This year’s theme ‘Unleashing new potential’ will be explored in Bodrum from 30 October – 1 November
 
With just a few weeks to go until ABTA’s 2023 Travel Convention in Bodrum (30 Oct-1 Nov), delegates are encouraged to snap up the last places remaining at www.thetravelconvention.com.  
 
ABTA’s Travel Convention is the UK travel industry’s flagship event, bringing colleagues together from across the sector over a three-day programme of thought-provoking business sessions, a packed social schedule, and a variety of excursions to discover the best of Bodrum and its surrounding areas.
 
Under the theme ‘Unleashing new potential’, the business sessions will see a variety of industry experts and external speakers, many of whom are new to the Convention stage, exploring how the industry can realise its potential in a number of important areas: embracing transformative technologies, particularly AI; advancing the sustainability agenda; growth and customer demand; and developing the workforce of the future. 
 
Highlights from the programme of keynote speeches, Q&As and panel discussions include:
 
•    A face-to-face interview with CEO of easyJet holidays, Garry Wilson, offering his insights on the key topics under this year’s theme and discussing easyJet holidays’ plans for 2024 and beyond.

•    A series of presentations exploring how the latest advancements in AI can be used to the travel industry’s advantage, including WIRED’s Senior Innovation Editor, Jeremy White, DER Touristik’s Chief Digital Officer, Joao Gonzaga, and technology pioneer and AI scientist advisor, Inma Martinez.

•    A morning tackling climate change, from how the travel industry can accelerate the pace of climate action to building a more resilient future. A face-to-face interview with Darrell Wade, the co-founder of Intrepid Travel, will be followed by a panel discussion with speakers from across the travel industry, including TTC Tour Brands’ Kelly Jackson.
 
•    Two sessions revealing the latest insights into consumers’ travel plans in 2024, with a focus on the outlook for the UK economy and people’s spending intentions from PwC’s Rick Jones and Eleanor Scott, and insights into holidaymakers’ top destinations from TripAdvisor’s Justin Reid.

•    Two sessions exploring strategies for attracting and retaining talent, developing skills and creating a more diverse workforce, including a panel of industry experts chaired by Jo Rzymowska and a motivational talk from podcaster, business mentor and broadcaster, Cally Beaton, on how to create meaningful and positive change in a fast-evolving world.
 
The full schedule for the three-day conference can be found at www.thetravelconvention.com/agenda.
 
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive at ABTA – The Travel Association, who will be delivering the opening remarks at Convention, said:
 
“This year’s Travel Convention comes at a pivotal moment for our industry, as we continue to face considerable economic and operational challenges while also taking steps to address the ever-more critical challenge of climate change and opening our minds to the hugely transformative power of AI. 
 
“I’m really looking forward to diving into these issues in just a few weeks’ time, all in the wonderful setting of Bodrum, Türkiye, an increasingly important tourist destination for the UK travel industry. I would like to thank the Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency once again for their generous hospitality and encourage anyone planning to register to do so promptly while spaces last.”
 
Registration rates are £795 for ABTA members, with ABTA Partners and non-members paying £895. Register now at www.thetravelconvention.com.