WTM Travel Perspective sessions 2014
THURSDAY

November 6 UPDATE: Read our report from all the sessions today

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By Steve Keenan and Mark Frary

Event hashtag #WTMTP14, show hashtag #WTM14

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 6 SESSIONS

Location: German National Tourist Board stand (EM740)

The conference opens at 10am. Registration not required for the seminars but do turn up early to bag a seat as sessions are certain to be packed out. You will need to register to attend World Travel Market to get in.



10.00-10.30am
KEYNOTE: Chasing five stars: why reviews are vital

  • Matt Eames, sales director, FeeFo.
    Moderator: Steve Keenan

FeeFo provides independent reviews on traveller’s trips for OTAs including Expedia and Laterooms.com. With research showing that 75% of travellers now expect to have the opportunity to leave reviews, they are becoming a necessity for feedback rather than an option. And it’s not just OTAs - any travel business should be considering the move.

Related: Read a report of Matt’s talk to the ITT this summer - ‘Building next generation review platforms’



10.40-11.30am
Social in 2014

  • Amy Brix, Head of e-Commerce, Europe, TUI; Catharina Fischer, Head of Social, German National Tourist Board; Marco Fanton, Global Social Media Director, Melia Hotels
    Moderator: Steve Keenan

This session will look at how social media has moved on this year in tour operating, at tourist boards (DMOs) and in hotels. Amy works with 12 source-markets at Tui on digital and says social is ‘absolutely essential’. Catharina is also a strong advocate of social and has implemented several campaigns at the GNTB, while Marco has been running social at Melia for three years, responsible for the strategic development of all Melia brands including Sol Wave House - the first Twitter hotel.

Related:
Hear Amy speak at @Engage in New York last month
Listen to Catharina talk on Audioboo about youth travel and a blogger campaign in Germany
Read about the Twitter Hotel that opened in Majorca in 2012


11.40-12.10pm
Get what you pay for?

  • Ruth Haffenden, MindshareUK; Iain Martin, Skipedia; Florence Ospici, We Are Social;
    Moderator: Mark Frary

Now that social networks like Facebook and Twitter are increasingly focused on advertising, what does your money buy you? Is it worth it or can we just follow a free content marketing strategy?

Related:
Find out more about Ruth here.
Read all about what Iain was talking about at Listex recently
Check out Florence’s Linked-in profile



12.20-1.15pm
Future social

  • Joakim Everstin, innovations director, Sabre Travel Network; Nigel Camp, Devil Boy Productions; Ruth Haffenden, MindshareUK;
    Moderator: Kevin May, Tnooz

This panel session looks at where social is going in the next year or so, looking at Google Glass, video drones as well as upcoming social networks such as Ello and Tsu. Also get the chance to see and win a Google Cardboard kit from DODOcase

Related:
Read Sabre’s report of our WTM Fresh challenge 2013 and watch more about the start-up winner, The Escape List
Watch Nigel’s Slideshare portfolio on how to improve your video techniques

That’s it for this year - thanks for your time and support and see you in 2015.

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