The Caribbean hotel and tourism industry needs to strengthen its ties with buyers while nurturing new business relationships with other tourist markets.

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?

Once again in January, companies and destinations within the tourist industry have chosen to attend the International Tourism Trade Fair, FITUR, which will stage its twenty-ninth edition organized by IFEMA, between January 28 and February 1, 2009. This much is confirmed by the space adjudication figures, which, with still four months to go before the fair itself takes place, show that 80 percent of the total space available has already been filled.

The inaugural World Religious Travel Expo and Educational Conference has sold out all exhibit space, so organizers have added 25 more booths to an expanded exhibit hall. Last-minute exhibitors will be allowed to purchase booth space through the Oct. 1 deadline.

World Travel Market has again agreed to be an official partner of the British Travel Awards. Previously held on the night of the last Thursday of WTM, the awards ceremony will be staged a week earlier this year on November 6.

With the frantic pace of change that is happening in online travel, businesses face an uphill struggle to keep pace with so many new digital developments appearing on the scene. This year World Travel Market has attracted more travel technology exhibitors than ever and is producing the most comprehensive program of conferences and seminars to help businesses get to grips with the latest from the digital world.