Kerala Chief Minister of Kerala Shri Oommen Chandy will inaugurate the first-of-its-kind international meet on travel technology on June 7, 2013, aimed at helping the country’s tourism sector take advantage of the huge marketing potential of the web and social media.

More than 400 delegates from around the country and abroad have registered for the International Conference on Travel Technology (ICTT) India which will be held from June 7-9, 2013 at The Leela, Kovalam. It is being organized by the Association of Travel Trade Organizations, India (ATTOI) with the support of Kerala’s Department of Tourism.

“From researching destinations to planning their travel, tourism consumers today are heavily influenced by the social media and other online resources in making their decisions. Businesses here need to understand the web space and know how to make technology work for them, which is what we hope to achieve with ICTT India,” said Shri Anish Kumar P K., Secretary, ATTOI and Organising Secretary, ICTT.

“Around 80 per cent of the registered participants are tour operators from various states keen to expand their business online. At the ICTT they will have the opportunity to meet and interact with travel industry entrepreneurs from around the world who have successfully leveraged the power of the internet” said Shri Shailesh Nair, Convenor of ICTT.

ICTT will feature 17 experts based in countries such as the US, UK, Australia and UAE, besides India, who will speak on a range of subjects including cost effective marketing over the web, blogging as a marketing tool, how to find clients using social media, the evolution of travel related software and mobile applications for the service industry.

Speakers include Australia-based social media specialist Ms Selina Power; Mr Chad Wiebesick, Director of Social Media and Interactive Marketing at PWB Marketing Communications, a US-based B2B agency; Mr. Adam Franklin, Marketing Manager, Bluewire Media, Australia; Mr. Avijitj Arya, Founder and CEO, Internet Moguls, India; Mr. Siddharth Dabhade, Experienced Vertical Business Executive, Industry Manager Travel, Google, India.

An exhibition is also being organized on the side lines of the conference to provide an opportunity for travel and tourism businesses to showcase their products and services.

Around 70 exhibitors ranging from hotel industry operators to technology companies have already confirmed participation.

The ICTT is also expected to attract travel bloggers and leading travel media publications. Entry to ICTT will be restricted to delegates with bar coded passes. For registration details visit www.icttindia.org