Agenda 2021 Programme

14:55-15:20 Brexit: The end of transition agreement and what it means for travel

With Brexit now less than a month away, what are the essentials that travel companies need to know? This 20-minute session with Rhys Griffiths, one of the UK's leading travel lawyers, will be followed by a live Q&A

Rhys Griffiths

Travel partner, Fox Williams

15:35-16:05 Deal or No Deal: How Brexit will impact travel in 2021

As the Brexit Transition period draws to a close and the UK prepares for its exit from the European Union, the panel examines how the industry will be impacted and what it will mean for businesses across the sector

Zina Bencheikh

Managing director EMEA,

Intrepid Travel

Simon Calder

Travel journalist,

The Independent

Diane Palumbo

Sales and marketing director, Skiworld

16:30-16:35 The Big Interview With: Robert Courts MP

As the industry continues to face its most challenging period, aviation and maritime minister Robert Courts offers an update on how the government work to get the industry restarted for both aviation and cruise, before taking live questions from delegates

Robert Courts MP

Aviation and maritime minister

DAY TWO: TUESDAY 8 DECEMBER

13:40-14:15 The Big Interview With: Huw Merriman MP, chair of the transport committee

As chair of the transport select committee, Huw Merriman has been vocal about his support for the travel sector and the urgent need to get the industry moving again during the coronavirus crisis. He speaks to Sophie Griffiths about his efforts to champion the industry and what he believes needs to happen to kick-start the market.

Huw Merriman MP

Chair of the transport committee

14:30-15:00 Inclusion and the travel industry – what next after the wrecking ball of 2020?

Examining the findings of exclusive research by MBS Group, Elliott Goldstein explores diversity and inclusion within the travel industry, how this has been affected by 2020 and what steps the industry must take in 2021 to move these key themes back up the agenda. This session will include a live Q&A.

Joanna Aunon

Director, WiHTL

Katy Bennett

Director, diversity and inclusion consulting, PwC

Elliott Goldstein

Managing partner,

The MBS Group

15:20-15:50 Post-Covid, post-Trump – how can travel be a force for good?

In the new world order as life adjusts to a world post-Covid and post-Donald Trump, this panel explores how travel can be kinder to the people who work in it, and to the environment. How can a kinder culture benefit the tourism sector?

Clare Jenkinson

Head of sustainability, Abta

Naledi Khabo

Chief executive, African Tourism Association

Arnie Weissmann

Editor in chief,

Travel Weekly USA

16:05-16:40 Money Talks: Can travel genuinely "build back better" when it comes to cash flow reform?

2020 highlighted notable flaws in the way the travel industry operates as consumers were left waiting months for refunds and agents often forced to bear the brunt of customer frustration. This panel explores how the industry can "build back better" with regard to pipeline monies, and travel firms can win back the trust of consumers.

Rory Boland

Editor, Which? Travel

Kirsten Hughes

Managing director,

Travel Counsellors

Paul Smith

Director (Consumers and Markets Group), and board member (CAA)

16:50-17:20 The Big Interview With: Nigel Huddleston MP

The former Google UK head of travel turned parliamentarian discusses how the government plans to support the industry through this crisis, as he faces questions from the trade in an interview with TTG editor Sophie Griffiths.

Nigel Huddleston MP

Tourism minister