WTM: The Verdict

Over 30 readers have added their comments on WTM. See what they say:
29-Nov-2002 WTM: What did you think?

An overwhelming 86 percent of readers commenting on this year’s WTM said they preferred the venue, but over half said getting there was a problem.

There was no shortage of positive feedback regarding ExCel. TravelMole readers on the whole thought the venue was spacious and easier to navigate than Earls Court.

Thomas Power, director of Pura Aventura active holidays said: “ExCel is clearly a superior space. Far easier to navigate, much more pleasant surroundings and generally better suited to helping me acheive my objectives in visiting WTM”.

David Steer, director of IPP (International Passenger Protection) said: “I particularly appreciated the exhibition being on one level, the spaciousness and the central boulevard with its uncrowded eating places.”

Not everyone agreed, a couple of our readers said they had to queue a long time for over-priced food. When the TravelMole team tried to get a sit-down lunch at two of ExCel’s restaurants, we were told they were booked until the following day. There were also complaints from our readers about the lounge facilities being overcrowded.

While the main halls were generally thought of as easy to navigate, our readers had something else to say about the conference rooms on the second level. TravelMole reader, Alaister McKenzie said : “I spent ages in that endless and featureless corridor trying to find the right rooms”.

The biggest gripe, however was transport, with over 50 percent of readers who commented saying they had a long or difficult journey.

David Beasley, executive director of Empowered Solutions, said his car journey from West Midlands took four hours in both directions, and said signage for parking at ExCel was poor. TravelMole reader, David McGregor said it took him three hours from Basingstoke, and said traffic around the Docklands was congested.

Many travelling on public transport didn’t have any more luck – John Hajdu, director of Clarion Consultants said the DLR coped badly with demand. TravelMole readers, Alaister McKenzie and Geoff Dykes both argued the need for a through-train from Bank and Tower Gateway.

John Lewisohn said: “The fact that you have to change trains at Westferry to get to ExCel is just a pain bearing in mind nearly all delegates will probably have had to change at least once just to get to Westferry”.

In reponse to our reader comments, WTM Event Manager Graeme Barnett told TravelMole that while the organisers had put a huge amount of effort into working with all the transport service providers, he conceded that “most of the complaints were about getting there.”

Mr Barnett admitted that they “are never going to get over people’s perception of it [Excel] as being far out of town.” However, he pointed out that “Everyone forgets what a nightmare it was leaving Earls Court at 6pm – you couldn’t get across the Warwick Rd sometimes.”

Although the DLR laid on 26 new trains beforehand, Mr Barnett admitted that they hadn’t quite anticipated that so many people would travel through Bank; the organisers thought that most would come on the Jubilee Line. Mr Barnett explained for next year they are considering laying on direct trains from Bank.

He said that one thing they hope to make more of is utilising the Thames, though he admitted travelling by river will be slower.

Mr Barnett said that one of the major things that was lost in the move from Earls Court was being able to have the centre stage as the focal point of the event.

He told TravelMole: “We will now be looking into whether we should have one at all, and where to have it. Any area we use will not be as central as at Earls Court. We put it in the Northern Halls because we thought they might be less busy, and it would draw people to them, but they were just as busy in the end.”

What did you think? We are still interested in hearing your views on WTM 2002 – just click on the “Add a Comment” button at the top right-hand corner. We will be publishing a response from WTM organisers next week.

Over 30 readers have added their comments on WTM, see what they say!:
29-Nov-2002 WTM: What did you think?