The possible impact on travel of the expansion of the world’s largest trading bloc, the European Union, will be among issues discussed by a panel of travel experts at a key event facilitated by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO). The event is CTO’s European Marketing Forum, scheduled to be held on November 7th 2004 in London.The Forum will give Caribbean delegates to the World Travel Market (WTM), including ministers, commissioners and directors of tourism, an opportunity to hear key industry speakers talk about opportunities and challenges facing the industry, with particular reference to the United Kingdom and European long haul markets.

This year the event, based around the theme, Communication, Competition and Customer Expectations will address current industry issues, said Julia Hendry, CTO’s director of marketing for Europe.

“It is a very good way for Caribbean delegates to find out what really is happening in the UK and European marketplace and to prepare themselves for the week ahead at WTM,” Ms. Hendry said.

For the second consecutive year, Jeremy Skidmore, leading travel writer and former editor of Travel Weekly, will moderate the forum. The industry panel will include Debbie Hindle, who will open the sessions with an industry overview. Ms. Hindle has 20 years of experience in communications and co-founded bgb communications in 1991. She is a member of the World Tourism Organisation (WTO)‘s Crisis Action Team, the WTO Global Business Leaders Forum and represents bgb as a member of the Travel Foundation Forum.

Keynote speaker Mary Lynch, author of the bookÊ ‘Weathering the Storm’ will share her experiences as former Chief Executive of the English Tourism Council, the national agency for tourism in England. During her tenure as Chief Executive, the tourism industry experienced the shocks of Foot & Mouth disease, September 11th, the Gulf War and SARS.

The panel will be completed with Nicola Austin, Group Marketing Manager for Future Foundation. She will provide a pan-European perspective on consumer changing attitudes, lifestyles, and aspirations.

“The panel will also look at the competitive environment, discussing European trends, new potential markets, global competition, and the impact of an expanded EU on travel,” Ms. Hendry assured.

The CTO European Marketing Forum will be held on Sunday, 7th November 2004 from 11.00am - 2.00pm at the Victoria Park Plaza in London.

Over 30 Caribbean destinations, including scores of private sector representatives, will exhibit Caribbean culture, art, food and music at WTM, described as the world’s second largest tourism trade show behind ITB in Berlin. Over 5,000 leading suppliers and 44,000 industry professionals from over 190 countries will be at the November 8 - 11 trade show.
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