IS TRANSPORT IN BRITAIN : DRIVING TOURISTS OUT? 

The Tourism Society has secured a panel of experts to discuss this timely and controversial topic on 24 th October 2007 in London in conjunction with the Travel & Tourism Research Association . The debate will be chaired by David Quarmby, Director of Colin Buchanan; Chairman of the Independent Transport Commission and former Chairman of the British Tourist Authority. Speakers will include Roger Wiltshire, Secretary General of the British Air Transport Association (BATA); Michael Birtles, Managing Director of European Rail and Ben Stafford, 2012 London Olympics for the Department for Transport (DfT).

Transport, a core element of tourism, is affected by tourism and seen as having a major impact on tourism. All too often, Britain is lambasted for its expensive, congested, over-crowded, inconvenient, ineffective and confusing transport service whether this is air, road or rail. The president of The Tourism Society, Lord Thurso MP FTS, recently stated that 'air travel is rapidly becoming such a frustrating experience that it is a growing factor in the type of holiday people take.'

The expert panel will debate these issues and London 's transport system in the run-up to the 2012 Games; airport developments, air transport in Britain , road travel, and look at lessons learned from Europe in terms of rail transport.

Tickets are from £29, include a networking drinks and finger buffet and bookings can be made online: www.tourismsociety.org . The first 20 delegates to book will also get the exclusive opportunity to view the brand new St Pancras Eurostar station and a photographic exhibition of the station development, before the meeting.

-ENDS-

This press release can also be viewed on www.travmedia.com .