Technology programme forecasts future industry developments including exclusive research into the role of the mobile phone

World Travel Market, the premier global event for the travel industry, will predict future technological developments in the travel and tourism sector as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations.

Since WTM launched in 1980 the travel industry has been overhauled from brochure-based package holidays sold on the high street to dynamically packaged breaks researched through social networking sites and booked on the web.

WTM�s technology programme will explore potential technological developments of the next 30 years, looking particularly at the booking process, marketing, CRM and the holidaymakers� in-resort experience.

On the Thursday (12 November) the Travel Technology @ WTM Seminar Programme, in association with Genesys Travel Technology Consultancy, will explore the future of travel technology with a high calibre panel of speakers, including;

� Cheapflights Executive Chariman and private equity group HOWZAT Media Founder Hugo Burge

� Expedia Europe Vice President of Product Strategy Graham Cook

� Multilingual search engine marketing company Oban Multilingual Director Grieg Haolbrook

Genesys Senior Partner Paul Richer said: �We all recognise that travel is a technology-driven industry. From 1980, when the inaugural World Travel Market was held, technology has developed beyond recognition. In 30 years time, our industry will still embrace the latest technology, probably in a new era of bio-technology with mobile devices inside us, coupled to our nervous system and powered by body heat. What that might mean for travel we can only speculate.�

Furthermore, EyeforTravel will use its two-day WTM conference (Wednesday 11 and Thursday 12 November) to focus on the increased role the mobile phone will play over the next 30 years of travel technology.

EyeforTravel research shows 74% of the travel industry believes the mobile is vital for online travel distribution and the key to success of any travel business in the future. While 73% state mobiles will change the way the industry will communicate with their customers.

At WTM, EyeforTravel will reveal new global consumer research on the future role of the mobile in the travel industry.

The research is supported by a panel session entitled �What Next For Mobile? The Next 30 Years � Where is the Mobile Heading?�.

EyeforTravel Head of Research Amy Scarth said: �Mobile technology strategies present an exciting new dimension to the industry and those that get it right will undoubtedly grab market share and a competitive advantage.

�Mobile technology is becoming part of mainstream with what is available to travellers on their laptops becoming evermore available on the mobile, which is why mobile developments will have a huge impact on marketing, payment and CRM functions. Consequently mobile strategies will be focusing on sales and marketing and this will affect the entire buying cycle.�

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About World Travel Market

World Travel Market, the premier global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend four-day business-to-business exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry.

Almost 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international press, embark on London�s ExCeL Centre every November to network, negotiate and discover the latest industry opinion and trends at WTM.

WTM, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2009, is the event where the travel industry conducts and concludes its deals.

WTM is owned by the world�s leading events organiser Reed Exhibitions (RE), which organises a portfolio of other travel industry events including Arabian Travel Market and International Luxury Travel Market.

RE holds more than 500 events in 38 countries throughout Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific covering 47 industry sectors including aerospace & aviation, healthcare, manufacturing and sport & recreation.

In 2008 RE, part of the Reed Elsevier group, brought together more than six million industry professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business.

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Paul Nelson

Press & PR Manager World Travel Market Tel: 020 8910 7032 Mob: 07919555510 Email: paul.nelson@reedexpo.co.uk Fax: 020 8334 4892