TRAVELMOLE.TV | The Travel Convention 2007 (ABTA) - Tenerife

Interview with Francesca Ecsery, Cheapflights

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

1. Francesca Ecsery of Cheapflights talks about her company and their presence at The Travel Convention. 2. The carbon footprint of the travel industry versus other industries. 3. The impact of changing technology on travel sales. 4. How Cheapflights makes money and remains profitable.

Location:Tenerife

Interview with Online Regional Travel Group

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

1. Ian and Brian of Online Regional Travel Group debate the place of travel agents in an increasingly digital world. 2. Popular holiday destinations and activities, including cruises. 3. The Travel Convention is very useful because it brings agencies and suppliers together. 4. Sustainability issues and the marketplace.

Location:Tenerife

Interview with Richard English, Retraining

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

1. Richard English of Retraining claims that travel agents can succeed if they add value for consumers, and offers advice how to do that. 2. Richard gives his opinion of The Travel Convention so far.

Location:Tenerife

Interview with Claire Hancer, VisitBritain

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

1. Claire Hancer of VisitBritain talks about Britain's relationships with travel agents and domestic tourism. 2. VisitBritain's desire to increase the country's visibility and market their green credentials.

Location:Tenerife

Interview with David Gardner, Eurostar

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

1. David Gardner of Eurostar discusses his company's UK sales strategy and channel neutrality. 2. Eurostar is competing with airlines by offering free carbon neutral trips and opening new terminals. 3. Improving rail service and booking throughout Europe.

Location:Tenerife

Interview with John Harding, Hotels4U.com

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

1. John Harding of Hotels4U.com talks about how The Travel Convention has changed. 2. How travel agents can reinvent themselves through dynamic packaging and other strategies. 3. New products that Hotels4U.com is currently developing, even as they remain focused on accommodation. 4. Hotels4U.com does sell direct to consumer, but the company emphasizes sales to the trade because that is the best means of distribution there is. 5. John sees good things in store for the industry in 2008 because people will always go on holiday, and that urge is stronger than

Location:Tenerife

Interview with Stephen Dunk, TravelZoo

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

1. Stephen Dunk of TravelZoo claims that consumers can use the internet for simple travel, but need agents for more complex vacations. 2. In The Travel Conference so far, Stephen has seen many companies trying to be all things to all people, and thinks that is too broad a business strategy. 3. TravelZoo publishes travel deals, and the listings are paid for by the sellers. 4. A traveler's plans for sustainable travel are an individual choice, not one that a company should make for them.

Location:Tenerife

Interview with Ian McCaig, lastminute.com

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

1. Ian McCaig of lastminute.com discusses the participation of agents in The Travel Convention 2007, and their future in the industry as a whole. 2. How lastminute.com operates on a large scale throughout Europe, and leverages their role as part of the Travelocity family. 3. About 15% of lastminute.com customers pay to offset their carbon, and the company wants to build on this success. 4. Ian sees a slowdown at retail stores in 2008, but thinks that consumers are prioritizing travel more than ever.

Location:Tenerife

Interview with Richard Carrick, Hoseasons

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

1. Richard Carrick of Hoseasons talks about the travel habits of Brits when faced with bad weather, frustrating air travel, and other issues. 2. Hoseasons acts as an aggregator of information from thousands of separate SMEs. 3. The Travel Conference has fewer agents this year, but many great networking opportunities. 4. Richard discusses the impact of the 2012 Olympic games on UK tourism.

Location:Tenerife

Interview with Patricia Yates, VisitBritain

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

1. Patricia Yates of VisitBritain wants to emphasize the range of opportunities for domestic tourism in the UK. 2. VisitBritain is working to make sure that the country benefits from the 2012 Olympic games. 3. The UK is not a cheap destination, so it is marketed internationally as a quality destination with sustainable tourism options, and domestic tourism is important.

Location:Tenerife

Interview with Robin Wilkins, SeaFrance

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

1. Robin William of SeaFrance reveals how the cross-channel ferry company has kept business coming over the last several years. 2. SeaFrance is taking steps to help the environment, such as using better fuel. 3. Ferry business is primarily to holiday travelers, and sales are increasingly direct to consumer. 4. Robin discusses some of the logistical and technological issues that SeaFrance is currently handling. 5. The advantages to taking ferries, and how they are marketed.

Location:Tenerife

Interview with Bill Gibbons, Passenger Shipping Association

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

1. Bill Gibbons of the Passenger Shipping Association talks about how the cruise industry is booming, and the ferry business is also improving. 2. What is in store for the industry in 2008, and why cruises have become increasingly popular

Location:Tenerife

Interview with Carol Marlow, Cunard Line

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

1. Carole Marlow of Cunard Line suggests that the increasing quality of cruise ships and variety of activities available onboard are the reason for their popularity. 2. Carole discusses the features of Cunard's new Queen Victoria ship, and the improvements to the rest of their fleet.

Location:Tenerife

Interview with Jo Rzymowska, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

1. Jo Rzymowska of the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line talks about their launch of the biggest cruise ship in the world, and what it features. 2. Royal Caribbean is an American cruise line finding a lot of success in the UK market. 3. Larger cruise ships have more facilities, so cruise companies can appeal to a broad audience.

Location:Tenerife

Interview with Lol Nichols, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

1. Lol Nichols of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines discusses how the cruise business is growing rapidly, and Fred. Olsen is set to launch a new ship. 2. Cruises are popular because of the activities, the good food, and the ability to avoid airport security hassles. 3. Fred. Olsen stays competitive by placing ships in regional ports all around the UK.

Location:Tenerife

Interview with Stephen Park, NCL

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

1. Stephen Park of NCL talks about how it is important to match first time cruise customers with the right ship so they become repeat customers. 2. NCL is bringing two new ships to the UK, with fine dining and less hassle than airport travel.

Location:Tenerife

The Travel Convention Day1

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Recap of Day 1 (28 Nov) at The Travel Convention 2007, held on the Spanish island of Tenerife. The theme of Day 1 is "business world," with the focus on business and the travel industry in particular. A who's who of senior figures will take part, debating views on the future of travel.

Location:Tenerife

The Travel Convention - ABTA Football Challenge

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

ABTA Football Challenge - YOUTravel.com

Location:Tenerife

The Travel Convention - ABTA Cruise Special

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The Travel Convention - ABTA Cruise Special

Location:Tenerife

The Travel Convention Day2

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Recap of Day 2 (29 Nov) at The Travel Convention 2007, held on the Spanish island of Tenerife. The theme of Day 2 is "tomorrow's world," looking at how new technology and wealthier economies are reshaping travel brands.

Location:Tenerife