ITB China Conference announces conference program line-up for 2019

Top industry speakers will share the latest knowledge and insights on market hotspots in the Chinese travel industry at the ITB China Conference, running parallel to ITB China from 15 to 17 May in Shanghai. Co-organized by TravelDaily China, the first conference day, 15 May, is dedicated to sessions dealing with Destination and Customized/Themed travel, the latter offering significant growth potential over the coming years. China’s travel think tank kicks off with the opening keynote speech by Mr. James Liang (Chairman of Ctrip), on 15 May, 10.10 a.m. in room A. The focus of the keynote speech taking place at 10.50 a.m. will be on this year’s official partner destination. Full details of the conference program are now available at: http://www.itb-china.com/conference/conference-program/

Destination sessions

Under the title „Hotel’s new retail, reinvent the use of hotel ’space’”, Mr. Leo Liu (President, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Greater China) will give a presentation at 11.10 a.m. in room A. The Wyndham Hotel Group is the official Hotel Partner of ITB China this year. In his talk Liu discusses how to leverage every inch of space within the hotel, either in the lobby area or in-room to maximize the retail opportunities. Jun Xue (Deputy General Manager, Sales, Air China) will deliver a keynote speech on the topic of “Full process aviation experience”. The lecture is about how to provide exclusive services for the entry point of full-process travel, so customers can improve their travel experience. Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur is the official Partner Limousine provider of the show. Regan Hu (Vice President of Shouqi Limousine & Chauffeur) will deliver a keynote speech at 11.50 a.m. in room A. The Chinese limo booking app is an offshoot of the state-owned Shouqi Group.

After the lunch break the afternoon of conference day 1 starts with a keynote speech held by Xiaoyan Li (Deputy Director, Xi’an Culture and Tourism Bureau) at 2 p.m. in room A. Afterwards participants to the conference can look forward to a keynote on the topic of “Mini Product, Immense Market“ – Empowering travel product innovation” delivered by Kate Chang (Regional Director, China, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board) at 2.25 p.m. A top speaker from Gridsum will talk about “How overseas tourism boards get localized in China” in the keynote speech held at 2.50 pm.

The Destination sessions in room A close with a panel discussion moderated by Mr. Joseph Wang (Chief Commercial Officer, TravelDaily China) at 4.15 p.m. Under the heading “Connecting Destinations with Chinese Travellers by Leveraging New Digital Tools?” Mr. Miguel Gallego (Head of Marketing and Communication, European Travel Commission) and other leading industry speakers from Tencent, Argentina and the Portugal Tourism Board will impart further knowledge and information on the topic.

Themed/ Customized Travel sessions

Sessions dealing with Themed/ Customized Travel are featured in Conference room B starting at 2 p.m.: Ms. Tina Wang (Associate, Benchmark Adventure), Mr. Jun Zhang (General Manager, CITS SHENZHEN), Mr. Xavier de Rohan Chabot (CEO/Founder, Xavier Adventure) and Mr. Bora Shnitman (Israel Tourism Attache of the Israel Ministry of Tourism, China Office) will provide useful industry insights on the topic of “How Product Design Makes the Difference?”. The panel discussion will be moderated by Jonas Yang (Investment Partner, JR Capital).

At 3.35 p.m. visitors to the conference can look forward to keynote speeches on Customized travel given by Ms. Gloria Wu (Ecommerce Center – General Manager, China Travel Service (H.K.)) and Mr. Jonathan Cheung (Chief Executive Officer, Abercrombie & Kent, China). Under the heading „To scale or Not to Scale: How Customized travel better serve the customer needs” Roger Shou (Founder, IMP Travel Ltd.) will debate the topic with prominent speakers from the industry: Christine Cheng (Founder & CEO, Lushu), Khin Khin Win (Managing Director, Myanmar Yo Yo Travels & Tours Co., Ltd.), Ming Guo (COO, HHtravel), Sherwin Mak (Director, Any Tours) and Derek Zhao (CEO, shijiebang.com) engage in the panel discussion at 4.35 p.m. in room B.

Presentation hub sessions

Starting at 1.40 p.m. there will be varying presentations in the presentation hub in intervals of 20 minutes. Participants of the conference can expect keynote speeches from Brazil, Ctrip, Aerotel and Liechtenstein Marketing as well as a speech by Ms. Christine Cheng, Founder & CEO of Lushu, and speeches from Worldpay. Ms. Greece Guo, General Manager, Air China Yeego and top speakers from Airwallex, Papua New Guinea TB as well as Ms. Christy Yin, Operation Director, Webpower will round off day 1 by providing further exciting insights.

www.itb-china.com