Varda-Capsis, Commerical Director, Capsis Convention Centres and Resort Hotels and Bill Talbert, President and CEO, Greater Miami CVB.
Commenting on the sector Peter Haigh said: “The UK hotel market, and London in particular, showed surprising resilience this summer in the face of possible terrorist attacks and severe disruptions at all major airports. London, certainly at the top end of the market had a much better July and August than expected.
“Within the corporate market there is an increasing focus on conference and meeting spend with more companies purchasing software to assist in meetings management and consolidation. Along with this trend event organisers and meeting planners are being challenged to evaluate the effectiveness and measure the impact and success of their meetings and events to justify their expenditure.”
The audience of travel professionals will have an opportunity to participate in a Q&A session. No tickets are required. Seats allocated on a first come first served basis.