DATE: 9-11 June 2008
VENUE: Aphrodite Hills Resort

Conference Delegate List

Click here for information about the speakers and business sessions.

Click here for information about the networking, social events and excursions.

Click here for information about the Aphrodite Hills Resort Hotel.

Click here for information about Cyprus

Click here to view photographs from the Conference.

Click here for the Travel Weekly Conference Blog.

It’s difficult to sum up an event like the ITT Conference, but as it has to be done, here’s the verdict: perfect weather, a terrific resort and great social events, combined with fascinating business sessions providing lots of food for thought!

Business Sessions

Moderator Tim Hames is now a firm favourite with ITT. Under his tutelage, the sessions ran like clockwork and were interspersed with his familiar wit and wisdom – not to mention a blonde wig!

The keynote speaker, Sir Ken Robinson, ended the business sessions with a funny, touching and thought-provoking talk on creativity in the workplace. With the kind of charm and wit which makes name-dropping forgivable, his main assertion was that companies ignore the creativity of their workforces at their peril. He thinks we’re still in the educational mindset of the Industrial Revolution, something that’s had detrimental effects on once successful companies struggling to keep up with technological and social changes in the 21st century. His message was that if they want to thrive, organisations need to create cultures where creativity is valued and nurtured.

Politics was, as usual, on the agenda, with The Rt.Hon. John Prescott MP who was guest speaker for the ever popular Off The Record session. His account of the time he took Tony Blair’s advice to ‘connect with the electorate’ a bit too literally brought the house down (and yes, it was the one involving eggs and right hooks). He also used the way Sky News reported the incident as a good illustration of how easily the media can twist facts to make a better story.

Business sessions usually have serious points to make, but in a break from convention, author Ben Schott simply entertained delegates with travel miscellanies. Did you know, for instance, that the current batch of teenagers didn’t invent the art of the downsized message (or ‘txt tlk’ as they might say), rather, it was the cruise companies of old using their own shorthand when communicating passenger requirements in order to save money on telegraph messages. We also learnt that giant waterbugs taste like gorgonzola, that the US government’s advice on seeing a bear is to get away without it spotting you, and that you shouldn’t wave if you’re drowning lest people think you’re waving.

Ian McCaig, Group CEO of lastminute.com was grilled by TW’s Simon Ferguson in the Face To Face session. In a session filled with good natured banter, Ian gave his take on the future of travel websites – which will include leisure interests as well as holidays – but very politely refused Simon’s request to talk about his profit and loss accounts.

Industry speakers covered a wide range of subjects, including a challenge to the charter airlines and tour operators to become more pro-active in route development; the challenges facing airport operators; the potential costs of corporate manslaughter; the past, present and future of cruising and the future of Europe’s high speed rail links. Also covered was the power of radio advertising, with tips on how to get your name out there without necessarily going to the trouble and expense of making a traditional ad.

Red faces were the order of the day at the close of business. As Tim Hames said, the ITT Board of Directors had been caught ‘Queen’ing around by positively murdering ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ in a mickey take of the Cadbury’s ad. An unedifying but hilarious way to say goodbye!

Networking Events

The finale of the Gala Dinner saw Times Media’s Matt Sumner going west with the man robbed of glory on the X Factor, Rhydian Roberts. Rhydian provided the (hopefully) surprise entertainment after the formal dinner which had been held under the stars in the ruins of Kouklia Castle. The setting provided an unusual but appropriately atmospheric backdrop for Rhydian’s operatic style and especially for his signature song, Phantom of the Opera.

Trevor Harding did an excellent job as auctioneer for the Just A Drop charity auction. The total amount collected from the auction and donations raised over £25,000! Once again, a massively generous contribution – and a big thank you to all those who donated cash and prizes.

On the golf course, there was cause for celebration when a hole in one was scored on the 12th – the second ITT Conference in a row where this has happened. The lucky (or stunningly accurate) golfer was Terry Williamson from School Travel Group. The overall winner of the Tournament was Neil Herbert of Travel Buddy; and the Ladies Winner was Helen Barlow of BUPA Travel Services.

Watery chaos reigned at the Hotel Pool with the AA Appointments Water Volleyball Challenge. Six teams fought bravely for the glory of being crowned victors, and the final honours went to the team which is probably best left unnamed, led by Tony Seaman of Attraction World.

For people preferring a more relaxing afternoon there were daily yoga sessions. Given the momentum of the Conference, it’s perhaps unsurprising that the sessions were all fully booked!

The Welcome and Farewell parties were both hosted by the Aphrodite Hills Resort and Cyprus Tourism Organisation. Both were held in the grounds of the resort which gave them a relaxed and casual feel. The Welcome Party was strictly Cypriot, with local food and music, whereas the Farewell Party offered different food from around the world, along with dancing and music and fireworks. A wonderful way to end the Conference!

Programme of Events

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