ITT reveals speakers for conference

The impact of a new government on the travel industry will be high on the agenda at the Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) 2010 Conference.

Peter Riddell, political commentator at The Times, will give delegates his view on the newly-elected government and provide his insight into the potential impact on the travel industry.

The conference will take place on June 7-9 in Benidorm, just a month after the widely-mooted election date of May 6.

Riddell has been a leading political commentator and an assistant editor at The Times since 1991. He writes about British politics and has published several books on the subject including two about Margaret Thatcher.

The conference moderator will be Tim Hames, current special adviser to the speaker of the House of Commons and a former Times columnist.

ITT chairman Steven Freudmann said: “The election will still be fresh in our minds and the new government of whatever persuasion will be in place. Riddell will tell us what we are in for over the coming months.”

Riddell joins a list of  prestigious speakers lined up for the event, including Thomas Cook chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa, and Digby Jones, former director-general of the CBI. Other speakers include Bob Stewart, the 2008 business speaker of the year and a former United Nations commander who will talk about leadership and motivation, and TV comedian and executive coach Ruby Wax.

Freudmann added: “We recognised that Dubai last year was a relatively expensive destination and that in the present economic climate it was reasonable we chose a destination that is accessible, cost-effective and important to members.”

TWgroup is the official media partner of the ITT Conference 2010.