WTM London will address the big technological questions
London’s World Travel Market launches its first Tech Summit, including over 10 sessions with high-profile speakers from Amadeus, Trip.com Group, TUI, Sabre, Hotelbeds and more.
WTM London’s Travel Technology Conference Track will take place over the three days of the show and will uncover the most important issues facing the sector: the ethics of AI, smart tourism and virtual reality.
Launching on Tuesday afternoon on the Elevate stage, WTM welcomes keynote speaker Bon Sian Chai, Managing Director and Vice President of International Markets at Trip.com, who will discuss Reimagining the Future of Technology. travel and hospitality. with Technology (Tuesday, November 7, 2:30 p.m.).
As artificial intelligence increases its impact on the travel and tourism ecosystem, Pieter Jordaan, Group Chief Information Officer, TUI; Andrew Owen Jones, MD, SMARTSEER; and Frank Trampert, senior vice president, global general manager of community sales at Saber Hospitality, discover where AI already has influence and the potential for future applications within AI: Boundless Opportunities for Change in Travel session (Tuesday, November 7, 15: 05), moderated by Kate Harden-England, editor, Travolution.
The afternoon continues with a deep dive into the theory and practice of virtual reality: tradition meets technology: elevating the travel experience with virtual reality and augmented reality (Tuesday, November 7, 3:55 p.m.).
This is followed by Solving the Unsolvable (Tuesday 7 November, 4.25pm), which explores the touchpoints and processes in travel that are next in line for technology-driven reinvention.
Elsewhere, on Monday 6 November at 2:40pm, attendees will be able to hear about Guardrails for AI and Unintended Consequences on the Discover Stage, in partnership with the Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council. Sam Altman, co-producer of Innovations of the World and innovation officer for the US Army Reserve, will discuss the responsibility of using AI in travel and tourism.
Another session, Harnessing Technology: Building Cities for SMART Tourism, presented in partnership with the World Tourist Cities Foundation, will look at the role of technology in enabling cities to develop a tourism industry without affecting the quality of their inhabitants (Monday 6 November, 3:30 p.m. The technology track continues its momentum until Wednesday, November 8, with two sessions on the Innovate stage in partnership with Genesys Digital Transformation.
Building a seamless journey for the technology-enabled traveler (13:40) will feature Muzzammil Ahussain, CEO of Saudi Arabia’s largest travel company, Almosafer; digital strategist Danny Cohanpour, CEO of Trove Tourism Development Advisors; and Stephanie Waismann, Product Manager at Hotelbeds.
This is followed by a look at how apps and websites are evolving to remain relevant in a multi-channel landscape with the session Technologies Redefine Engagement: Purchasing Power Is in the Palm of Your Customers’ Hands (14:10) .
WTM Start-Up Launch Battle
Meanwhile, as part of its continued commitment to the travel startup community, WTM will host its second WTM Start-Up Pitch Battle on Monday, November 6 at 1:20 p.m., also on the Discover stage, with support from Amadeus.
The prize is a free exhibition stand at WTM London 2024 and exposure to WTM’s extensive network, including all PR opportunities at the show and an interview with the winner. Amadeus will also offer 6 hours of one-on-one mentoring with its executive leaders. To submit your proposal, apply using this link: WTM Startup Pitch Battle Application (smartsheet.com) . The submission deadline is Wednesday, October 25.
Brooke Gilbertson, director of international conferences at WTM London, said:
“Today, technology underpins much of the world and is a key pillar for the travel sector. “This year, we reflect the prevalence of technology by launching the Tech Summit on our main stage for the first time and weaving the fundamentals of technology throughout the three days of the show.”
