The annual conference of the Irish Travel Agents Association gets under way today in the four star beachside hotel Barceló Cabo de Gata in Almería, moderated by Eoghan Corry.
The conference begins with welcome addresses from representatives of Andalucía Tourism, Almería Tourism, and Turespaña, and a greeting from ITAA President Angela Walsh.
The conference has adopted the slogan: Relevant, innovative, strong, essential (RISE), discussing important industry insights, future growth strategies, and updates on global payment solutions affecting the Irish travel industry.
Attendees engage in a five-minute mobility routine to relieve stress, followed by sessions on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and the role of sustainability in the travel industry.
The agenda covers key topics such as maximising business value, airline retailing trends, AI opportunities and challenges, and concludes with closing remarks from Association president Angela Walsh.
The Future of Modern Airline Retailing
As the airline industry continues to adapt to changing consumer behaviours and technological advancements, innovative retail strategies are emerging to enhance the passenger experience. Speakers will explore key trends shaping airline retailing, including personalized offerings, dynamic pricing, and the integration of digital platforms. Join us to discuss how these developments affect travel agents, who play a crucial role in navigating the evolving landscape.
Aisling Murphy – Aer Lingus
Aisling Murphy, Head of Distribution Product Delivery at Aer Lingus, led the successful rollout of the airline’s new distribution capability. She is now focused on enhancing the digital journey for customers through Offer and Order strategies. With expertise in leading transformational projects, she aligns business goals with innovative digital solutions.
Yvonne Muldoon – Aer Lingus
Yvonne Muldoon, Director of Sales, Aer Lingus, has over 28 years of experience within the Aviation Industry. Yvonne is based in Aer Lingus Head Office in Dublin and currently sits on the Senior Leadership Team. Her current role is Director of Sales, managing Global Online Travel Agents and Regional Sales teams across Europe and North America. Yvonne is currently managing the Aer Lingus Sales Integration as part of joining the Atlantic Joint Venture with American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, and Finnair.
Clare de Bono – Amadeus
Clare de Bono, Associate Director of Strategy & Transformation and Country Manager UK, joined Amadeus in June 2016, having previously worked at STA Travel Group, where she headed up a number of global initiatives, including the rollout of multiple customer and trade-facing air and hotel booking engines, a new global rail platform, and the opening of STA Travel in France. Clare joined the Amadeus UK and Ireland team as Director of Product & Innovation, before being promoted to a global leadership role in Product Management for Amadeus Front Office Solutions. Clare was recently appointed to lead global strategy and transformation projects at Amadeus, in addition to her role as UK Country Manager.
Caryn Bishop – Paxport
Caryn Bishop, Senior Account Manager, joined the Paxport Commercial team as Senior Account Manager almost 18 months ago, having come from a predominantly corporate travel background, spanning 15+ years. Having held roles for both travel suppliers and travel buyers, Caryn has also worked alongside and from within the world of Travel Management Companies, collaborating with customers to solve a wide range of travel management challenges. In her role now at Paxport, Caryn continues this trend of supporting new and existing customers by removing the logistical headaches of airline connectivity through streamlined connections and simple workflows to drive conversions and boost revenue.
Sustainability – How The Travel Industry Can Help.”
As the travel industry faces increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices, travel agents play a vital role in promoting eco-friendly options and responsible travel choices. In this session, speakers will explore how the travel industry can support sustainability by highlighting the initiatives already underway in destinations like Costa del Sol and Almería. They will describe the power and influence travel agents can have in driving positive change within the travel sector.
Natalia Bóveda Ranea – Visit Costa del Sol
Natalia Boveda has over two decades of experience in the travel and tourism industry. She has held various roles across sectors such as leisure, cruise, airline connectivity, and technology. She is a frequent speaker at panels and conferences focused on the cruise, airline, and sustainable tourism industries, including Spain’s Sustainability Day.
José Antonio González Perez – Turismo Almería
José Antonio González Pérez, Jefe Negociado Promoción, Almería Turismo, has been the team leader of the Tourist Promotion Department of “Costa de Almería” since 2011. His work focuses on promoting and positioning this province as a tourist destination, contributing to the development of its local economy. He and his team attend a myriad of events, exhibitions, trade fairs, workshops, and press trips, all aimed at enhancing this area both nationally and internationally.
Global Payment Solutions for the Irish Travel Industry
As the travel landscape in Ireland continues to evolve, so too must the payment systems that support it. In this session, we will explore emerging trends, innovative technologies, and the challenges facing global payment solutions within the Irish travel sector. We will discuss how advancements such as contactless payments and enhanced security measures are reshaping the way travelers interact with businesses in Ireland. Our panel will discuss the future of payment systems and their impact on the Irish travel industry in the years ahead.
Stuart Kitching – Trust Payments
Stuart Kitching, Head of Sales, Trust Payments. Heading up the London sales team for the last 2 years, Stuart is responsible for all new business activity within the company. He leads a team of business development managers that focus on a multitude of sectors including travel, retail, hospitality, and financial services. At Trust Payments, the primary focus is helping merchants increase conversion, profitability, and user experience by offering a suite of innovative payment acceptance solutions to their customers. Prior to working at Trust Payments, Stuart spent 16 years in payments working for global fintechs and corporate banks running their global sales teams selling all things payments.
Mark Skehill – Trust Payments
Mark Skehill, Senior Business Development Manager Travel, has over 25 years of experience in payments and finance, including payment services, Buy Now Pay Later, and retail point of sale finance. Working for companies such as Klarna, Close Brothers Retail Finance, and currently Trust Payments, Mark has worked across multiple verticals including retail, hospitality, and travel, across SME, mid-range, and enterprise merchants. During the 2 years with Trust Payments, Mark has dedicated his time supporting the travel vertical to become Trust Payments Travel Specialist.
Roberto da Re – Travel Ledger
Roberto da Re, CEO, Travel Ledger, is a seasoned entrepreneur with almost 30 years of experience in travel technology. Driven by a passion for innovation and challenging the status quo, Roberto is now transforming B2B billing and settlement in the travel industry with Travel Ledger. Prior to founding Travel Ledger, he worked at SABRE and founded Dolphin Dynamics, where he brought pioneering products like Flightscanner to market. His visionary approach and deep knowledge of the travel industry continue to shape the future of travel tech and payments, making him a recognised leader in the industry.
Profit on Purpose: A Path to Maximise Your Business Value
“In today’s fast-changing travel industry, creating value isn’t about what worked in the past—it’s about being relevant, innovative, and driving strength through profitability and efficient operations. During this session, we’ll explore how small, strategic changes can ramp up profitability and position the business for maximum value. We’ll look at how to extract value not only from customers but also from the way we operate day-to-day. Whether considering a future sale or simply wanting to secure a stronger position in the market, the steps taken today will determine tomorrow’s outcome. Together, we’ll explore practical strategies and a framework to help travel agents increase profits and drive essential growth with purpose.”
Anthony O’Mara – ARAMO Business Consulting
Anthony O’Mara, Founder of ARAMO Business Consulting, brings 30 years of experience in finance and running technology companies. In recent years, he has been working as a coach, consultant, and advisor, helping businesses drive profitability and long-term value. Recently, he has consulted in the travel industry, among other sectors, focusing on growth strategies, operational efficiency, and business transformation. Learn more at www.anthonyomara.com or connect with him on LinkedIn.
Your Health – Your Strength
In today’s fast-paced world, prioritizing health is essential for achieving both personal and professional success. This session will focus on the vital connection between physical well-being and overall strength, exploring practical strategies for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We will discuss topics such as nutrition, fitness, mental health, and self-care, emphasizing how these elements contribute to resilience and empowerment for individuals. We invite you to engage with the valuable insights and tools that can help you take control of your health, enhancing your strength and enabling you to thrive in all aspects of your life while also sometimes navigating the unique challenges of working from home.
Stephanie Healy – Stephanie Healy Coaching
Stephanie Healy is a Nutrition, Health & NLP Mindset Coach who empowers professionals to elevate their health and mindset. With a focus on helping busy individuals in demanding roles, she guides them to maintain their wellbeing, manage stress, and stay at the top of their game. As her work evolves, Stephanie is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and corporate professionals build confidence, avoid burnout, and create a strong mind-body connection for sustained success.
