(Picture shows the bit of ocean that divides Morocco and Spain as we flew close to Gilbraltar)

In fact, I often had nightmares about it – constant thoughts swirling in my head, as I attempted to thread all those ideas into a single theme.

I have a lot to thank jetlag for. Also all the input I received from everyone I met along the way and through discussions on Facebook, Skype, What’s App, Blackberry Messenger, Twitter, MSN and oh yes, emails (had a 16-year-old who couldn’t believe anyone still uses emails) – these days, who needs the seven seas when you’ve got the seven channels?

It’s an interesting time, this world of travel technology, distribution and marketing. The ground has definitely shifted this year. Last year, when WIT met in October, lines seemed clearer. We had just come out of the global financial crisis. Most organizations were still in shock, recovering and taking their time for the next move. 

This year, kaboom – everything’s on the move and it’s moving so damn fast, and everyone’s moving out to Asia. And many organisations are playing their cards and laying claim to certain grooves, hoping an early position will help claim leadership.

I have also noticed a certain wariness among organisations to share – perhaps because everyone’s less certain about their positions anymore as the lines continue to blur and the competition gets hotter.

Deal sites moving into travel and OTAs moving into travel – this is one hoteliers are watching. This could throw rate parity out of the window, if it was ever a reality in the first place. I hear certain hotel groups have issued directives to its hotels not to take part in these sites. There are rumblings that certain hotels in Asia are being told by OTAs not to entertain these sites as well.

Private sale clubs. What’s a hotel to do? The latest to launch in Asia – Impulse Flyer.

Social networks have unleashed our desire to share but I don’t know about you, I can’t keep up with my social, virtual self. There’s cyber junk out there that carries my name. Things I started, but didn’t continue. This morning, I created my Google+ account and I am having trouble deciding between “friends” and “acquantainces”.

This is when you realise how few friends you have – those you really want to share private details with. My mother is right. If at the end of your life, you can count on one hand the number of true friends, you are lucky. So don’t let those social networks lull you into a state of false popularity.

How will the splintering of social networks impact travellers’ behaviour? Big question mark.

Mobile’s caught fire and smartphones and devices are changing customer behaviour everywhere. The battle between browsers and apps rages on as companies launch one app after another.

In Paris last week, I couldn’t have a meal without someone constantly at their mobile device. If it wasn’t someone texting or emailing, it was them showing me photos of their dogs and grandchildren. I noticed people talked more on their phones in Paris than in Singapore though.

There was a time when mealtimes in France meant wine, food and conversation and nothing else. Now smartphones have become the new table settings. I asked my Parisian friend what’s happening.

“We are working too hard,” he said, “like everyone else now.” So if Australia has become iPlod, Paris has become Le Plod.

Don’t get me wrong though – the French are still going for their summer holidays. Every Parisian I met is still going away – although not to Tunisia and Morocco they say due to the unrest there. So you can bet on the South of France being absolutely packed this summer.

In Cardiff last weekend, I went into the Apple Store to use their wifi network – don’t tell please – and saw people of all ages, from 16 to 85, buying the iPad 2. This device is bridging the generation gap like no other.

In the wonderful series, Downton Abbey, which I am watching on the iPad, the character played by the formidable Maggie Smith says, “Electricity, telephone. Sometimes I feel I am in a HG Wells novel.”

There were moments when I was working on the conference programme when I felt I was writing a HG Wells novel.

Let the fun begin.