Conference Call! ITAA 2024

A little round up of the wonderful participants and themes at the ITAA Conference 2024 in lovely Almeria. Dignitaries, speakers, delegates and guests attended in great numbers, dressed to kill and (for the most part!) behaved impeccably.

We were warmly welcomed by Sr Fernando Gimenez (Vice President of Almeria Provincial Council) and Aranzazu Martin Moya (Regional Government Councillor Andalucia). Laura Pena, our own newly appointed Director of Spanish Tourism Office Dublin told us that tourism to Spain had risen by 14%. Our own ITAA President, Angela Walshe, advised the mission statement: RISE. The huge affection for Antonio Martin and his amazing support and sponsorship from Andalucia did not go unnoticed.

Key topics under discussion were sustainability and artificial intelligence. Addressing the consumer payment side of technology (Stuart Kitching and Mak Skehill from Trust Payments) gave a good account. Delegates also heard from Roberto da Re (Travel Ledger) on B2B side. Amadeus was represented by Clare de Bono who advised a new white paper on AI.

The future of modern retailing was discussed by Caryn Bishop of Paxport and the value of connection and the importance of travel agents was upheld with Yvonne Muldoon and Aisling Murphy from Aer Lingus. Major Travel also announced their arrival to the Irish market.

Of course, our legendary MC Eoghan Corry held the conference together by his erudite questions and conducted a seamless performance throughout. ITAA CEO Clare Dunne stated that the conference was a focussed and business-like event with many solutions and innovative ideas on offer to travel agents and gave exposure to an underrated, hitherto largely unknown and lovely area of Andalucia.

Viva Espana!