World Travel Market is set to get bigger

A message from WTM:

Organisers of World Travel Market expect to increase the size of the exhibition by more than 5% when it opens the doors at London ExCeL between Monday 10 – Thursday 13 November.

The global event now has a record 189 exhibiting countries, an increase of five more countries compared to last year. New countries who are either participating at World Travel Market for the first time or are returning after several years absence are Vietnam, Bonaire, Adu Dhabi, Albania and Belarus. New regions include Heart of England, Illinois, Ionion Islands and Rodos to name but a few.

Asia leads the way with a rise in exhibition space of up to 16% – its greatest expansion ever – with the Africa region increasing by 9% and Europe by 7%, compared to last years figures.

NEW EXHIBITORS

Fiona Jeffery, Group Exhibition Director described the latest results as “fantastic”.

“It is still too early to forecast the final numbers, but based on current predictions, it is clear that exhibitors view World Travel Market as a compelling must-attend event to invest in the future and continue to build solid business.”

Jeffery points to a raft of cost-cutting initiatives designed to help exhibitors struggling with the ‘cold winds’ of a difficult economic climate as a contributing factor to the expected strong support for the event this year.

This included, for example, the introduction of a three-year price freeze, a 10% Early Bird discount on basic stand essentials such as electrics and rigging and negotiated special rates for flights and local London transport. In conjunction with hotel specialist Expotel, organisers have also identified and negotiated a wider choice of budget, two, three and four star accommodation, conveniently situated close to ExCeL as well as hotels in central London locations.

During the past year, World Travel Market has also been working closely with VisitBritain, Visit London, the London Development Agency and all UK exhibitors to ensure a strengthened UK and Ireland region of the exhibition with a dedicated and branded entrance, introduction of the new Youth Pavilion, a co-ordinated London Pavilion and an improved communication and promotion campaign.

The World Travel Market Stage has also been relocated to the area with a strong programme of debates, presentations and features.

“The Stage remains an extremely popular heart to the exhibition”, said Ms. Jeffery, ”and is expected to attract additional visitors to the UK and Ireland region.“

Many new as well as regular well loved initiatives are featured on the WTM Stage as well as a full programme of seminars, workshops and training sessions located in the many function rooms at ExCeL.

Highlights of the Stage Programme include:

Monday 10 November

11.30 am Opening Ceremony with a focus on the 100th anniversary of powered flight.

Tuesday 11 November

10.30 am Meetings Conference and Incentive Travel Debate will spearhead the strongest and most high powered meetings and incentive travel focus ever created by World Travel Market, chaired by Mary Casey, Vice President Sales and Product Development, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide.

2.30 pm Keynote debate on the crucial and far reaching challenges facing the airline industry, in association with the publication Airline Business; this is the final hard hitting session following an unprecedented two-day conference at World Travel Market.

Wednesday 12 November

10.45 am Presentation of the Environmental Recognition Awards prior to the roving Environmental Awareness Day debate, hosted by investigative broadcaster and journalist John Stapleton – one of the most popular but controversial ‘green’ sessions to be staged anywhere in the world especially for the travel and tourism industry. The debate is supported by ABTA, United National Environmental Programme, The Travel Foundation and VISIT (Voluntary Initiatives for Sustainability in Tourism).

2.00 pm World Travel Market Business Lecture, in partnership with KPMG, with a chance to hear one of the world’s leading business speakers – Simon Woodroffe, founder of the international restaurant concept Yo! Sushi.

4.00 pm Launch of the first prestigious Sunday Times Travel Magazine Awards. The biggest selling travel magazine in the UK is presenting its first travel awards to tour operators, carriers, global hotels, resorts, spas and countries.

Thursday 13 November

11.00 am The hilarious introduction of the new interactive Adventure Game for agents, hosted by television celebrity Cheryl Baker in association with Travel Weekly, the Travel Channel, Crystal Active, part of Crystal Holidays and The Austrian National Tourist Office. The game will cover everything from skiing, climbing, kayaking, white water rafting and scuba diving to the more extreme interests like skydiving, paragliding and hang gliding.

There will be two teams – boys versus girls with a multiple retail agency battling it out with a team from an independent consortium. Prizes for the winning team plus a friend each are seven-night adventure holidays to Kaprun in the Europesportsregion, part of the Austrian province of Salzburgland, courtesy of Crystal Active, the latest brochure from Crystal Holidays, including flights, transfers and accommodation, where all their activities will be organised by the Austrian Tourist Board.

2.00 pm Return of the highly successful ‘A Question of Travel’, in association with Travel Trade Gazette, hosted by television’s Lorraine Kelly, bringing together two teams of agents to answer fun and serious industry knowledge questions.

To pre register for free and for the chance to win an ultra all inclusive Caribbean holiday for two courtesy of Sandals and Beaches resorts go to www.wtmlondon.com before the 20 October 2003.