KERALA TOURISM NEWSLETTER
Kerala to host meet on travel technology
India's first international event on travel technologies will be held in Kerala with the objective of helping the travel and tourism industry leverage the massive marketing potential of the internet and social media.
The International Conference on Travel Technology (ICTT) India from June 7-9, 2013 at The Leela, Kovalam, will bring together subject experts from India and abroad, tour operators, hotel and resort owners, tourism marketing professionals, academicians, researchers and think tanks to discuss evolving technologies and the opportunities they present for the tourism industry.
ICTT India is being organized by the Association of Travel Trade Organizations, India (ATTOI) - a not-for-profit body working to promote responsible travel and sustainable tourism - with the support of Kerala Tourism. Outstation delegates who register after paying up will be provided accommodation on twin sharing, first come first served basis. A total of 400 seats are available. For registration details contact, Mrs. Sreeshma: + 91 95391 56333 or log onto
www.icttindia.org "From researching destinations to planning their travel, tourism consumers today are heavily influenced by the social media and other online resources in making their decisions. Businesses here need to understand the web space and know how to make technology work for them, which is what we hope to achieve with ICTT India," said Mr. Anish Kumar P K., Secretary, ATTOI and Organising Secretary, ICTT.
Talks and presentations will feature speakers including leading social media and online marketing specialists and entrepreneurs from around India and countries including the US, UK and Australia. They will elaborate on changes taking place over the web space, travel-related software, mobile applications, marketing and sales trends.
ICTT India will also be a platform for Travel Technology companies to showcase their newly developed software and mobile applications and discuss improvements & innovations.
"Thanks to IT, the nature of doing business has changed considerably. The internet has become the first point of reference, and social media a primary channel for information," said Mr. Suman Billa, Secretary, Kerala Tourism. "Technology is also a great leveler, it works equally well for the big businesses and the small homestays and tour operators. But evolution in technology is so rapid, unless we keep pace we risk becoming obsolete, which is why Kerala Tourism is fully supportive of initiatives such as the ICTT which will help us stay ahead of the curve", added Mr. Suman Billa.
An exhibition will be organized on the sidelines of the conference to provide an opportunity for travel and tourism businesses to showcase their products and services. The exhibitors will include national and state tourism departments, national/international tourism organizations, trade bodies, tour operators, hotels, resorts, health spas and medical tourism facilities, technology and communications services providers, IT companies, financial service providers, airlines, education institutes and tourism publications.
