The top-rated speaker at last year’s Abta Travel Convention has been invited to return to give his views on the economic outlook this year.
Justin Urquhart-Stewart, founder of seven investment management, will offer his expert insight and bring his trademark red braces to the main stage.
This year’s convention is taking place in Costa Navarino, Greece, on October 12-14 when 500 UK travel executive will gather for the annual overseas event.
Last year Urquhart-Stewart gave an upbeat assessment of the UK economy but said that wealth inequalities and a nervousness of firms to invest was holding things back.
Abta said this year Urquhart-Stewart will give his views on the economic weather forecast and the forces that are driving market expectations and consumer behavior.
He will also look at the implications of risks emanating from the continuing problems in the Eurozone and the escalation of geopolitical unrest.
Other issues he will discuss are the advantages for travel of lower oil prices as well falling unemployment and wage growth.
With a new government due to be installed after the May 7 general election, which remains too close to predict, Urquhart-Stewart will assess the impact on business, consumers and travel.
Abta has announced the theme of this year’s conference is ‘Risk and Resilience’ and will look at how travel firms can benefit from increased globalisation, but what the risks are also.
It has revealed Oxford University’s Professor Ian Goldin director of Oxford Martin School at Oxford University and a former vice president of the World Bank will give a keynote address.
He has recently co-authored a book, The Butterfly Defect, which looks at the benefits of a hyperconnected world and the repercussions of cross-border financial meltdowns and environmental disasters.