World Travel Market Seminars to Address Airline Issues

The 2008 World Travel Market Airline Program will explore the airline issues in a series of seminar sessions. Positioned in the context of the turbulent environment currently affecting the sector, the discussions will cover a range of subjects including market position, rising fuel costs, future strategy and the environment.

Chaired by senior industry consultant John Strickland, the program begins with airline CEOs examining the new long-haul, low-cost business model on Nov. 11. Based around the current difficult market conditions, is the long-haul low-cost model sustainable?

Bringing the airline debate to the WTM World Responsible Tourism Day agenda on Nov. 12, Strickland will chair a targeted seminar on the airlines’ impact on the environment. As one of the main targets in the carbon emissions dispute, the seminar will look at what the airline industry is doing to improve its own performance.

Rounding out the sector’s program, the airline debate will play an important role in Nov. 13’s WTM Global Economic Forum where Strickland will represent the industry.

Bringing together the impact of the global credit crunch on air travel with the effects on trading volumes, the outlook for long term growth-assessment, changing trends, industry consolidation and the role of government in air transport he will discuss how these issues tie into the overall effects on travel and tourism, as airline travel is one of the major modes of transportation for holidaymakers.