EasyJet holidays chief executive Garry Wilson will join the growing list of speakers at Abta’s Travel Convention in Bodrum, Turkey, in October with those wishing to attend still able to register at the ‘early bird’ rate.
However, the discount will end on Monday July 17 so there are only a few days to take advantage.
Abta is due to confirm easyJet holidays chief Wilson as a speaker today, joining a programme which already includes journalist and best-selling author Oliver Burkeman, and Wired magazine senior innovation editor Jeremy White who will examine the likely impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI).
They will join PwC partner and head of travel and leisure Rick Jones and fellow PwC Strategy partner Eleanor Scott who will look at the outlook for the UK economy and household finances and the implications for travel.
More: PwC experts to offer inflation insights at Travel Convention
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer warned: “The squeeze on consumers is going to impact [travel] volumes at some level over the next 12 months.”
He told Travel Weekly: “There are still companies with a lot of debt from Covid, and interest rates don’t seem to be coming down anytime soon, [although] just putting up interest rates is a blunt tool to deal with inflation.”
Tanzer argued: “We’re going to have to deal with the macroeconomic factors and the debt.”
He added: “Energy security is a permanent issue. Energy is a very high cost for our economy and as long as there is a war in Ukraine and a fear of destabilisation in energy supplies, we’re going to have high energy costs.
“We’re also a big importer of food and that goes into the household basket as well.”
“Plus, we have fewer people in the workplace. The number of people of working age not working now is over three million.
“Every year we have fewer people to support the aging population and a smaller base of younger people who have high debts. So, how do the demographics and economics work out?”
The Travel Convention, October 30 – November 1, Bodrum
The early bird registration rate is available until Monday July 17.
Full details: thetravelconvention.com
More: PwC experts to offer inflation insights at Travel Convention