10:00 Welcome coffee
10:30 Opening words
Mr. Umberto de Pretto, IRU Secretary General
10:40 First interactive panel debate: Current situation, market potential, opportunities
Mr. Alain Libéros, Deputy Head of Unit, European Commission, DG Enterprise and Industry, Unit E1, Tourism Policy
Keynote presentation on seniors’ travel specificity, expectations and market: a research presentation
Ms Eszter Ruga, project officer, ’’Healtour 2011” Calypso project
Followed by a panel debate with:
Ms Blanca Belošević, Head of Sector, Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Croatia (t.b.c.)
Mr. Carlos Romero, Director for Research, Development and Tourism Innovation in SEGITTUR
The coach tourism business perspective on the seniors travel market
Jean-François Defour, General Director, Voyages Léonard & Sales-Lentz Travel
11:45 Second interactive panel debate: Practical problems and solutions to bring seniors on board
The view of European tour organisers
Mr. Tom Jenkins, CEO ETOA
The view from inside and outside: the customers’ and business’ perspectives
Mr. Anssi Manninen, Bussi-Manninen Oy, Finland
The eCalypso platform and website – new business opportunities
Mr. Danny Silva, Project Manager, ISTO/OITS
12:45 Concluding remarks
Mr. Carlo Fidanza, Member of the European Parliament (t.b.c.)
Mr. Yves Mannaerts, IRU Vice President
13:00 Buffet lunch
14:00 Guided VIP visit for Forum participants of selected Busworld exhibition stands (having been awarded the “INNOVATION” label)
The awarding of the 2013 IRU Smart Move bus and coach awards (City Trophy, Bus Excellence, and Coach Tourism Innovation) will take place during the Busworld’s opening ceremony on 17 October in the afternoon