The second World Travel Internet Conference (WTIC) is again winging its way to the Caribbean, with the travel technology sector’s top decision makers descending on the Beaches Turks and Caicos Resort & Spa, Turks and Caicos, on September 18.
Success in the travel technology sector is more about innovation than any other factor. This conference aims to spark a one-day conversation on this very topic.

Industry decision makers from the leisure, corporate, distribution and hospitality sectors will gather in just overthree months to debate, engage and define the new reality in the travel-tech marketplace and the next generation of e-commerce in this rapidly expanding sector.

John Davis, the CEO of Pegasus Solutions will headline the event. Other speakers include David Soskin, CEO of Cheapflights.com and Glenn Fogel, Senior Vice President, International & Corporate Development, Priceline.com.

“It is about creating a dialogue so that people can talk about the rapidly evolving landscape in the travel-tech sector and the developments that really matter to them,” says organiser Anna Gouldman.

“After the success of the first WTIC in Barbados, industry experts have been calling for another conference. Two years is a long time in this rapidly evolving sector, so defining industry-wide strategies and taking stock of the pace of change is essential.”

The WTIC 2006 will take place two days before the 13th World Travel Awards gala ceremony, offering a high level of international participation and an ideal networking opportunity for delegates. Cable & Wireless are the headline sponsor for the event.

Sessions will seek to inform companies of what their competition and others are doing and to help determine which technologies to focus on and how to implement them. Themes such as online trends and mobile technology in the travel sector are up for discussion.

This conference prides itself on the quality of its carefully selected speakers and the format and content of their presentations, which are given independently and without commercial spin. Each session is designed to inform and inspire delegates.

Commenting on their sponsorship of the event, Drexwell Seymour, CEO of Cable and Wireless - Turks and Caicos says: “We are pleased to be a part of this historic event. We recognise the importance and take pride in connecting the Turks and Caicos to the world. It is a prestigious and timely honour for the country to have been chosen to host an event of this magnitude. Cable and Wireless is the provider of choice for Internet services and we are privileged to be the headline sponsor for the World Travel Internet Conference.” 

It is expected that an audience of over 150 senior executives from all sectors along the travel, tourism and hospitality value chain, as well as worldwide media will be in attendance.

The event has already gained the support of those who attended the first event in Barbados, which met with critical acclaim from travel industry insiders.

The inaugural WTIC had an impressive roster of presentations, which captured the attention of delegates and international journalists. Leading names in the travel technology industry who participated included Enrique Camacho, Executive Vice President Internet Services, Cable & Wireless, Ron Andruff, CEO, Tralliance, Del Ross, Global Director e-Commerce, InterContinental Hotels, Christoph Bergdolt, International Account Manager, SITA, Hudson Husbands, Chairman, Barbados Tourism Authority and Cameron Yuill, Vice President, Partner Marketing.

Conference speaker Hudson Husbands, chairman of the Barbados Tourism Authority, said of the event: “What was very clear is the world class line up of leading travel technology and internet speakers from around the world and the quality of their presentations. One cannot underestimate the value of having the leaders in e-travel first visit your destination and then deliver themselves of the most up to date knowledge and experiences on travel and the internet.”

He added “Certainly Barbados’ best tourism and technology minds have been stretched and stimulated as have those delegates from around the world”.

The second WTIC event in Turks and Caicos will again bring together some of the top technology minds in the travel industry, providing both educational and networking opportunities, with high-levels of participation from across the globe.
www.worldtravelinternetconference.com
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