TMI Annual Convention taking place on 11-12 October in Bournemouth.

Booking is now open for this year’s Annual Convention taking place on 11-12 October in Bournemouth.  Join us to learn more about working with OTAs, hear the experiences of those who have run BIDs, and get insights into the latest tourism research/trends and the tourism landscape post Referendum. A range of activities are hosted and facilitated by Bournemouth University Department of Tourism and Hospitality.

Confirmed speakers include:
• Bernard Donoghue, Chair of the Tourism Alliance – Tourism post Referendum
• Tim Gardiner MBE, Chair of Tourism for All – Accessible tourism
• Tom Moore and Jowanna Conboye, Stephens Scown Solicitors – all you need to know about data protection
• David Gardner, Partnership Manager, GWR – packaging rail with attractions/accommodation and case studies
• Andrew Daines, VisitFlanders – Increasing the economic value of tourism to Flanders – how visitors are inspired and working with partners including carriers and OTAs to deliver an economic impact
• Samantha Richardson, Coastal Tourism Academy – Coastal Tourism in 2016 – Turning the Tide – new research findings highlighting the opportunities for tourism growth in coastal destinations
• Amanda Lumley, Destination Plymouth – Mayflower 400 – working in partnership with destinations in the UK, US and Holland and aspirations for 2020 and the legacy for UK tourism
• Cathrin Wurst, Hilton Bournemouth Hotel – Hilton Hotels Loyalty Programme
Early Bird rates for TMI members start at £97.50 plus VAT  and we are once again offering a special guest rate so that you can bring a non member colleague from your team or organisation. Book now to secure the best rates for the convention, and accommodation at the new Hilton hotel or next door Hampton by Hilton.

Brexit Andrew Bateman FTMI reflects
It’s been a couple of weeks since the nation narrowly voted for Brexit and the political fallout has been both rapid paced and quite astonishing.  A bit like living and breathing a national soap opera.  No doubt the headlines will settle down as the major political parties settle out their leaderships and the agenda moves on to more technical stuff like triggering Article 50 and international trade agreements.  As Visit Britain have recently highlighted, British tourism is currently in a good place, with strong performance in the domestic and international markets.  And as international tourism tends to be more heavily influenced by exchange rates, the ability of visitors to enter countries easily and perceived welcome, rather than the level of trade agreement tariffs that other service and product exporters may have to contend with, then there is no reason why there shouldn’t be optimism for the future. However, whilst the level of demand for domestic and international visits should hold up, there could be an impact on levels of investment in our tourism product if capital flows are constrained and there is a loss of confidence from investors and developers.  The tourism and hospitality sector’s reliance on freedom of movement of workers is also a key issue, particularly in light of negotiations around access to the EU single market.  There’s no doubt that politicians need to provide clarity as soon as possible so that we have more certainty to plan.

The implications of Brexit will be featured at the TMI Annual Convention , 11-12 October, and it will be fascinating to gauge local impacts, debate the known unknowns, and maybe by then we may be a bit clearer on the unknown unknowns!