ASATA Africa Travel Conference to Beat Travel Industry Challenges

The Association of Southern African Travel Agents and Advisors (ASATA) is gearing up for its highly anticipated 2025 Travel Conference, set to take place from August 20 to 22 at the Arabella Hotel, Golf & Spa near Hermanus. With the theme “Connecting Today’s Trends with Tomorrow’s Possibilities,” this conference will bring together Southern Africa’s travel industry professionals to explore the most pressing challenges and innovations in the travel sector.

The event will feature an array of discussions around New Distribution Capability (NDC), artificial intelligence (AI), secure payment solutions, cyber risks, scalable business strategies, and how to better collaborate across the travel value chain.

ASATA CEO Otto de Vries explained, “The travel and tourism industry is dynamic and constantly evolving. This conference is about getting everyone in the same room to tackle the real challenges we’re facing and figure out what comes next, together. We’ll address challenges like evolving retail models and cyber risk, but more importantly, we’ll explore future-ready solutions: from next-generation payments and AI adoption to strategies that drive growth and build stronger partnerships across our industry.”

What to Expect from the ASATA 2025 Travel Conference

The ASATA 2025 Travel Conference promises to be an exciting, hands-on event designed to provide real-world solutions and actionable strategies for the travel industry. The event will kick off on Wednesday, August 20, with a golf day at Arabella’s championship course, giving delegates a unique networking opportunity before diving into the business discussions that will follow.

From Thursday to Friday (August 21-22), delegates will be engaged in an interactive agenda tackling several key topics that are shaping the future of travel and tourism. Some of the highlights of the conference include:

• How NDC is Changing Airline Bookings: The introduction and growing influence of New Distribution Capability (NDC) in airline bookings will be a key discussion point. NDC is a modern standard for airline distribution that allows airlines to offer more personalized and dynamic content to travelers. The session will focus on how this technology is transforming the airline industry and what it means for travel agents and advisors.
• The Future of Payments and Secure Digital Solutions: As digital payments continue to evolve, the travel industry faces challenges and opportunities related to security, fraud prevention, and seamless payment solutions. The conference will explore how secure digital payment solutions are creating new possibilities for travel businesses and enhancing the customer experience.
• Practical Steps for Scaling Your Business: This session will provide practical advice and steps that travel businesses can take to scale operations, increase efficiency, and drive growth. Attendees will gain insights into effective strategies for expanding their businesses in an ever-competitive market.
• Harnessing Behavioral Economics for Smarter Decision-Making: A session focusing on how understanding consumer behavior can help travel businesses make more informed, data-driven decisions that lead to better outcomes.
• Building Better Partnerships Across the Industry Value Chain: The conference will also tackle the importance of collaboration in the travel industry. This session will focus on how businesses can work together to create a more efficient, sustainable, and successful travel ecosystem.

An Interactive Format for Real-World Solutions

This year’s ASATA conference goes beyond traditional presentations and offers delegates the opportunity to engage in collaborative breakout sessions. These sessions will be based on real-world scenarios, providing a platform for delegates to problem-solve together and create actionable strategies. Whether navigating regulatory shifts, adopting new technology platforms, or co-creating growth strategies, the interactive format will ensure that attendees leave with tangible takeaways that they can apply to their businesses immediately.

Industry-specific forums will also encourage open dialogue about the shared challenges and opportunities that are unique to Southern Africa’s travel market. These forums are designed to facilitate honest conversations, allowing delegates to learn from one another and build stronger connections across the industry.

Who’s Speaking at ASATA 2025?

The ASATA 2025 Travel Conference will feature a distinguished lineup of speakers, including industry veterans, renowned authors, and travel experts. Some of the confirmed speakers include:

• Otto de Vries, CEO of ASATA, who will provide insights into the current challenges facing the industry and how ASATA is working to drive positive change.
• Timothy O’Neal-Dunne, former Expedia executive and Principal at T2Impact, who will share his expertise on travel technology and innovation.
• Jason Goldberg, author of The Art of Scale, who will discuss strategies for scaling travel businesses.
• Natalia Rosa, founder of Big Ambitions, who will provide insights into growth and development in the travel industry.
• Amy Hervey, an expert in intelligent automation and scaling, who will talk about how AI is transforming the travel sector.
• Ann Cedarhall, a travel strategist, who will explore the future of travel in the context of changing market dynamics.
• Sarah Buerger, a travel law specialist at Novation Consulting, who will discuss the legal aspects of the evolving travel industry.

These speakers, along with other experts in retailing innovation, payments technology, and business strategy, will provide valuable insights into how the travel and tourism industry can adapt to future trends and overcome its challenges.

The Future of Travel in Southern Africa

The ASATA 2025 Travel Conference comes at a crucial time for Southern Africa’s travel and tourism sector. With a growing emphasis on technology adoption, the use of AI, and secure payment solutions, the region’s travel industry is preparing for significant transformation. The conference will not only address the key challenges facing the industry but will also provide a roadmap for future success.

Otto de Vries emphasized the importance of embracing new technology, payment innovations, and collaboration models to drive growth. “Travel agents and advisors play a crucial role in the tourism value chain by providing expertise and a personal touch that builds traveler trust,” he said. “Embracing these new technologies and strategies will allow us to take our businesses further than ever before.”

Conclusion

The ASATA 2025 Travel Conference is set to be an important event for travel professionals across Southern Africa. By addressing key industry challenges, exploring future trends, and offering hands-on, interactive workshops, the conference will provide valuable tools and insights that delegates can use to grow their businesses and navigate the evolving travel landscape. With an impressive lineup of speakers and a focus on collaboration and innovation, the ASATA conference promises to be a must-attend event for anyone in the travel and tourism industry.

Source: ASATA, The Straits Times, Centre for Aviation

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