World Travel Information

AUSTIN, TX--(Marketwire - February 11, 2010) - United Nations World Tourism Organization's (UNWTO) John Kester is scheduled to provide a tourism and travel update during the Closing Session of the 2010 European Hospitality Technology Educational Conference (EHTEC). As head of the Market Trends and Competitiveness Section of the World Tourism Organization -- located in Madrid, Spain -- Kester monitors short-term and long-term trends in tourism; marketing and promotional techniques; and competiveness as formulated in the General Programme of Work of UNWTO. EHTEC 2010, produced by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), is February 14-16 at the Amsterdam Hilton in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

During his EHTEC session, Kester will evaluate the current trends in the tourism and travel industry. He will discuss the latest and upcoming trends within the travel sector, as well as how the recession truly is affecting the state of the travel and tourism industry.

"One of the main reasons EHTEC delegates are gathering next week is to exchange ideas and strategies, sharing real approaches that satisfy today's hotel guests," said Frank Wolfe, CAE, CEO of HFTP. "Kester's insight offers a genuine look at the state of the industry, helping hoteliers match their business strategies with the current state of the travel sector."
Kester is involved in the development of the "UNWTO World Tourism Barometer," a publication with the aim of monitoring the short-term evolution of tourism issued three times a year, and is currently involved in the forthcoming update of the long-term forecast "Tourism Towards 2030." On behalf of UNWTO, he participates in the development of the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum (WEF) published yearly in "The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report."

EHTEC 2010 offers focused technology education and various networking opportunities with peers and vendors. The EHTEC Advisory Council, a group of global hospitality experts, designed the conference education program to highlight tough technology issues like the recession's impact on technology, cloud computing, mobile distribution and more.

HFTP, founded in 1952, is the global professional association for financial and technology personnel working in hotels, clubs and other hospitality-related businesses. HFTP provides first class educational opportunities to more than 4,800 members globally, including the premiere hospitality technology conference HITEC. HFTP also awards the certification for the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive (CHAE) and the Certified Hospitality Technology Professional (CHTP) designations.