Bookings for the ABTA Travel Convention are ahead of last year with 520 people registered to attend.
The event, which will take place in Barcelona between October 6 to 8 is expected to attract 1,000 delegates – a quarter of which are expected to be agents. Sponsors and operators have already agreed to host 142 agent delegates to attend the event.
This year, it is hoping to appeal more to agents by running two additional conferences alongside the main sessions, focusing on the luxury and cruise markets.
The luxury travel forum will look at the future of the luxury market, as well as how agents can harness new opportunities in the sector.
The cruise forum, which is being organised with the help of the Association of Cruise Experts, will be focused on how agents can work to increase business. It will be held at the port of Barcelona on board Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas.
Speakers confirmed already include Lord Norman Lamont, who was the chancellor during the last recession. He will give delegates his view on the current recession, and likely pitfalls and challenges for Prime Minister Gordon Brown. TUI Travel chief executive Peter Long will talk about his view of the industry in the future, while Carnival Corporation chairman and chief executive Micky Arison will discuss the short- and long-term prospects for cruising in the UK and globally.
ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said the industry is keen to meet and discuss industry issues, especially during the current economic climate.
Tanzer said: “Last year demonstrated the appetite the industry has for getting together.”
The decision to choose Barcelona was based on a number of criteria, including affordability, accessibility and the quality of the convention centre.
All the hotels are situated within a short walking distance from the conference centre. Delegates will also have the opportunity to take a range of free excursions to visit the city.
For pictures of the hotels for the convention go to www.travelweekly.co.uk/travelhub.