ITB Asia 2019 keynote sessions to focus on innovation and evolving opportunities

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

ITB Asia scheduled between 16-18 October will hold keynote sessions to explore the practical applications for businesses to keep pace with technological developments in the travel industry and also highlight the evolving opportunities presented by the new Chinese traveller.

This year’s conference theme is ‘Bold Thoughts, Bold Moves’ and the show will recognize the revolutionary impact of technology on the travel industry. Speakers from leading online travel agencies (OTA), travel-related partners and technology companies will be sharing their perspectives on how businesses can innovate and leverage on technology while tackling the challenges of this era.

Senior representatives from Bedbank, Hotelbeds Group, Booking.com, Expedia, IBM, KAYAK, OYO Hotels & Homes, TripAdvisor, Tujia and more will be among the prominent keynoters.

Katrina Leung, Managing Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), the organiser of ITB Asia said that by bringing together leading industry experts in the keynote sessions, ITB Asia will get to the heart of today’s complex travel issues. They will discuss major game-changing issues within the industry and strategies on innovating business models in order to remain competitive. As the industry continues to evolve, attendees want to gain more than just insights of what leading businesses do to remain at the top. Through their sessions, they will be equipped with actionable steps on how to drive their business forward.

Experts from Bedbank, Hotelbeds Group, Booking.com and IBM which are the three biggest pillars in the travel industry- accommodation, distribution and technology there will be the first keynote session on October 16.

The sessions will address the industry’s common challenges and topics will include how businesses can ready themselves for the next wave of growth, rethinking and reinventing distribution strategies and how travel industry will be able to capitalize on the digital revolution to succeed.

Angel Llull Mancas, Vice President and Managing Director for Asia-Pacific for Booking.com said that technology plays a critical role at every phase of a personalised traveller journey, helping to deliver a seamless, connected trip by enabling localisation and consumer insights. Constant innovation in how they optimise the customer experience will be key to continued growth and expansion in the highly competitive and diverse Asian Market.

On day two of ITB Asia 2019 a keynote panel on ‘ The Future of Travel Distribution’ will identify business solutions for challenges faced by the sector during the time of uncertainty.

Senior executive from Agoda, Expedia Group, Hotelbeds, KAYAK and TripAdvisor will lead the discussion.

They will be exploring the rapidly changing travel industry, new technological advancements and implement diverse distribution strategies to improve the customer experience.

Demi Kavaratzis, Partner Marketing Director, Commercial Strategy and Services, Expedia Group said that before deciding on a flight people make up to 50 searches and shopping around for value is the norm for many global leisure and business travellers.The core of their technology development is to make it simpler to compare fares, understand inclusions and recognise value adds delivering in a unique way. They are working towards a more personalized experience for travellers and a more integrated and seamless supply-distribution relationship ahead.

On October 18 the keynote panel will focus on the new Chinese traveller whose overseas consumption is predicted t grow as large as $120 billion as preferences evolve.
‘ The New Chinese Travllers’ industry leaders will examine the growing significance of the market. Booking.com, OYO Hotels & Homes, Thomas Cook China and Tujia will be analaysing he preference shift in the range of destinations, products and brands of interest and maximize the opportunities from this market.

There will also be themed session including Corporate Travel Destination Marketing, Muslin Travel and Travel Technology. There will be more than 200 sessions led by more than 260 speakers.

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