Trade bosses and TV adventurer lined up to speak at Atas conference
Wendy Wu Tours’ founder, the global chief executive of Contiki and a TV adventurer have been announced as keynote speakers for the Association of Touring and Adventure Suppliers (Atas) conference.
Wendy Wu, Adam Armstrong and Alice Morrison are the first speakers to be revealed for the 2023 conference, which this year takes place at a new venue: the Rum Warehouse in Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel (October 10-11).
One of the pioneers of group travel to China, Wendy Wu escorted her first group of tourists to the country in 1994.
She set up Wendy Wu Tours in 1998 and has expanded the business to offer holidays across Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, Europe and even Antarctica.
Wu was also inducted to the British Travel and Hospitality Hall of Fame in 2017, to recognise her outstanding business achievement in the sector.
Armstrong became chief executive at youth travel brand Contiki – part of The Travel Corporation – in 2020, after senior roles with Silversea Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Carnival UK.
He has written on the Contiki website about his career and life as an out gay man, and the benefits of diversity in the workplace.
BBC presenter, writer and adventurer Alice Morrison will be sponsored by Intrepid Travel. She will be joining Intrepid customers on a special Women’s Expedition tour through the remote and less travelled reaches of Morocco in September.
Claire Brighton, Atas director, said: “I’m delighted to reveal the first speakers for our conference, who will be talking to delegates about the vast range of tours on offer in our sector, demonstrating the sheer the breadth of experiences available to clients.
“Wendy is very well known in the trade and will entertain us all while she tells us about the benefits, inclusions, sustainability efforts and customer types for touring specialists such as her company.
“Adam will be able to share his tips about the rapidly growing youth travel sector, helping agents at the conference to make the most of this lucrative and expanding market.
“And Alice will talk about adventure travel, particularly her journeys in Morocco – as well as a project she is developing with Intrepid about the growth of solo travel among 50-plus women.
“The wisdom and anecdotes they will share during their sessions promise to be both inspiring and educational.”
Pictured at the 2022 Atas conference are Travel Weekly’s Lucy Huxley and Claire Brighton. Photograph by Steve Dunlop.
