48-hour DLR strike threatens travel to WTM
A 48-hour strike on the Docklands Light Railway serving the ExCel centre is threatening travel to World Travel Market next week.
WTM organisers are speaking to ExCel and the DLR later today to decide on a contingency plan for the thousands of visitors expected at the annual travel exhibition on 2-5 November.
This could include replacement bus services.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers’ Union (RMT) voted to strike from Tuesday morning until Thursday morning following a dispute with service operator Keolis Amey over working conditions and the use of agency staff.
A WTM representative confirmed that most visitors use public transport – trains, DLR and tube.
She said that they were encouraging visitors to walk 10 minutes from Canning Town tube station to avoid the disruption or use alternatives like the Emirates Air-Line cable car or ferry services on the Thames.
Last year the exhibition attracted 50,000 people over the four days.
A WTM spokeswoman said: "We’re working together and have a call later with ExCel and the DLR to look at contingency plans.
"We trying to do everything we can to minimise disruption."
World Travel Market London 2015 said it had signed up almost 250 new exhibitors for next week’s event.
WTM London, Senior Exhibition Director, Simon Press said: "The variety of new exhibitors is impressive, with small, entrepreneurial start-ups to tourist boards to well-established global operators and everything in between.
"With many opportunities to network and conference sessions that cover the whole spectrum of the industry, there is no better place to do business than WTM London."
From 2016, the event has been reduced from four days to three days due to pressure from exhibitors to drop its fourth day, although the opening hours will be extended by one hour to 7pm.
Diane
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