Cordoba in Spain has been announced as the location for the Association of Independent Tour Operators’ conference in June this year.
It is the first joint conference in three years for Aito members and travel agent members of Aito Specialist Travel Agents. The last joint conference was in Madeira in Portugal in 2012.
The conference, the first to be held in Cordoba, will take place from June 11-14 and aims to improve links between the operator and agent members of Aito.
Aito chairman Derek Moore said: “Cordoba is an unspoilt gem of a city, often overlooked, with an historic past steeped in the lore of Arabia but just a couple of hours’ flying time from the UK. We wanted somewhere with a lot to offer but not as well-known as its near neighbours. It is Spain’s best-kept secret.”
He added: “This will be the first joint conference for three years. We quizzed all Aito members as to whether they would prefer a combined tour operator and travel agent overseas conference and the majority replied ‘yes’.”
Aito Agents chairman Gemma Antrobus added: “Most of the conference will be situated in the old town, which will not only add an element of extra interest but will also aid all delegates in terms of networking during the conference.”
The conference will be sponsored by the Spanish Tourist Board in London, the Cordoba Tourist Board and the Andalucía Tourist Board. It will include a mix of big-name speakers from inside and outside the industry, who have yet to be announced.
There will be joint and separate business sessions to cater for each audience, with subjects including the retail travel trade environment, business management and entrepreneurs.
Business sessions will be held in the newly extended and refurbished Palacio de Congresos de Cordoba in the old town. Accommodation will be at the Hotel Eurostars Palace, NH Collection Amistad and Hotel Las Casas de la Juderia.