Registrations are open for British Tourism & Travel Show on 22-23 March.
‘We Bought a Zoo’ author Benjamin Mee has been confirmed as a Keynote speaker on the first day.
Director of Dartmoor Zoo, and played by Matt Damon in the 2011 blockbuster of the same name, Mr Mee joins a speaker line-up that already includes Countryfile’s Julia Bradbury and Travelzoo’s Joel Brandon-Bravo.
He will speak at 1300hrs on 22 March, the first day of the two-day show, which will showcase over 260 group-friendly exhibitors from across the UK.
The Mees decided to buy Dartmoor Zoo after finding out it was to be closed and the animals destroyed. Benjamin’s inspirational story deals with the uphill battle of turning the zoo around ready for opening, while dealing with his wife’s terminal cancer and caring for his two children.
His memoir We Bought a Zoo was published in 2008, inspiring a movie of the same name starring Matt Damon and Scarlett Johannson three years later.
In a session titled ‘Overcoming the unforeseen’, Mr Mee will be sharing his experience of buying a zoo and overcoming the obstacles, while discussing the key principles to delivering a great visitor experience.
More Keynote speakers
Joining headline speakers Julia Bradbury, Benjamin Mee and Joel Brandon-Bravo will be sessions by the Tourism Society and AGTO.
The AGTO session, to be chaired by CEO Mike Bugsgang, will address “the changing face of group travel” and coincides with National GTO Day on 23 March.
National GTO Day is a new officially-recognised celebration of this crucial segment of the tourism sector, created by the BTTS team.
The most up-to-date version of BTTS’s Keynote Theatre programme can be found here.
Meeting planner
BTTS has revamped its Meeting Planner for 2017, a service that allows visitors to plan their day and maximise their time at the show.
You can view the conference programme and choose any sessions you would like to attend, then search the exhibitor directory and book appointments.
The system also features a “My Event” page, where you can see your personalised itinerary.
Historic houses
In celebration of England’s historic houses and gardens, BTTS has announced a revamped ‘Historic Houses and Gardens’ feature for 2017.
This dedicated area showcases classic attractions from across the British Isles, with a wealth of ideas and inspiration for a range of group trips and tours.
Exhibitors in the zone include Waterperry Gardens, Sulgrave Manor, National Trust – Canons Ashby, Dartington Hall and Llancaiach Fawr Manor.
Regional pavilions
The 2017 show sees the return of BTTS’s regional pavilions.
Wales, Ireland, Scotland and the South East will all be represented with their own feature areas at the show.
Visit Wales, Tourism Ireland, Experience Scotland and Tourism South East will showcase attractions and hotels in those regions, all in one place.
Wales is celebrating its Year of Legends, and Scotland its Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.
