MARCH 2015SPECIAL EDITION IN ASSOCIATION WITH

bullittin

It’s always exciting to visit somewhere new and Ras Al Khaimah will be a new destination experience for most ITT Conference delegates.

The beauty of Ras Al Khaimah is that it lies just fifty minutes north of Dubai International Airport and yet enjoys mile after mile of the most wonderful undeveloped white sandy beaches. It is on one of these great beaches that the magnificent Waldorf Astoria is situated.

Delegates travelling to the Conference will experience one of the finest hotels in the World for a reduced rate of 990 AED per night courtesy of ITT Corporate Partner, Hilton Worldwide – that’s £183.50 at today’s exchange rate for a single occupancy room. With seats on Royal Brunei’s fantastic new Dreamliner available from £330 including taxes; delegates who book with Royal Brunei in any class will also have complimentary Lounge access at Heathrow Terminal 4.

Former Home Secretary, Alan Johnson MP and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE will both speak at the Conference, as will former Liberal Democrat MP, Chris Huhne.

Steven Freudmann, ITT Chairman said “It is certainly going to be one of the most exciting destinations that we’ve ever been to. Bookings are already ahead of where we were this time last year so we’re confident that it’s going to be a complete sell-out again”.

ITT’S RAS AL KHAIMAH

REGISTER NOW AT WWW.ITT.CO.UK

BDO AT ITT2015: Another Year of HyperactivityPg 3

TTG READER OFFERJoin ITT – Save £25Pg 4

EDUCATION AND TRAININGFuture You On The RoadPg 8

DESERT ISLAND DISCSAlex White, Princess CruisesPg 11

MEDIA

FEATURED INSIDE:

PEACOCK ALLEY, WALDORF ASTORIA RAS AL KHAIMAH BARONESS TANNI GREY-THOMPSON DBE AND ALAN JOHNSON MP

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Institute of Travel & TourismPO Box 217, Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 8WY Tel: 0844 499 5653 Fax: 0844 499 5654 e-mail: admin@itt.co.uk web: www.itt.co.uk

Registered Address: Conduit House, Conduit Lane, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, EN11 8EP.Company no. 1117511

STAY CONNECTED

ITT Events and Offers are regularly promoted to Members via e-flyers, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Email: If you would like to add or amend your email details, please contact Paul Evans on paul@itt.co.uk or 0844 4995 653.

LinkedIn Search and join our two groups:

Open Group Institute of Travel & Tourism (ITT)

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Finding speakers for our business sessions at Conference is always a challenge, but it’s a challenge that I relish every year. Speakers like John Prescott, Nigel Farage, Cherie Blair and Sir Terry Leahy inevitably raise eyebrows but the ITT has never been afraid of using controversial speakers. Indeed challenging accepted views is, I feel, one of the roles of the Institute. Stimulating debate will always be central to the success of our Conference.

This year we have attracted a mix of speakers from both inside and outside the travel sector. New travel faces joining us for the first time will be UK industry chiefs, Salman Syed of Thomas Cook and David Burling of TUI, along with Dermot Mannion of Royal Brunei Airlines. From the world of politics we look forward to welcoming former Home Secretary, Alan Johnson MP; former Transport Secretary, Lord Adonis and former Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne.

It has all the makings of yet another superb and maybe controversial ITT Conference!

I hope to see you in Ras Al Khaimah.

Dr Steven Freudmann F.Inst.TT Chairman

CHAIRMAN’S COMMENT

ITT ODYSSEY SUPPER 26 MARCH 2015

House of Commons

A SECRET VINEYARDS TASTING EVENING

14 APRIL 2015

Hungarian Culture Centre,

ITT ODYSSEY SUPPER 14 MAY 2015

House of Commons

ITT CONFERENCE 2015 1-3 JUNE 2015

Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah

ITT SUMMER PARTY 22 JULY 2015

House of Commons

ITT ODYSSEY SUPPER 16 SEPTEMBER 2015

House of Commons

ITT PRESIDENT’S DINNER 21 OCTOBER 2015

The Dorchester, London

ITT CHRISTMAS PARTY 9 DECEMBER 2015

House of Lords

SALMAN SYED DAVID BURLING CHRIS HUHNE

NETWORK ITT LONDON

The Trafalgar Hotel 1 APRIL 2015

6 MAY 2015

10 JUNE 2015

8 JULY 2015

5 AUGUST 2015

2 SEPTEMBER 2015

7 OCTOBER 2015

2 DECEMBER 2015

NETWORK ITT MANCHESTER

Hilton Manchester Deansgate 22 APRIL 2015

18 NOVEMBER 2015

NETWORK ITT LEEDS

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Leeds City Centre

1 JULY 2015

London

Guest Speaker – Richard Bowden-Doyle

Guest Speaker – Steve Endacott

NB: non-members are welcome to attend Network ITT and ITT events (excluding the ITT Conference).

Corporate Partners

ITT NEWS

2014 was an excellent year for mergers and acquisitions. At BDO, we advised on the Gold Medal, JacTravel, Stella Travel and Scott Dunn deals and what is clear, is the sheer number of high quality travel businesses in the UK. 2015 will be another year of hyperactivity.

What has been astonishing over the last six months is the announcements by TUI and Kuoni to separate or divest large elements of their businesses. No analysts expected TUI to explore a potential divestment of its specialist division while Kuoni’s announcement to sell its B2C tour operator, Europe’s fifth largest, is equally surprising. Kuoni’s reorganised structure will consist of three divisions: B2B wholesale of accommodation, destination management services and travel-related business process outsourcing solutions. Focus appears to be the buzzword for 2015: Kuoni will become a pure B2B player, while TUI will seek to grow its mainstream product.

So what does this tell us? At the luxury and specialist end of the tour operating market, nimbler operators such as Destinology, Audley Travel and Scott Dunn are able to provide a more bespoke service and product, generating sales growth of 20% per year while the industry leaders by volume are more static. Renewed focus under new ownership will help reinvigorate the larger players. Kuoni will attract a vast amount of interest due to its venerable brand, its pan-European footprint and source markets in high growth markets in Asia. The TUI specialist brands, if they are sold, will also generate a bidding frenzy, especially among private equity investors.

Other deals we can expect in 2015 are transactions for the private equity backed businesses that have been held for three years or more, such as Audley Travel and Iglu. So it should be another interesting year!

ANOTHER INTERESTING YEAR

(BDO is an ITT Corporate Partner)

ITT MEMBERS’ SHOP OFFERS

Individual and Corporate Members regularly offer discounts and special deals to their fellow ITT colleagues. If you would like to do the same, please contact Paul Evans on paul@itt.co.uk

There are over 40 offers currently available in the Members’ Shop*, including:

Hi-Life Diners Club Save up to £50 on a 12 month hi-life dining membership

Holiday Extras Up to 20% discount

Hospital and Medical Care Association Save up to 50% for you and your immediate family on private medical plans

JLAG 10% discount on project management for sustainable development courses

Mayo Wynne Baxter Solicitors Free initial consultation of 30 minutes, either by telephone or in person, and a 10% discount on all legal fees thereafter (excluding VAT and disbursements)

Rugby World Cup 2015 Travel Guide Up to 40% off advertising rates

SOUK Free strategic marketing review

Bicester Outlet Shopping Village VIP pass and 10% reduction in participating stores

Viceroy Maldives Up to 30% discount until September 2015

*subject to terms and conditions

Visit the Members’ Shop for more information about these special offers and visit regularly for updates.

ITT MEMBER BENEFITS 3

WHAT IS ITT?

ABOUT ITT

The Institute of Travel & Tourism – ITT – has been dedicated to working on behalf of its Members since its formation in 1956.

As an Institute of individual and corporate Members representing every sector of the travel & tourism industry, ITT provides regular opportunities for Members to network with industry colleagues and sector experts for the discussion and sharing of industry issues, as well as personal development.

Membership of ITT also provides access to the Members’ Shop, which includes benefits ranging from travel and retail discounts to business services, training and other special offers.

Who can be a Member?

Membership is open to everyone involved in travel and tourism – whether employed by a travel agency, airline, tour operator, hotel, tourist office, car hire company or any other travel related service business such as PR, law and marketing. The Institute also welcomes travel and tourism lecturers, educators and their students.

Different membership categories ensure that ITT is relevant and affordable for everyone and organisations of all sizes. Visit www.itt.co.uk/membership/index.php for membership details.

“ITT PROVIDES A GOOD

OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK

WITH INDUSTRY COLLEAGUES AND

MEET FRIENDS.“

RAJAN SAWHNEY

“MEMBERSHIP OF ITT ENABLES ME TO COLLABORATE WITH INDUSTRY PEERS, TO BOUNCE AROUND IDEAS, SHARE AND GAIN KNOWLEDGE AND OBTAIN

INSIGHTS ON TOMORROW’S TRAVEL TRENDS AND CHALLENGES. THE TRAVEL BUSINESS IS EVOLVING AND IT’S GOOD TO MIX WITH THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS.

AS A GROUND-BREAKING AND FORWARD-THINKING TOUR OPERATOR FOR DISABLED PEOPLE, ENABLE HOLIDAYS NEEDS TO BE WELL-CONNECTED

THROUGHOUT EVERY ASPECT OF ITS OPERATION. MEMBERSHIP OF ITT IS A HIGHLY VALUED CONNECTION.”

LYNNE KIRBY, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ENABLE HOLIDAYS

“I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF ITT SINCE 2004, AND I VALUE MY MEMBERSHIP

AS IT GIVES ME ACCESS TO WELL-RUN

FUNCTIONS ATTENDED BY DECISION-MAKERS IN THE INDUSTRY. THE

BUSINESS NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES THESE

PROVIDE ARE EXCELLENT, AND THE ANNUAL

CONFERENCE IS ALWAYS ONE OF THE BEST INDUSTRY EVENTS

OF THE YEAR.“

PETER TRAYNOR, UK GENERAL MANAGER, COLLETTE WORLDWIDE

• A year-round programme of events, ranging from: receptions and guest-speaker suppers to master classes and a prestigious dinner

• An annual overseas Conference

• An annual golf tournament

• Regular free of charge drop-in events in London, Manchester, Leeds and Bristol

• A network of 1,500 Members

• Regular newsletters and electronic updates

• A range of Member benefits (subject to terms and conditions)

• Use of the designatory letters F.Inst.TT or M.Inst.TT, whilst a Member of the Institute

KEY BENEFITS

HOW TO JOIN?

You can join by visiting www.itt.co.uk/membership/

TTG.php and completing the membership

application form.

Alternatively, email paul@itt.co.uk

or call Paul Evans on 0844 4995 653 to discuss the

options available to you.

5

QUOTE TTG AND WE WILL WAIVE

THE £25 ONE-OFF JOINING FEE WHEN YOU APPLY ONLINE.

“WE WERE THE 1ST FOOTBALL CLUB TO BECOME MEMBERS OF ITT AND GOT INSTANT BENEFIT FROM

NETWORKING WHICH TURNED INTO QUICK WINS. THE SENIOR DECISION MAKING LEVEL OF ITT

MEMBERS MEAN WE’VE BEEN ABLE TO HAVE GOOD CONVERSATIONS

ON DIFFERENT PARTS OF OUR BUSINESS, WHICH ONLY GETS MORE CREDIBILITY WITH OUR CURRENT EXPANSION PLANS.

LIVERPOOL FC IS IN OTHER TOURISM ORGANISATIONS WHICH ARE VERY GOOD BUT IT’S PROBABLY FAIR TO SAY THERE’S A UNIQUE FEEL TO ITT

EVENTS.”

TOM CASSIDY, COMMERCIAL TOURISM MANAGER,

LIVERPOOL FC

“PEOPLE BUY FROM PEOPLE IN OUR INDUSTRY, AND ITT GIVES US ALL THE OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK WITH THE VERY BEST CONTRIBUTORS IN

TRAVEL. ITT HELPS OPEN DOORS, BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND PARTNERSHIPS, AND CHAMPIONS OUR WONDERFUL

INDUSTRY.“

ANDY WASHINGTON, MANAGING DIRECTOR, EXPEDIA UK

“MEMBERSHIP OF ITT PROVIDES ME WITH INDUSTRY LEADING NETWORKING AND

CONFERENCE EVENTS AS WELL AS REGULAR MARKET INSIGHT. I WOULD ADVISE ANYBODY THINKING OF JOINING TO DO SO TODAY.“

CHRIS ROCHE, FOUNDER AND CEO, LOVEHOLIDAYS.COM

“BEING AN ITT MEMBER PROVIDES BOTH MYSELF AND MY COLLEAGUES

WITH UNPARALLELED OPPORTUNITY TO EXCHANGE VIEWS, SHARE

KNOWLEDGE AND NETWORK WITH

TRAVEL INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS

IN SETTINGS THAT WOULD BE THE ENVY OF ANY

OTHER INDUSTRY!”

LEE HILLS, PARTNER, MAYO WYNNE BAXTER

UPCOMING EVENTS

Odyssey Suppers are small, informal events that take place in one of the Members’ Dining Rooms at the House of Commons. If you’ve been watching the recent BBC2 four-part documentary series, Inside the Commons, this event will provide the perfect opportunity to experience the Palace of Westminster for yourself.

The event commences with welcome drinks in a Terrace Room, which overlooks the Thames. Guests then move into the Dining Room for a relaxed three

course dinner. Our guest speaker will speak towards the end of the evening and our sponsors – Dunleavy White – will be providing a departure gift.

The audience at the Suppers typically spans travel industry professionals as well as experts working with the sector, welcoming ITT Members and Non-Members alike.

Richard Bowden-Doyle, Executive Chairman at Neilson Active Holidays, will be the guest speaker at the Odyssey Supper taking place on 26 March.

ITT ODYSSEY SUPPER 26 MARCH 2015

SUPPER SPONSORED BY

RECEPTION SPONSORED BY

Visit www.itt.co.uk/events for further details and to book

RICHARD BOWDEN-DOYLE

Secret Vineyards invite you to discover its “secret” wine tour destination. Discover what’s up and coming in the wine market and be a step ahead of the crowd.

Take part in this informal wine tasting event with excellent wines and great atmosphere at the Hungarian Cultural Centre in Covent Garden.

The guest of the evening will be Daniel Konyari, wine maker and owner of the Konyari Estate, a highly regarded and award winning wine making family of Hungary. A wine tasting event with a difference, so not to be missed!

Tickets: Members £25+VAT / Non Members £30+VAT

A SECRET VINEYARDS TASTING EVENT 14 APRIL 2015

IN ASSOCIATION WITH ITT ORGANISED BY

UPCOMING EVENTS 7

ITT Members can expect Arabian excellence from start to finish at this year’s ITT Conference. The event will take place at the magnificent Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah.

The resort is cradled by the crimson Hajar Mountains and vast expanses of desert, the vibrant grassy plains of the Al Hamra championship golf course and the turquoise waters of the Arabian Sea.

As always, the Conference is limited to 400 places and is open to ITT Members only. With over 60% of the places already snapped up, Members are urged to book now.

This year’s ITT Conference will once again be moderated by Tim Hames. Confirmed speakers to date include:

(Pictured above: left to right)

Lord Andrew Adonis

David Burling TUI UK & Ireland

Andrew Cornish Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Christian Grage Hilton

Peter Hemington BDO

Chris Huhne

Alan Johnson MP

Dermot Mannion Royal Brunei Airlines

Salman Syed Thomas Cook, UK & Ireland

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson DBE

Matthew Taylor The RSA

ITT CONFERENCE 1-3 JUNE 2015

®

HEADLINE SPONSORS

TRADE MEDIA PARTNER

VENUE

HOSTS

MEDIA

To find out more about the Conference and to register, visit www.itt.co.uk/conference2015

UNIVERSITY MEMBER NEWS

ITT is delighted to welcome over 50 students from Manchester Metropolitan University as Student Members of the Institute.

Claire Steiner, ITT Chair of Education and Training said “We are thrilled that Manchester Metropolitan University continues to work closely with ITT and their commitment to finding opportunities for their graduates is impressive, as are their great developments in the area of Responsible Tourism education”.

”Student membership of ITT is given to our final year students, as we truly value the network opportunity and the invaluable access to information and additional benefits membership affords. As an ITT recognised Centre of Excellence for Tourism we want to ensure we place our final year students in a strong position to be fully informed and have access to great opportunities through their ITT Student Membership and subsequently, so that they can gain entry into the vibrant, dynamic working environment

of the tourism industry from a position of strength”. Amanda Miller, Principal Lecturer & Programme Leader-Tourism Management, Manchester Metropolitan University

University College Birmingham and the University of Portsmouth have both been awarded special ITT Recognition status for the fantastic work that they are doing in the field of Tourism Education. Steiner said “The ITT Education and Training Committee is looking forward to including them in their on-going work with leading tourism academic institutions”.

ITT EDUCATION AND TRAINING 9

ITT SUPPORTS ...

The College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London has launched a Travel and Hospitality Career Academy, validated by Career Ready UK. The Academy gives the students an amazing opportunity to access industry mentors, work

experience and workplace visits. There are many ways that an organisation or an individual employee can get involved and help shape a young person’s life. Contact dabrey@conel.ac.uk for more information.

MANCHESTER METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

ITT STUDENT OF THE YEAR 2014

Sam Royston, current ITT Student of the Year, has really made the most out of his award and has landed a job at Perfect Weddings Abroad working with previous ITT Student of the Year and ITT Board Director, Danny Waine. Sam will join the business initially part time whilst he completes his

Masters degree. His role will include working with Danny to help recruit and co-ordinate the start-up of Perfect Weddings new self-employed Specialists businesses. Like Danny, Sam used his student award to promote himself to the industry and we wish him every success in his new role!

GTTP FINALIST

The Global Travel & Tourism Partnership (GTTP), endorsed and supported by ITT, is delighted to be named as one of three finalists in the People Award category of the World Travel & Tourism

Council’s 2015 Tourism For Tomorrow Awards. The People Award honours initiatives dedicated to capacity building, training and education to develop a skilled tourism workforce for the future.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS NOMINATIONS

There are seven vacancies available for the ITT Board of Directors, as follows:

1) General

2) General

3) General

4) General

5) Domestic Tourism

6) Sea Transportation

7) Travel Agent

Please visit www.itt.co.uk to download the ITT 2015 Board of Directors Nomination Form.

Forms should be received no later than 30 March 2015. Nominations received after this date will be not valid.

Last year’s flagship ITT student event at WTM was once again a roaring success. Students heard from some of TTG’s 30 Under 30 Tomorrow’s Travel Leaders and the woman behind the brand BH Mallorca – Katy Seaburn – entertained delegates with stories of her days as a travel rep.

Katy gave an exclusive glimpse of what we can expect from this brand new concept hotel opening in Magaluf later this year.

Future You will return to World Travel Market on Thursday 5 November 2015.

FUTURE YOU AT WTM NOVEMBER 2014®

ITT EDUCATION AND TRAINING 9

ITT NOMINATIONS

This season’s Future You On The Road has seen successful events held at the Universities of Brighton, Wolverhampton, Northumbria, Bournemouth, Manchester Metropolitan, Leeds Beckett and Derby. Together with our headline sponsor, BH Mallorca, over 80 travel and tourism companies have taken part to date.

Upcoming dates:

18 MARCH – University of Plymouth

19 MARCH – Cardiff Metropolitan University

FUTURE YOU ON THE ROAD 2015

PREVIOUS EVENTS

The panel of experts at the ITT Amadeus Masterclass last December shared valuable insights into the mobile market and shed new light on how the platform is continuing to evolve. Attendees rated the event a great success for stimulating discussion about the role of mobile in meeting the needs of 21st century travellers.

ITT AMADEUS MASTERCLASS 4 DECEMBER 2014

SHAPE THE FUTURE OF CONNECTED TRAVEL USING MOBILE

SPONSORED BY

ITT Members and their guests celebrated the festive season in the Cholmondeley Room within the House of Lords. The event raised a fantastic £2,050 in aid of Just A Drop, through ticket sales and a silent auction on the night.

With thanks to our event sponsors Sixt rent a car.

ITT CHRISTMAS PARTY 3 DECEMBER 2014

SPONSORED BY

IN AID OF

ITT ODYSSEY SUPPER 5 FEBRUARY 2015

Terry Williamson, Chief Executive at JacTravel was the guest speaker at the February Odyssey Supper, the first of 2015.

Terry is Chief Executive of JacTravel, one of the world’s premier global suppliers of city based hotel rooms and inbound travel services to the travel trade. Under his leadership, the company has grown its revenues by a Compound annual growth rate of 22% through 2009 to 2014 and its profits (EBITDA) CAGR of 41%.

SPONSORED BY

Individual Champion (won with 37 points) Steven O’Meara, News UK

Team Competition (won with 77 points)Dean Harvey, Designate Bill Maxwell, ITT Neil Morgan, TigerBay Systems Jeff Orton, UK General Insurance

Hole 17 – Longest Drive Neil Morgan, TigerBay Systems

Hole 4 – Nearest the Pin James Moore, Affordable Car Hire

Golf Hole Sponsor

ITT GOLF MASTERS 9 MARCH 2015

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS!

SPONSORED BY

DESERT ISLAND DISCS 11

ISLEY BROTHERSSUMMER BREEZEGreat song for relaxing in the sun.

THE BEACH BOYSSURFIN USAClassic summer song! PETER ANDRE MYSTERIOUS GIRL Could re-enact the video and no one would be around to see me. OTIS REDDING SITTING ON THE DOCK OF THE BAY Great song to chill out to, even better if there was an actual dock!

BOOK: E. L. JAMESFIFTY SHADES OF GREYAccording to my colleagues I should take Fifty Shades of Grey!

CLIFF RICHARDSUMMER HOLIDAYReminds me of my childhood holidays. PETER GABRIEL SOLSBURY HILL Reminds me of a gap year from Uni, great memories! THE BEATLES HELP For when the MP3 Batteries die. ERIC CARMEN ALL BY MYSELF Very apt for when you’re stuck on your own.

LUXURY ITEM: MP3 PLAYER MP3 Player so I could listen to all of my desert island tunes!

ALEX WHITE, M.INST.TT. HEAD OF SALES PRINCESS CRUISES

Alex White, a driven, ambitious and highly motivated individual. Alex started his career with Carnival in 2008, first in the sales department and then as a trading manager in the commercial team.

After taking a gap year working as a ski instructor in New Zealand and Austria, Alex took the leap to his current role as UK Head of Sales at Princess Cruises and founder of comeskiwith.me.

The ITT Conference is limited to places and open to ITT Members only Book now to avoid disappointment.

ITT CONFERENCE 1-3 JUNE 2015

VENUE TRADE MEDIA PARTNERHOST

The northern most Emirate of the UAE – Ras Al Khaimah – is a destination with year-round sunshine, sweeping white sandy beaches, beautiful mountains, red sandy desert and lush green

plains, along with a series of creeks and lagoons.

Return flights with Royal Brunei available from £330, including taxes.

ITT Members: £585 www.itt.co.uk/events

New Members: Quote TTG to waive the £25 joining fee www.itt.co.uk/membership/TTG.php

HEADLINE SPONSORS