Gulf Air President and Chief Executive James Hogan will be a key note speaker at the ITT tourism conference being held from 12 to 14 June at Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa in Muscat. Hailed as one of the very high profile events, the conference will see around 400 chairpersons, CEOs, managing directors and top officials from the international travel and trade industry taking part.

Many industry stalwarts, well known travel writers and journalists will be addressing the sessions during the three day programme of events.

Hogan will address two sessions; the first, a joint session titled, A Current Affair in which he will talk about issues affecting the aviation industry, while FTO Director General Andrew Cooper Andrew Cooper will discuss the current state of the tour operation industry.

The second is Question Time, in which Hogan will be joined by The Times Assistant Editor Tim Hames, British parliamentarian the Rt. Hon. Michael Howard QC MP and noted US-based writer Bill Bryson. The question time session will focus on how the world events have influenced travel and tourism industry over the past twelve months and what the future holds for the industry.

“Aviation industry is part and parcel of the travel and tourism industry,” says Hogan.

“However, while the latter has been witnessing a healthy growth world over, the aviation industry’s growth is challenged by several issues such as increasing fuel cost, price competition, etc. Events such as ITT 2006 are one of the appropriate forums where these and other issues can be discussed and possible solutions could be found among the industry players.”

The conference is hosted by the Oman Ministry of Tourism in association with Gulf Air and Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa.

In response to high demand to the conference, Gulf Air has introduced an additional flight dedicated to ITT participants - flight GF2005, to carry 197 passengers from Muscat to London on Thursday 15 June.

Gulf Air introduced a double daily service (except Thursdays) between Muscat and London earlier this year. Onboard, passengers will be able to enjoy the first class service that the award-winning boutique airline has introduced, which include Sky Chefs, the world’s only Sky Nannies and new Business and First Class cabins.

The Institute of Travel and Tourism is one of the oldest organisations established in 1956 that seeks to develop and maintain professional standards throughout the travel industry for the benefit of its members through the Continued Personal Development (CPD) and training of individuals.

It also serves as a platform and provides guidelines for the formal recognition of individual progress, which become the standards in the travel and tourism industry.
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