2026 NEWS
2026 NEWS
ITT Board Nominations are now open!
The nine ITT Board positions that are open for nominations in 2026 are as follows:
- Cruise - 1 place
- Education & Training - 1 place
- General - 2 places
- Travel Agent - 1 place
- Tour Operator - 1 place
- Tourist Board - 1 place
- Transportation - 2 places
If you wish to be considered for nomination, download and complete the Board of Directors Nomination Form and Election Template by 10 April 2026.
#ITT2026: Ken Campling
We’re delighted to welcome Ken Campling, Group Finance Director at Hays Travel, to the ITT Conference as part of our brand-new Start ITT Up panel – an exciting addition to this year’s programme (more details coming soon!).
With senior leadership experience across multiple sectors, Ken has driven significant growth since joining Hays Travel in 2021, leading major acquisitions including Just Go Limited, The Original Travel House Limited and Miles Away Limited (Miles Morgan Travel), while strengthening the franchise network.
Haven’t secured your place at the ITT Conference yet? Now’s the time! Early bird rate ends Friday 27 February.
#ITT2026: Ken Campling
We’re delighted to welcome Ken Campling, Group Finance Director at Hays Travel, to the ITT Conference as part of our brand-new Start ITT Up panel – an exciting addition to this year’s programme (more details coming soon!).
With senior leadership experience across multiple sectors, Ken has driven significant growth since joining Hays Travel in 2021, leading major acquisitions including Just Go Limited, The Original Travel House Limited and Miles Away Limited (Miles Morgan Travel), while strengthening the franchise network.
Haven’t secured your place at the ITT Conference yet? Now’s the time! Early bird rate ends Friday 27 February.
#ITT2026: Ken Hughes
By popular demand, after an amazing session last year in Sardinia, we are thrilled to welcome back Ken Hughes to the ITT Conference speaker line-up!
Known globally as The King of Customer Experience, Ken is a leading authority on consumer behaviour and the future of customer connection. With over 20 years advising some of the world’s biggest brands, he brings together behavioural science, digital anthropology and real-world insight to challenge how businesses think about innovation and change.
Fast-paced, provocative and impossible to ignore, Ken’s sessions cut straight to the heart of disruption, AI and what today’s customers really expect. Expect bold ideas, plenty of energy and takeaways that will genuinely change how you think. This is one return you won’t want to miss.
#ITT2026: Lesley Rollo
Lesley is a highly respected commercial leader and CEO of dnata Travel UK, promoted to the role in 2024 after leading a strategic review of the group’s tour operator and OTA portfolio. She oversees Travelbag and The Gold Medal Travel Group, and represents dnata on the Imagine Cruising Executive Board.
Joining dnata in 2019 as Managing Director of Travelbag, Lesley led a full rebrand and strategic transformation of the business. She brings an extensive industry network, over 12 years’ experience within the TUI Specialist Division (now Travelopia under KKR), and began her career in Product and Purchasing with senior roles at Airtours, British Airways and Thomas Cook.
#ITT2026: Lesley Rollo
Lesley is a highly respected commercial leader and CEO of dnata Travel UK, promoted to the role in 2024 after leading a strategic review of the group’s tour operator and OTA portfolio. She oversees Travelbag and The Gold Medal Travel Group, and represents dnata on the Imagine Cruising Executive Board.
Joining dnata in 2019 as Managing Director of Travelbag, Lesley led a full rebrand and strategic transformation of the business. She brings an extensive industry network, over 12 years’ experience within the TUI Specialist Division (now Travelopia under KKR), and began her career in Product and Purchasing with senior roles at Airtours, British Airways and Thomas Cook.
Celebrating 70 Years
For the last 70 years, the Institute of Travel & Tourism has worked on behalf of its Members to develop and maintain high professional standards across the industry.
Steven Freudmann, Chair, said "I am so proud of the fact that, this year, the Institute will be celebrating its 70th anniversary. ITT is a not-for-profit Institute, owned by its members and run by a Board of directors who give up their time voluntarily, which makes reaching our 70th anniversary quite extraordinary. Equally noteworthy is the fact that membership continues to grow year on year, with a 15% increase in 2025. So thank you all for your loyalty and support and here’s to the next 70 years!"
We look forward to a 70 Years celebration on Tuesday 17 November. To make it possible for ITT to stage this special event, we are seeking sponsors. If you would like to support ITT and join in the celebration, please contact events@itt.co.uk.
#ITT2026: Rob Shapland
As Director of Cyonic Cyber, Rob Shapland is a renowned ethical hacker and cyber security expert who has spent his life breaking into companies worldwide to help them protect against criminal attacks.
He specialises in physical intrusion, breaking into company offices by dressing up as a cleaner, a fake employee or even as a Hollywood film producer and then stealing a computer from right under their nose.
This session is kindly being sponsored by Planet Technology.
#ITT2026: Rob Shapland
As Director of Cyonic Cyber, Rob Shapland is a renowned ethical hacker and cyber security expert who has spent his life breaking into companies worldwide to help them protect against criminal attacks.
He specialises in physical intrusion, breaking into company offices by dressing up as a cleaner, a fake employee or even as a Hollywood film producer and then stealing a computer from right under their nose.
This session is kindly being sponsored by Planet Technology.
#ITT2026: Jacqueline Dobson
Taking to the ITT Conference stage, a driving force behind one of the UK’s most successful travel groups. Jacqueline is President of The Vacation Group, the leisure division of Internova Travel Group, and one of the travel industry’s most influential leaders.
Known for her strategic vision, commercial strength, and outspoken advocacy for the sector, Jacqueline has successfully steered the business through major growth phases and industry-wide challenges.
#ITT2026: Bruce Poon Tip
We are thrilled to welcome Bruce Poon Tip back to the ITT Conference this year in Malaga, following his impactful appearance in Qatar in 2023.
As the Founder of G Adventures, the world’s largest small-group adventure travel company, Bruce is a true pioneer of community tourism and a global leader in social entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation.
#ITT2026: Bruce Poon Tip
We are thrilled to welcome Bruce Poon Tip back to the ITT Conference this year in Malaga, following his impactful appearance in Qatar in 2023.
As the Founder of G Adventures, the world’s largest small-group adventure travel company, Bruce is a true pioneer of community tourism and a global leader in social entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation.
#ITT2026: Frank Marini
Save the Date 2026!
Don’t miss out on our exciting line-up of events this year, including Network ITT, Debate ITT, Leadership Dinners, Future You on the Roads, the ITT Conference, and many more.
Mark your calendars now and stay ahead of the curve! To view the full list of events and to fine out more, click here.
Save the Date 2026!
Don’t miss out on our exciting line-up of events this year, including Network ITT, Debate ITT, Leadership Dinners, Future You on the Roads, the ITT Conference, and many more.
Mark your calendars now and stay ahead of the curve! To view the full list of events and to fine out more, click here.
Steven's Greetings!
2025 was another very successful year for your Institute. Membership increased by almost 20% and all our events continued to be well supported.
We had a wonderful Conference in Sardinia, with a new moderator, Baroness Ayesha Hazarika, and some unforgettable speakers. Once again, we raised funds for Alder Hey Children’s Charity.
Our Future You programme continued to develop with over 250 students attending our Roadshow at Leeds Beckett University. We also launched our Speakers for Schools programme aimed at sixth formers.
We were very grateful to Doug and Ruth Wardle for their wonderfully generous bursary which will enable student members of ITT to attend our overseas Conference.
This year we introduced our new networking event, Debate ITT, with over 150 Members attending our first three events. We also held Network ITT events in Manchester and Birmingham. As always, the ITT Lounge at WTM proved enormously popular.
Next year is a particularly special year as ITT celebrates its 70th anniversary! We will be marking this milestone with a special 70th anniversary celebration. Look out for further details coming soon.
Our Conference in Malaga looks like breaking all records, with registrations already surpassing our expectations. The speaker line-up will include representatives from Hays Travel, Barrhead Travel, TUI, Railbookers, Gold Medal, G Adventures, Saudi Tourism, and MSC Cruises.
Thank you for your continued support.
I wish you all a very happy festive season and a Happy New Year.
Dr Steven Freudmann F.Inst.T.T.
Chair ITT