Top Airline Executive To Address Caribbean Delegates At Caribbean Tourism Organization’s European Marketing Forum

LONDON, UK – The top executive of the UK’s largest carrier will share his perspective on several travel related matters with Caribbean delegates in London for World Travel Market (WTM).

The chief executive officer of British Airways, Willie Walsh will speak on a wide range of issues – including the state of the global travel industry, BA’s financial health, how the Caribbean is performing and the much discussed controversial government tax, the Air Passenger Duty (APD).- at the pre-WTM European Marketing Forum organised by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO).

Mr. Walsh’s contribution to the event will be in the form of a recorded interview. However, the airline’s corporate sales manager, Simon Brooks, will be on hand to take delegates’ questions.

“As a leading carrier to the Caribbean from the UK, British Airways is important to the region’s tourism sector,” said Carol Hay, the CTO’s director of marketing for the UK/Europe. “As a result, Caribbean delegates are eager to hear Mr. Walsh’s views some of the issues that are of concern to us.”

This year’s Forum, which has as its theme, The Changing Market Environment – After the crunch. What Next? will hear from leading industry experts who will review the current economic climate and its impact on the travel industry, with particular reference to the UK and European long haul markets. Among the presenters are Sarah Smalley from the top research company GFK Ascent and Simon Ferguson, chief executive of the leading travel trade media group, Travel Weekly Group. Ms. Smalley will tell delegates what British consumers are really booking, while Mr. Ferguson will reveal who the movers and shakers are and what the big players and the niche travel companies are now doing and saying, among other subjects.

The European Marketing Forum provides a medium for industry debate at the most senior level on topics that are relevant to the Caribbean’s tourism industry.

This year’s forum, which is attended by Ministers and Directors of Tourism and representatives of every sector of the industry, will be held on 8 November at Glaziers Hall in London Bridge.