(Issued by Scottish Enterprise - 31 January 2006. Author: Aileen Hotchkiss)

The founder of one of the travel industry’s greatest success stories will be in Scotland in March addressing more than 400 tourism professionals from across the country.

Terry Jones, founder of Travelocity.com, will be the keynote speaker at the Tourism Innovation Day taking place on Tuesday 28 March at the new Perth Concert Hall.

The Tourism Innovation Day has become a highlight in the annual tourism industry calendar since Scottish Enterprise's inaugural event four years ago. The one-day event will help owners, managers and employees of Scotland’s wide range of tourism businesses, from B&Bs to five-star hotels, tour operators and visitor attractions, to develop and capitalise on innovative cutting-edge ideas and practices.

Tourism Innovation Day 2006 is organised by the Tourism Innovation Group (TIG), a private sector tourism leadership group with members who are passionate about achieving long term, strategic change in Scottish tourism.

Sue Crossman, Director TIG, said, “We are delighted Terry Jones will be the key speaker at Innovation Day and look forward to welcoming him to Scotland. His experience and knowledge in the global tourism market, coupled with his adoption of innovative technologies into the tourism businesses he has led, will be thought-provoking and stimulating.”

Tourism Innovation Day will also provide hands-on, innovation sessions led by other international and UK tourism experts including Chip Conley, CEO Joie de Vivre Hospitality, San Francisco; Colin Burns, former Head of Studio, IDEO - USA; and Clare McFarlane, Managing Director of Aries Tours Ltd and Director of the International Ecotourism Society based in Washington DC.

Tourism Innovation Day is organised by TIG, with support from Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise. Sponsors include BT, Learndirect Scotland, VisitScotland and British Airways.

For more details on the event, visit the tourism innovation day web site