WTM London 2023 will put the spotlight on technology

23-10-23

World Travel Market London launches its first ever Technology Summit, featuring more than 10 sessions with high-profile speakers from Amadeus, Trip.com Group, TUI, Sabre, Hotelbeds and more.

WTM London's Travel Technology Conference Track will run over the three days of the show and will uncover the most important issues facing the industry: the ethics of AI, smart tourism and virtual reality.

On Tuesday afternoon, on the Elevate stage, the first Technology Summit will be launched, where WTM welcomes keynote speaker Bon Sian Chai , Managing Director and Vice President of International Markets at Trip.com Group, who will discuss Reimagining the Future of Travel and Hospitality. with Technology (Tuesday, November 7, 2:30pm).

As artificial intelligence increases its impact on the travel and tourism ecosystem, Pieter Jordaan , group chief information officer, TUI; Andrew Owen Jones , MD, SMARTSEER; and Frank Trampert , senior vice president, global general manager, community sales, Sabre Hospitality, discover where AI already has influence and the potential for future applications within the AI: Boundless Opportunities for Change in Travel session (Tuesday, November 7, 15:05), moderated by Kate Harden-England , editor, Travolution.

The afternoon continues with a deep dive into the theory and practice of virtual reality: tradition meets technology: elevating the travel experience with virtual reality and augmented reality (Tuesday, November 7, 15:55).

This is followed by Solving the Unsolvable (Tuesday, Nov. 7, 16:25), which explores the touchpoints and processes in travel that are next in line for technology-driven reinvention.

Elsewhere, on Monday, November 6 at 14:40, attendees can hear about Guardrails for AI and Unintended Consequences on the Discover Stage, in partnership with the Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council . Sam Altman , co-producer of Innovations of the World and U.S. Army Reserve innovation officer, will discuss the accountability of using AI in travel and tourism.

Another session, Harnessing Technology: building cities for SMART tourism , presented in partnership with the World Tourism Cities Foundation , will look at the role of technology in enabling cities to develop a tourism industry without affecting the quality of its inhabitants (Monday, Nov. 6, 15:30 ). The technology track keeps pace through Wednesday, November 8, with two sessions on the Innovate stage in partnership with Genesys Digital Transformation.

Building a seamless traveler journey with technology (13:40) will feature Muzzammil Ahussain , CEO of Saudi Arabia's largest travel company, Almosafer; digital strategist Danny Cohanpour, CEO of Trove Tourism Development Advisors; and Stephanie Waismann , chief product officer at Hotelbeds.

This is followed by a look at how apps and websites are evolving to remain relevant in a multichannel landscape with the session Technologies redefine engagement: purchasing power is in the palm of your customers' hands (14:10).

WTM Start-Up Pitch Battle

Meanwhile, as part of its ongoing commitment to the travel startup community, WTM will host its second WTM Start-Up Pitch Battle on Monday, November 6 at 13:20, also on the Discover stage, with support from Amadeus.

The prize is a free exhibition stand at WTM London 2024 and exposure to the wider WTM network, including all PR opportunities at the show and an interview with the winner. Amadeus will also offer 6 hours of one-on-one mentoring with its executive leadership. To submit your proposal, please apply via this link:  WTM Startup Pitch Battle Application (smartsheet.com) . The deadline for submission is Wednesday, October 25.