West Country Tourism Conference welcomes global tourism industry leaders in England

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

The West Country Tourism Conference returns to Westpoint Exeter, England, coinciding with the Source Trade Show on February 6 and 7, 2024. This tourism conference, renowned for its comprehensive coverage of the tourism and hospitality sector, promises two extended mornings filled with engaging presentations on the latest trends, updates, and insights. Designed to cater to a broad spectrum of businesses within the industry, the conference offers a unique opportunity for professionals to gather, learn, and share ideas.

Day One: Focus on Tourism Priorities, Excellence, Accessibility, and Sustainability

The first day of the tourism conference is dedicated to exploring tourism priorities, with an emphasis on excellence, accessibility, and sustainability. Highlights include Amanda Winwood from Made for Life Organics discussing the future of wellness tourism, and Rosie Radwell, MD of Marsham Court Hotel, sharing insights on becoming England’s first ‘Changing Places’ hotel. Lyndsey Turner-Swift of VisitEngland will address national priorities for the upcoming year, while Alistair Handyside, Chair of the Professional Association of Self-Caterers (PASC), will talk about the anticipated changes in 2024.

Other notable speakers in this tourism conference include Richard Toomer from The Tourism Alliance, Andy Banner-Price of The 25 B&B, Kris Hall and Mica Maurtua from The Burnt Chef Project, Tom Ross of The PIG Hotels, and Andy McNulty of Touch Stay, each bringing their unique perspectives on the industry’s evolving landscape.

Day Two: Marketing, Social Media, PR, and AI

The tourism conference’s second day shifts focus to marketing, social media, PR, and the impact of AI in the tourism sector. Alastair Banks of Optix Solutions will delve into AI’s role in marketing, while Kate Doodson from Cosmic will outline what’s new for tourism in 2024. Discussions will also cover the creation of a tourism data hub by Amanda Lumley, CEO of Destination Plymouth, and travel booking trends by Wendy Harris of Anytime Booking.

The industry experts in tourism conference like Verity Slater and Mark Worden will discuss the journey to B Corp certification and strategies for encouraging repeat bookings, respectively. The day in tourism conference will also feature talks on digital connectivity, sustainable marketing, and managing risks associated with cybercrime and AI, providing attendees with a holistic view of the current and future state of tourism marketing.

The West Country Tourism Conference is an essential platform for professionals eager to stay ahead in the dynamic field of tourism and hospitality, offering unparalleled access to knowledge, trends, and networking opportunities.

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