​Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan to address his first travel conference

25 August 2015, SINGAPORE - Singapore’s Minister for Environment and Water Resources and Minister-in-Charge of the Smart Nation Initiative, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan will give the opening address at the eleventh edition of The Web In Travel conference this year, to be held 20-21 October 2015 at Marina Bay Sands.

The conference regularly attracts the crème of the travel industry – from CEO’s leaders in sales, marketing, revenue management and naturally, developers of travel technology.

This year, the conference aims to provoke fresh thinking in the industry, as everything is changing – from mobile penetration to the ubiquity of the internet. Its theme, Reboot, asks what needs to be discarded and what needs to be embraced?

“You just have to look around you, as you go about your everyday life and as you travel, how everything is changing. Our behaviours are changing – smartphone penetration is at its highest in Asia. This is influencing the way we plan and buy travel,” said Yeoh Siew Hoon, founder, WIT.

“At the same time, you have a huge growing middle class in Asia who want to and can afford to travel. Low cost air seats now account for 60% of capacity in South-east Asia, according to the latest CAPA (Centre for Aviation) data.

“This demand coupled with technology drivers is pushing travel towards a new frontier and we all have to be ready to adapt or risk becoming irrelevant.”

She added, “We’re also honoured and delighted to have Mr Balakrishnan open our conference this year. Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative is one that should be watched and speaks of the city state’s commitment to reboot itself for a new world.”

The speakers at the conference reflect the diversity of the industry. They comprise Online Travel Agencies, hoteliers, airlines, travel agencies, technopreneurs, investors, travel start-ups, travel marketers and technology providers.

“WIT is Asia's preeminent travel industry conference, where industry leaders, dragon heads and investors converge to address the latest trends and developments,” says Fritz Demopoulos, CEO of Queen’s Road Capital.

Adrian Currie, senior vice president, corporate development of the Priceline Group says, “WIT Singapore is a must attend event for anyone serious about building their travel brands in the Asia-Pacific market where growth, innovation and disruption are at its core. I appreciate the chance each year to speak at the event, share panel discussions and network with industry peers, and participate in the energy of the Bootcamp with aspiring industry leaders of tomorrow.”