ABTA - The Travel Association is pleased to confirm that Daisy McAndrew, Special Correspondent for ITV News, an extremely experienced journalist and presenter who has successfully hosted ABTA’s Travel Matters conferences, will moderate the 2012 Travel Convention in Turkey. ABTA also welcomes Allianz Global Assistance, Cosmos Holidays, First Data Merchant Solutions and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines as headline sponsors.

Daisy McAndrew commented on her appointment: “I am delighted that ABTA has entrusted me with the role of moderator for this year’s business sessions. The Travel Convention has an incredible reputation for stimulating healthy debate about the issues that count in the travel industry, and for providing delegates with invaluable insight and foresight about the customer behaviours and developments that will impact the future of the sector. I am really looking forward to playing a key role in this year’s event”.

Ben Smart, Corporate, Travel & Health Sales Director, Allianz Global Assistance said: “This year’s Travel Convention is set to be the best yet.  For the first time in the event’s history, delegates will gather in an all-inclusive resort for the ultimate in ease and convenience.  With the stage set, opportunities that focus on innovation, the changing dynamics of customer expectations and what the future holds, will be explored and debated.  As a world leading provider of travel insurance and assistance services, we look forward to meeting our travel industry colleagues and discussing these and other interesting topics.  This is an exciting year to be a headline sponsor and we relish the prospect of being part of such a dynamic meeting of thought leading professionals.”

Managing Director of Cosmos, Hugh Morgan, commented: “With the incredible growth of tourism to Turkey from the UK market in the last 10 years, we have expanded our programme significantly and strengthened our links with our Turkish industry partners. We are therefore delighted to play such a key part in this year’s Travel Convention in Belek as we underline our commitment to our trade partners both in Turkey and the UK. In these economically challenging times with an increasing number of issues facing our industry, it is even more important to come together to exchange and debate ideas and solutions.  The ABTA convention is the perfect forum for this.”

Nathan Philpot, Sales and Marketing Director said: “Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is delighted to be a headline sponsor of the Travel Convention – one of the most important events in the travel trade calendar – for the eighth year in a row! Building strong relationships and working closely with the travel trade continues to be of great importance to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, and The Travel Convention is a great opportunity for us to meet our key agents and tour operators, updating them on the latest developments in our company. With over 90% of our cruises booked via the travel trade, agents’ feedback is invaluable in influencing and developing our future working relationships.”