News and Events

BU Tourism Frontiers celebrate 30 years of WTM

13 November 2009

Dr Taleb Rifai (right) with Professor Buhalis

Secretary General of UN World Tourism Organization Dr Taleb Rifai opens the BU Tourism Futures Forum at World Travel Market.

BU’s Tourism Futures Forum celebrated 30 years of World Travel Market, the major UK and International travel industry event, with the theme ‘Tourism Frontiers 3030’.

Leading BU tourism academics joined industry experts at World Travel Market, held at London’s ExCeL, to focus on the past and future 30 years of tourism.

Chaired by leading eTourism academic Professor Dimitrios Buhalis, from BU's School of Services Management, the Forum examined major trends in tourism demand and supply and explored the strategic changes that led to the restructuring of the international tourism industry.

BU’s International Centre for Tourism & Hospitality Research organised the annual forum in partnership with World Travel Market and Travel Daily News to facilitate debate and discussion about key strategic changes and the successful response of the industry.

Forum Director Professor Dimitrios Buhalis said: “The current volatile market demonstrates the key challenges and opportunities emerging for both tourism destinations and suppliers around the world.

“Tourism destinations and organisations need to learn from the history of tourism developments in the last 30 years and adapt to the realities, technologies and globalisation for the next 30 years. Clearly understanding the Economics of Tourism and ensuring the sustainability of resources will be two key challenges for the future.”

Panelists included: Ufi Ibrahim, World Travel & Tourism Council; Philippe Rossiter Chief Executive Institute of Hospitality; Martin Brackenbury, President of the International Federation of Tour Operators; George Drakopoulos SETE, Greece; Kevin May Editor Tnooz.com; Graham Cook, Vice President Expedia EMEA; Steve Endacott, onholidaygroup.com.

Professor Buhalis also features on the WTM 30th Anniversary video together with Fiona Jeffery, Chairman, World Travel Market, Peter Long, Chief Executive TUI Travel Will Whitehorn, President Virgin Galactic, and Dr Taleb Rifai, Secretary General, UNWTO. To view the video please see the link below.