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| claude-blanc |
Arabian Travel Market (ATM), part of
the World Travel Market
portfolio, has boosted its executive team with the appointment of a new
Portfolio Director, who has over 25 years of experience within the travel trade
and hospitality industry.
Claude Blanc takes on
the overall responsibility for all events in the World Travel Market portfolio
including, WTM London, Travel Forward, the International Travel & Tourism
Awards, ATM, WTM Latin America and WTM Africa.
He joins from his role
as Chief Executive Officer at Paris-based Travel & Co, a tour operating
group which he founded in 2007. Prior to this, he was Digital Travel Director
for TUI group and has also held senior posts with travel management company
Rosenbluth International and timeshare exchange company RCI.
Commenting on his new
role, Blanc said: “I am delighted to join such a respected, well known global
brand, and to work with a team of seasoned travel industry professionals.
“Having been a sponsor,
an exhibitor and a visitor at many travel trade shows, I bring a client
perspective, an international network and a digital culture.
“It’s an exciting time to come on board, as the
WTM Portfolio is set to smash last year’s achievement of $7 billion worldwide
industry deals.
“Looking ahead to 2019’s events, my mission is
to continue to increase the scale of the WTM portfolio through innovation and
various new launches.”
Blanc joins a team of
accomplished travel industry veterans, and his expertise will further cement
the wealth of travel trade knowledge and event experience across the entire WTM
portfolio.
He will now report to Nick Pilbeam,
Divisional Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, a travel industry stalwart, with more
than 17 years of FTSE 100 experience in the travel industry with corporate
giants such as British Airways, Iberia and Avios.
Commenting on the appointment, Pilbeam, said:
“I am very pleased to welcome Claude onboard. He is equally comfortable working
as a part of a team or leading from the front, he has in-depth knowledge of the
industry and understands the geographical reach our portfolio covers.
“Claude will be a great asset as we drive the WTM
events around the world to go from strength to strength.”
ATM 2019, taking place at
Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 April – 1 May 2019, will adopt cutting-edge
technology and innovation as its spotlight theme.
