Bournemouth University Department of Tourism and Hospitality team presented the innovations and talent development we do for tourism, travel and hospitality management at the GTMC conference at the Congress Centre in London on the 6th of December. EasyJet CEO Johan Lundgren was the Keynote speaker and discussed the airline competitiveness and the impacts of Brexit.
The event included a political analysis by Tim Montgomerie and an Industry Panel that featured Richard Burge Commonwealth and Enterprise Investment Council CEO; Kurt Janson Tourism Alliance Director; and Scott Ghagan Border ForceDirector Industry Partnerships exploring the challenges and opportunities emerging in business travel.
The Bournemouth University team included Simon Thomas and Professor Dimitrios Buhalis as well as final year tourism student Rachel Conway. Professor Buhalis explained that Bournemouth University is a global leader in tourism and hospitality research and co-creating knowledge and innovations with a 2030 Horizon. The GTMC partnership is at the heart of our Fusion as part of the BU2025 strategy. Simon Thomas explained the different ways that GTMC members and partners can work with us and our students through placements, consultancy projects and graduate jobs. Rachel Conway who is part of the team that is currently developing a consultancy project for GTMC expressed her excitement about business travel management and the opportunities for a career in this dynamic travel sector.
Professor Dimitrios Buhalis, Head of Department Tourism and Hospitality, Bournemouth University, GTMC CEO Adrian Parkes, Bournemouth University final year students Rachel Conway, Johnny Elves, Johanna Solnask and Simon Thomas, Employability Coordinator.
GTMC is the only representative body for Travel Management Companies (TMCs) and the business travel community in the UK. Members include a diverse range of TMCs who account for around 80 per cent of all managed travel booked in the UK. This ranges from the world’s largest TMC groups, to specialist businesses who have the in-depth knowledge and expertise to power a certain sector. The Industry Partners of the GTMC are key travel industry suppliers such as airlines, airports, accommodation companies, rail, car rental and technology providers.