CTC-29 to Discuss Distribution Issues

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. October 14, 2008

OCTOBER 12, 2006. Focusing on timely topics in the travel industry, the Caribbean Tourism Organization will hold a MasterClass at CTC-29 to discuss travel distribution and ways to increase a company's productivity in a highly competitive marketplace

"While the Internet has become a powerful resource for consumers of each distribution channel, understanding the benefits that each of the different modes of booking has to offer is important," said Hugh Riley, CTO's director of marketing for the Americas. "It is imperative that we remember our primary goal is to serve the clients' needs first."

Titled "The Changing Channels of Travel Distribution," this MasterClass will focus on methods to capture the interest of the consumer from the perspective of a travel agent, tour operator/wholesaler, and destinations and hotel companies. It will discuss the ways in which specific booking channels have reinvented themselves as well as how they have succeeded in an environment where consumers are highly Internet savvy.

Travel agents are now being paid fees by their clients for their irreplaceable consultation. Moving beyond their traditional role as "middleman of the distribution cycle," tour operators and wholesalers are keeping pace with their global competition by acting as both a vacation packager and a retailer, working to benefit the consumer. Hotel companies and destinations have created their own booking web sites to compete with the 24/7 booking power of the Internet.

The following speakers will be a part of this MasterClass:

. Joel Chusid, Chairman of the Association of Travel Marketing Executives, (ATME) who will be the panel's moderator.

. Laura Veglia, Regional Director for the Caribbean, Expedia

. Jamie McNair, President, Sabre, Canada

. Douglas Kostwoski, President, Travel People, Miami

. Michael Hering, President & CEO, SkyAuction.com and Magical Holidays

The MasterClass will run during CTC-29 on Tuesday, Oct. 24 from 11:15 am - 1:15 pm.

CTC-29 is taking place Oct. 22-25, 2006 at the Westin and Sheraton Grand Bahama Island Our Lucaya Resort on Grand Bahama Island, in The Bahamas. CTC-29 will provide the opportunity for delegates to participate in the evolution and development of the "new Caribbean brand", and will also demonstrate how tourism marketers can benefit from brand association in ways which, up until now never seemed possible.