Business sessions

ABTA’s Travel Convention is recognised as the forward-looking and leading event in the travel calendar, with the business sessions providing a broad spectrum of topics and practical insights designed to help travel companies navigate the current climate and prepare for what lies ahead. The programme will have a balance of content addressing current opportunities and challenges, as well as a vision of the future.

Each year, some of the industry’s leading figures join us to share their views on the industry, while external experts deliver thought-provoking high-level content around new trends, best practice and innovations coming down the line. The two-day business programme also includes guest speakers who can inspire us to change the way we think and behave.

The business programme is available below.

Theme

Shaping our future will be the theme for this year’s Travel Convention.

In an ever-evolving world, the actions we take today will define the trajectory of our industry for years to come. 'Shaping our future' is a call to action for the industry’s leaders, stakeholders and experts to come together to collaborate on forging a positive, sustainable, innovative, and resilient future.

The business session topics will guide us to shape an industry that takes control, thrives, and leads with purpose.

Four pillars

This year’s agenda will be developed around four pillars: Our world; Our industry; Your business and Your network.

Our world delves into current global events and what the future holds, helping the travel sector to grasp the broader context and adapt to changes on the horizon.

Our industry addresses current developments, emerging trends and future challenges, offering actionable advice from industry experts.

Your business highlights the world of work, our people, technological advancements, and the latest innovations coming down the line.

Your network facilitates quality time to connect with your peers and exchange ideas in business and social settings.

These pillars will ensure this year’s Convention delivers critical insights, tangible takeaways, and valuable connections to shape our future.

Main stage sessions
Tuesday 8 October

Welcome and introduction 
Jonathan Samuels, Moderator
Jonathan Samuels, a Sky News presenter and travel writer, will open the business sessions with an overview of this year’s Convention theme and programme.

Opening remarks
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive, ABTA
ABTA’s Chief Executive, Mark Tanzer, explores the central theme of this year’s Travel Convention, and provides an update on the year at ABTA and for the sector since the 2023 Convention. 

Shifting sands
Ros Atkins, Broadcaster and Journalist
Renowned broadcaster, journalist and news analyst, Ros Atkins, will provide his perspective on the economic, policy and power shifts taking place in the UK and around the world that will reshape our future.

After his presentation, Ros will be interviewed by Jonathan Samuels and take questions from the audience.

Forces reshaping the consumer industry
Alistair Pritchard, Lead Partner for Travel, Cruise and Aviation, Deloitte LLP
Danielle Rawson, Director - Travel, Hospitality & Leisure Advisory, Deloitte LLP
Six major forces are reshaping the consumer industry, creating new opportunities and risks that will reshuffle the landscape of winners and losers. The consumer industry is facing a once-in-a-century economic, social, and technological transition. To add complexity, this is happening against a backdrop of significant challenges, such as accelerated climate change, growing economic inequality, declining trust, and increasing polarisation.

Alistair Pritchard and Danielle Rawson will present Deloitte’s research on these unprecedented challenges, exploring how these forces will fundamentally impact the markets, models and mechanics of consumer facing companies over the next decade.

ABTA LifeLine
Trudie Clements, Director, ABTA LifeLine
The Director of ABTA LifeLine will talk about the difference the charity has made with your support since Bodrum 2023, and outline this year’s Convention LifeLine initiatives.

Shaping our future
Moderated by: Lucy Huxley, Editor-in-Chief, Travel Weekly 
Derek Jones, Non-Executive Director, Not Just Travel
Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive, ABTA
Garry Wilson, CEO, easyJet holidays
Three ABTA Board Directors will discuss this year’s Convention theme, Shaping our future, in a panel session and audience Q&A led by Lucy Huxley.

The panel will discuss topics ranging from the opportunities, issues and challenges for the travel sector, strategies for collaborative innovation and effective lobbying, through to the role of ABTA as the anchor association in coordinating and leading the industry.

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Breakout sessions – please see below.

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The next silvers
Debbie Marshall, Managing Director, Silver Marketing Association
The Baby Boomer market has been the subject of much research and debate over the last decade. However, little attention has so far been given to the next generation of silvers – the younger Gen X and older millennials - who are approaching their half century landmark. Many are at the peak of their income potential – the 40-somethings are the only age group that have reported the most consistent rise in disposable income over the last five years. However, they are also the generation with the least time for leisure and multiple demands on their attention span.

Debbie Marshall will address the wealth, values, cultural influences and needs of this mighty new cohort, and ask how the changing demographic landscape across the wider spectrum of ageing will influence both product planning and marketing over the next decade.

Face to face with Johan Lundgren
Johan Lundgren, CEO, easyJet
This face-to-face interview will provide a fascinating insight into Johan Lundgren’s time at easyJet which has of course included navigating the pandemic as the airline pursues its ambition of becoming “Europe’s most loved airline, winning for customers, shareholders and the company’s people”. Credited with devising and launching easyJet holidays, Johan will also outline its growth plans, as he prepares to step down next year and hand over the reins to his successor.

Main stage sessions
Wednesday 9 October

Welcome to day two
Jonathan Samuels, Moderator
Sky News presenter and travel writer, Jonathan Samuels, will welcome delegates to day two of the business sessions and set the scene for another day of insightful content.

Investment in travel
Rick Jones, UK Hospitality, Sports and Leisure Sector Leader and Corporate Finance Partner, PwC UK
Eleanor Scott, Partner, Strategy& (part of the PwC UK network)
Rick Jones and Eleanor Scott will share a PwC view on investment trends within the travel industry. They will explore which areas are attracting the most investor interest, the outlook for investment coming into the travel industry, and the broader implications for the travel sector. The session will include proprietary research and some crystal ball gazing on what this might mean for future growth areas for travel over the next two to three years.

Reframing leadership on sustainability
Minette Batters, Former President of the National Farmers’ Union
Matt Callaghan, Chief Operating Officer, easyJet holidays
Linden Coppell, Vice President Sustainability & ESG, MSC Cruises S.A
Former President of the NFU, Minette Batters, will address the need for leaders to reframe their thinking about sustainability as an add-on, to a perspective that treats sustainability as core to their business, based on her experience of the farming and food industry. She will talk about building consumer confidence through sustainability certification, balancing high sustainability standards with affordability for customers, tackling climate change, and protecting the industry’s reputation.

Following her talk, Minette will be joined by travel industry experts to discuss what our sector can take away from her experience.

Talking travel
Moderated by Ian Taylor, Executive Editor, Travel Weekly
Ken Campling, Group Finance Director, Hays Travel
Giles Hawke, Vice President and Managing Director UK/Ireland & EMEA, Celebrity Cruises
Eleni Skarveli, Director, GNTO UK & Ireland
Lesley Taylor, Managing Director, Cosmos & Avalon Waterways
Ian Taylor, Executive Editor at the Travel Weekly Group will be joined by a panel of industry experts to discuss the future growth potential for travel highlighted in PwC’s presentation earlier in the day. Ian will facilitate the discussion and invite questions from the audience.

The changing face of leadership and work
Blaire Palmer, Future of Leadership Expert
Jo Rzymowska, Founder, Jovolution
The world has changed so much, even in the last two years, that if we want to create a vibrant company where our people are solving complex problems, stepping up and taking ownership and giving us the edge in a tough market; we need to rethink what it means to lead today.

Hybrid working, the war for talent, the cost of living, staff wellness, mental health, tech transformation, the need to embrace DEI in order to stand a chance of competing – the world of business leadership has never been more challenging. Leadership coach, Blaire Palmer, will explain how people and their ideas can thrive under your leadership and how to create an organisation that’s fit for the future.

Following her presentation, Blaire will be joined by Jo Rzymowska who will raise some of the challenges facing senior travel professionals as they continue to adapt to the new world of work, including the impact this has on them personally.

Tourism for good
Hazel Mcguire, General Manager UK and Ireland, Intrepid Travel
Richard Hammond, Executive Producer, Green Traveller Productions
Vasilis Karakousis, Sustainability Director, TEMES – Developers of Costa Navarino
Responsible tourism is about creating great places to live as well as to visit. In this session, our panel will explore how travel can be a force for good, benefiting both travellers and local communities. They will discuss the opportunities and challenges in developing innovative projects that are enriching travel experiences. Join us as we delve into the positive impact these initiatives can have on the industry and communities alike.

The unifying power of sport
Kirsty Gallacher, Sports broadcaster and Smooth Radio host
Emily Campbell, World and Olympic medallist
As this year’s Travel Convention draws to a close in the Peloponnese – home to ancient Olympia – we’ll reflect on a monumental summer of sport, with a special look at the 2024 Olympics. Joining us is the renowned sports broadcaster and Smooth Radio host, Kirsty Gallacher. With decades of experience covering the world’s biggest sporting events, Kirsty has been at the forefront of broadcasting, soundtracking iconic sporting moments with the perfect blend of music and commentary. During the closing business session, Kirsty will offer unique insights from her distinguished career in sports journalism, sharing her stories interviewing world’s top athletes, the triumphs of winning a medal, and the role of positivity in high-level competition. She’ll be joined by Emily Campbell, Team GB’s phenomenal double World and Olympic medallist, for an inspiring conversation about the unifying power of sport and the remarkable resilience of champions. Ian Taylor, Executive Editor at the Travel Weekly Group will be joined by a panel of industry experts to discuss the future growth potential for travel highlighted in PwC’s presentation earlier in the day. Ian will facilitate the discussion and invite questions from the audience.

Closing remarks
Alistair Rowland, Chair, ABTA
The Chair of ABTA will highlight the key takeaways from the business sessions and thank all those involved in delivering this year’s event in Greece as he brings the 2024 Travel Convention to a close. 

Breakout 1 – Holiday Habits: consumer sentiment report launch 2024
Graeme Buck, Director of Communications, ABTA
Emma Brennan, Head of Media and Communications, ABTA
Join Graeme Buck and Emma Brennan of ABTA to find out the results of this year's Holiday Habits report at this exclusive briefing for Travel Convention delegates. ABTA’s annual Holiday Habits report has been running since 2011 and is one of the most respected reports of its kind. Each year, it outlines how people travelled in the year just gone, and looks ahead to prospects for the next 12 months.

Breakout 2 – Travel law: navigating the challenges of a changing travel world
Moderated by: Krystene Bousfield, Partner, Travlaw
Simon Bunce, Director of Legal Affairs, ABTA
Chris Roche, CEO, The Adventure People
Richard Simpson, Governance & Compliance Manager, Travel, The Midcounties Co-operative
An overhaul of consumer protection regulation poses new challenges for the industry! There are reports of extreme temperatures, severe drought, and local protests at holiday destinations worldwide! And it doesn’t stop there, with travel companies facing calls to be more transparent about their environmental and social governance. Hear insights from our expert panel on the challenges that travel companies face as regulators get more powers, customers gain more rights when things go wrong, and questions about the sustainability of travel increase.

Breakout 3 – AI in action
Moderated by: Stuart Parker, Director of Operations, ABTA
Richard Addey, Senior Regional Director, Northern Europe, Sabre
Simon Powell, CEO, Inspiretec
This session will explore the transformative power of AI within the travel industry, highlighting applications that are already reshaping how businesses operate and enhance customer experiences. Attendees will gain insights into the practical ways AI is revolutionising back-office operations, automating routine tasks, and driving sales. The speakers will provide real-world examples, including innovations that streamline processes, personalise experiences, and improve efficiency. The discussion will also explore AI-driven technologies on the horizon that promise to further transform the industry by improving operational intelligence and decision-making capabilities.

The Sustainable Travel Agora
Chaired by: Carol Rose, Head of Sustainability, ABTA
In a continuous effort to promote responsible travel, the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) UK office introduced the Sustainable Travel Agora in 2023. The Agora is a forum which unites travel industry peers to discuss and advance sustainability efforts, fostering a community dedicated to elevating sustainable practices and bridging the gap between intention and action. Led by Carol Rose of ABTA, The Agora will convene for a special meeting at the Convention focused on the balancing act of integrating nature protection with responsible tourism. 

Existing members of the Agora will be invited to participate in this discussion by the GNTO, with some additional places available on request.