ITT reveals 2024 conference destination and mandatory carbon offset fee
Tom ParryThe Institute of Travel & Tourism (ITT) has revealed the location of its 2024 conference and announced a new initiative requiring delegates to pay £25 to offset their travel emissions.
The event will take place at the Porto Carras Grand Resort in Halkidiki on 3-5 June, with ITT returning to Greece for the first time in nearly three decades.
The announcement follows ITT hosting its most recent conference in Qatar, at the Waldorf Astoria Lusail in Doha, which proved a contentious choice of destination, with chair Steven Freudmann telling TTG he hoped the event would trigger a healthy discussion on how travel can be a force for good.
Registration is now open for ITT members at itt.co.uk
An early-bird rate of £595 available is until 31 December, while members who attended ITT’s 2023 conference will be emailed a registration offer for next year’s event.
Freudmann said: “It is 26 years since we last held our conference in Greece, so I am really pleased that, after all these years, we are about to return to one of the UK travel industry’s most important destinations.
“We expect huge demand for our first Greek conference for many years and will be limiting the number of delegates to a maximum of 400. So, I urge you to register early to take advantage of our early-bird rate.”
ITT said it was continuing to partner with the industry to develop better strategies to reduce emissions, including delegates being asked to cover travel offsetting costs for the first time.
Fiona Jeffery, chair of ITT’s Sustainability Committee, said: “As part of our commitment to improving ITT’s environmental footprint as an organisation and that of our members we have agreed to offset the carbon footprint of the conference.
"This donation will be invested in a well credited carbon offset programme and full details shared with the membership. We hope you agree this is an important step in reducing our collective environmental impact and making a positive contribution to protecting the planet and its communities."
Eleni Skarveli, UK and Ireland director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation, said: "We are thrilled to extend a warm welcome to the ITT conference in Halkidiki, the birthplace of the renowned philosopher Aristotle. Enveloped by the serene and harmonious ambiance of this region, we aspire for this setting to ignite inspiration amid all participants fostering innovative ideas and intellectual dialogues on the travel industry’s challenges.
"At the same time, we anticipate moments of relaxation, allowing attendees to luxuriate along the endless sun-kissed shores of cosmopolitan beaches and savour the delectable culinary treasures that Halkidiki has to offer. See you all there!"
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Tom Parry
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