A message for members from CTA chair Robert Shaw:
Dear Member
I imagine that like me, you are now having to adjust to yet another twist and turn on the long road out of this pandemic with the introduction of the latest Omicron measures. The past couple of years have been immensely challenging for all of us, but I have been heartened by the positive attitude of my friends and colleagues across the CTA membership, and their willingness to tackle each problem head on and stay focused on the future.
Obviously none of us has that crystal ball, but I for one am planning confidently for a strong year in 2022 and the beginnings of a true recovery. With the booster programme now accelerating, we should all have had the opportunity to be triple-vaccinated by the new year.
With that in mind, I would like to urge you to book for the forthcoming CTA Workshop & Conference which takes place in Liverpool on 6-8 February. We will of course implement any precautionary measures required by government advice, but at the moment, there doesn’t appear to be any reason why this will not go ahead and we are certainly planning for a strong return of the event as it will be two years since our last gathering for the Conference in York.
There is an excellent programme planned including the ever-popular Workshop with its speedy, one-to-one meetings which is an invaluable way of doing business and making the most of your CTA membership. We also have a great Conference line-up including a keynote address from one of the best known names in the travel business, Simon Calder; plus Julie Wakley, head of Tourism Ireland UK; Patricia Yates, Deputy CEO, Visit Britain; and Kurt Janson, Director, Tourism Alliance.
And there are some great fam trips organised to our growing band of Liverpool-based supplier members, including a buffet dinner on the Sunday evening at The Beatles Story which should be a real treat.
We will be well looked after by the Hilton Liverpool but they need us to confirm the final numbers early in the new year, so I would like to urge you to book early – before Christmas – otherwise we may not be able to guarantee you a room at the main conference hotel.
I look forward to seeing you in Liverpool and would like to wish all CTA members a very happy and peaceful Christmas, and a prosperous 2022.
Robert Shaw
CTA Chair
