High profile speakers to attend ITT Conference

'Thomas Cook is happy to be a corporate sponsor for the ITT Conference and I shall be using this event to find out how Qatar does business. The country is an emerging short and medium-break destination and is making great strides with its tourism offering' said Manny Fontenla-Novoa, UK chief executive, Thomas Cook.

Several high profile speakers from the travel and tourism industry, the media as well as the political arena are expected to take part in engaging and sometimes offbeat debates. Key speakers include former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell, TUI UK's Chris Mottershead, Manny Fontenla-Novoa of Thomas Cook, Cosmos' Terry Williamson and for a quirky look at weather and travel, Micheal Fish. Industry expert Micheal East will hold the first interview with former British Airways boss Bob Ayling, now at Holidaybreak, and former MyTravel executive Steve Endacott will act as judge as Travel Weekly and TTG editors Martin Lane and John Welsh answer charges of misrepresenting the industry.

Mr. Jihad Ballout, Manager of Communications and Media Relations and the Official Spokesperson for Al Jazeera Television will also attend the ITT Conference to discuss current affairs and their effect on tourism.

Complementing the excellent programme of presentations are a series of tours in and a round Doha, including a Dhow Cruise. These will show delegates what a unique destination Qatar is for the holidaymaker looking for quality attractions and highly interesting sites of cultural importance. Attendees looking at Qatar for future events will also be impressed with the five-star standard of hotels and conference facilities.

Inaugurated in 1956, the Institute of Travel and Tourism seeks to develop and maintain professional standards throughout the travel industry for the benefit of its members.