World Travel Market London, the most influential travel and tourism event in the world, opens today at Excel London with over 40,000 travel professionals set to attend the 44th edition of the event.

 

On track to host the most exhibitors the show has ever seen, WTM London has reported a 7% growth in exhibitor numbers this year, with over 4,000 global tourism boards, hoteliers, transport services, technology brands, associations and experiences set to will take to the halls of Excel London for three days of business till November 7. 

 

It’s estimated that in excess of £2.2 billion worth of business deals will be signed this year at the event, said a WTM press release.

 

There has been significant growth amongst the destination market, with a 9 per cent increase in destination participation. Over 135 National Tourism Organisations will be in attendance, with a huge volume of regions and cities joining them.

 

Africa is the fastest growing region of the event, which follows proactive and diligent strategies implemented by nations such as Morocco and Egypt in a post-pandemic world.

 

There has been a significant increase in non-destination travel brands exhibiting at WTM London, with a 71 per cent increase in exhibitor participation from companies aligning themselves to the new ‘Experiences’ zone within the event. The show has seen a 22 per cent growth in accommodation brands and a 16 per cent growth from exhibitors in the technology sector.

 

Exhibitors attending for the first time include KOS Island, Viet Experiences Travel, China Nimbus Travel, Nimax Theatres, Kuoni Tumlare, Jabal Omar Co, Latvia Travel, Grand Prix Grand Tours, Corendon Airlines, Barclaycard Payments, Riyadh Air, Regnum Hotels, Addison Lee & Stripe Payments, among others.

 

The Greek National Tourism Organisation is the event’s Premier Partner this year, showcasing the destination’s dynamic cultural experiences and year-round opportunities.

 

Also WTM has expanded its coverage on diversity, equity, accessibility, inclusion and intersectionality this year with a dedicated DEAI Summit and networking drinks on Tuesday, the opening day of the event.

 

The Tuesday line-up also features a session on how the travel and hospitality product must evolve to meet the needs of all travellers, no matter their backgrounds, abilities or identities. This theme is developed on the following day (Wednesday 6 November) with a run of sessions taking place in the Orange Theatre.

 

Topics include how destinations of all sizes can attract visitors by making nature-based and cultural visitor experiences accessible to all, particularly those with physical, cognitive or neuro disabilities. Another session offers insight into indigenous tourism and how the industry can ensure that connecting travellers with the rich heritage, traditions, and wisdom of indigenous communities is done respectfully and equitably.

 

World Travel Market is also announcing a series of enhancements to its event commitments and facilities, ensuring WTM remains a safe space for all. The WTM Official Conference Programme commits to 50 per cent of speakers partaking from underrepresented groups, while all stages will be fitted with closed captioning, and ramp access. The event will have a ‘Reset Room’ – a quiet space for those with neurodiverse needs, and sunflower lanyards for those with hidden disabilities.

 

There will be gender neutral restroom facilities and the option to add pronouns to official event badges. The event will provide multi-faith rooms for prayer, and a host of other facilities to ensure WTM remains a place where everyone is welcome.

 

World Travel Market is placing Regenerative Tourism at the forefront of its Sustainability Summit, taking place at Excel London on Wednesday 6 November 2024.

 

Overseen by the show’s sustainability advisor Tina O’Dwyer, a leading expert in sustainable tourism and driving impactful campaigns, the three-hour Summit will focus on the core theme of using travel as a force for good, coinciding with the show’s overarching theme of ‘TravelPower’.

 

Meanwhile, the event will contribute approximately £200 million to the London economy in just a week’s time. According to VisitBritain data, international delegates visiting the UK for a trade show on average spend £352 per day, which estimates a total visitor spend of £71,215,218. In a recent report from Deloitte, they suggested that for every £1,000 spent, a further £1,800 is generated in direct tourism gross value, totalling an impressive £200 million injection from WTM London into the economy.

 

WTM London estimates that 82% of attendees are international visitors who are spending money on transport, accommodation, and entertainment during their time in the city. 40% of visitors are spending three days in London for the event, 33% are spending at least seven days in city and 9% of international visitors are staying in the capital for at least nine days.

 

Juliette Losardo, Exhibitor Director, WTM London, comments: “While the travel trade are busy curating that £2.2 billion worth of travel and tourism deals during World Travel Market, we’re proud that WTM also has such a significant impact on our host city of London. The range of accommodation, world-class dining and wealth of attractions the city has to offer, are a real draw for our attendees, many of whom use WTM London as an opportunity to tag on leisure days and, in doing so, boost spend for the economy.” -TradeArabia News Service