WTM 2016 ‘most successful ever’
World Travel Market London 2016 was the most successful ever, say the organisers, with a joint-record attendance of 51,500 and the highest number of exhibitor invitees and buyers in the event’s 37-year history.
Their move to shorten the event to three instead of four days and to extend the opening hours from 10am to 8pm was ‘phenomenally well-received’, they said.
In total, WTM was attended by 51,444 senior industry executives, 4% more than last year. The increase pushed total participant numbers back to the level achieved in 2014 – a record for the event, which launched in 1980.
Exhibitor invitees on the first day were up by 9% and there was a 6% rise in WTM Buyers’ Club attendees.
Total visitor numbers – excluding press, ministers, ministers’ aides and students – reached 31,951 – a 5% increase on WTM London 2015.
Organisers said more than £2.5 billion in industry deals were negotiated and signed during the event.
More than 3,000 international media were in attendance – the highest number for more than 10 years, possibly due to the rise in media bloggers. WTM claimed its International Press Centre is now the largest recurring press operation in the UK.
World Travel Market London senior director Simon Press said: "The record number of participants, exhibitor invitees and WTM Buyers’ Club members is testament to the success of the new-look three-day WTM London and demonstrates all the key decision-makers and those with purchasing responsibility attend WTM London."
Audited figures for WTM London 2016 will be available in the New Year.
WTM London 2017 will take place at ExCeL, London from November 6 to 8.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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