| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 23/10/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 4 |
| Copyright: Other |
Top speakers to debate latest industry issues
Travel Weekly will be out in force at next week’s ABTA convention in Kos from October 27-30. John Lavabre looks at some of the events we will be supporting
FIRST Choice chief executive Peter Long will be discussing the future of his company and the growing consolidation in the industry at the ABTA convention in Kos.
Long is guest of honour at Eastcastle’s seventh annual travel industry lunch, to be held on the Monday of the convention.
In a wide-ranging interview, Long will also discuss whether operators are in control of their own destiny, with the four major players competing with each other in the market.
Travel Weekly editor Jeremy Skidmore said: “Peter Long is one of the most respected operators in the business and I’m looking forward to putting him under the spotlight.
“He has strong opinions and doesn’t shirk issues,” he added. The invitation-only event is sponsored by Travel Weekly and Holiday Autos.
Meanwhile, Travel Weekly is also involved in the breakout session on Saturday, entitled 10 Ways to Improve Your Business.
Skidmore will chair a session with service-fee expert Nolan Burris, and PricewaterhouseCoopers senior manager Mark Bedlow. Burris famously suggested agents should walk their clients’ dogs to justify service fees and the two will discuss what changes agents need to make to improve their bottom line.
The session is in conference room one on the ground floor of the convention centre.
In discussion: speaking out, from left are Peter Long, First Choice and service-fee expert Nolan Burris