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WTM London creating a safe forum

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WTM London – the event where Ideas Arrive – and Travel Forward – the travel and hospitality technology event co-located with WTM London – are working closely with partners and experts to ensure a safe and successful experience at ExCeL London (November 2-4, 2020).

Detailed plans are being made for every aspect of the shows, which is set to be one of the first major exhibitions to take place globally since the COVID-19 pandemic started.

The preparations were given a boost earlier this month when British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gave the green light for conferences and exhibitions to resume in October.

WTM London’s Senior Director Simon Press announced the live shows’ highlights during a virtual press conference which combined more than 200 pre-registered journalists and digital influencers from nearly 30 countries.

WTM London – November 2-4 at ExCel London

UNWTO, WTTC & WTM Ministers’ Summit Expands into New Territories

Tourism leaders from around the world will once again come together for the Ministers’ Summit – the largest annual meeting of tourism ministers – at WTM London to set out a roadmap for a safer, greener and smarter future for the sector.

Given the unprecedented scale of the challenge facing tourism, the UNWTO and WTM will partner with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which is representing the global travel and tourism private sector at the event for the first time in its history, making it the UNWTO, WTTC & WTM Ministers’ Summit. The summit will feature a day-long think-tank on Monday, November 2, during WTM London.

WTM London partners with ITIC to launch investment summit

WTM London and ITIC will come up together to host a tourism investment summit that will help recover businesses and restore travellers’ confidence after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The conference aims to explain the financial mechanisms that allow travel companies to recover and rebuild. Investment experts will also give guidelines on how to prepare for any other future global disaster.

Dr. Taleb Rifai, Chairman of ITIC and former Secretary-General of UNWTO said: “It is a great honour and a privilege for ITIC to partner with WTM, the greatest and most impactful Tourism Trade Show in the world. It will focus to prepare a comprehensive tourism recovery plan, to rebuild destinations, encourage innovation and investment, and rethink the tourism sector.”

Ibrahim Ayoub, Group CEO, MD and Organiser of ITIC said: “We are thrilled to partner with WTM for our third tourism investment conference where Ministers, Policy Makers, Tourism Leaders and Projects Owners will engage with Investors and Private Equity firms to discuss and explore new financial mechanisms and alliances in sustainable investments in the industry and readying for market recovery in the post COVID-19 era.”

New Marketing Conference and Master Class Workshop in partnership with The Five Percent

WTM London will partner with The Five Percent to launch Marketing Conference and Master Class.

The Five Percent will be hosting a one-day workshop with globally acclaimed paid traffic, branding, and marketing experts who will be sharing their knowledge on what is working right now across the businesses they work with.

The agency brings over 20 years of business training experience and due to its influential management team, it has rapidly become renowned for creating highly actionable content for entrepreneurs to improve their marketing, sales, leadership, and financial skills.

Simon Press said: “We’re looking forward to a long-lasting partnership with The Five Percent and our continued commitment to up-level and bring the world’s leading experts and expertise to our clients, partners and visitors.”

Enhanced WTM Buyers Club Program

In 2019, WTM Buyers’ Club programme was revamped to create a new and exclusive experience for buyers, exhibitors and visitors. This year the programme will be even more exclusive.

“More than ever before, WTM London will refine products in order to give attendees the best experience possible. Our exclusive approach to the Buyers’ Club will produce fantastic results, making WTM London the location for the world’s top buyers to do business and to enhance the global travel industry,” said Simon Press.

WTM Speed Networking New Format

WTM Speed networking will deliver a new format in line with new physical distancing procedures. There is a huge demand to gain access to speed networking from both exhibitors & buyers.

The new format will deliver better connections and more meetings all in a safe environment with plans being announced by the organisers in the coming weeks.

New Customer Experience

WTM London’s organisers have been liaising closely with Public Health England, the UK Government, ExCeL London and the Association of Event Venues to enable the safest possible experience in November.

Simon Press, WTM London’s Event Director, said: “This year’s event might be slightly different but visitors can expect the same great WTM experience.

“We’re working with partners to ensure we are confident in the safety measures they have in place for getting WTM and TF attendees to and from Excel. We’ll carefully manage the capacity of the venue, and make sure all protocols to allow physical distancing will be followed.

“There will also be hand sanitiser points, hygiene screens and increased cleaning schedules and every system.

“We’ll use contactless technology for interactions such as scanning badges and payments at catering outlets, and food and drinks will be pre-packaged.

“It’s exciting to think that, in just three months’ time, we will be welcoming professionals from around the world to the event where Ideas Arrive – to help our industry recover, rebuild and innovate.”

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About World Travel Market

World Travel Market (WTM) Portfolio comprises six leading travel events across four continents, generating more than $7.5 billion of industry deals. The events are:

WTM Global Hub, is the new WTM Portfolio online portal, created to connect and support travel industry professionals around the world. The resource hub offers the latest guidance and knowledge to help exhibitors, buyers and others in the travel industry face the challenges of the global coronavirus pandemic. WTM Portfolio – the parent brand for WTM London, WTM Latin America, Arabian Travel Market, WTM Africa, Travel Forward and other key travel trade events – is tapping into its global network of experts to create content for the hub.

WTM Global Hub Home

WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend three-day exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry. Around 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international media visit ExCeL London every November, generating over £3.71 billion in travel industry contracts. http://london.wtm.com/

Next event: Monday, November 2, to Wednesday, November 4, 2020 – London #IdeasArriveHere

eTurboNews is a media partner for WTM London.

#rebuildingtravel

Media Contact:

Natalia Hartmann – WTM Portfolio Press & PR

E: natalia.hartmann@reedexpo.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 8439 5535/ M: +44 (0)7775 036 858

WTM London, Travel Forward, London Travel Week: Allowed to Proceed

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The UK Government has announced the resumption of the exhibitions industry in the country as of October 1, 2020, meaning that England can once again welcome international business delegates from around the world including WTM London.

WTM London – the event where Ideas Arrive – is set to take place between November 2 and November 4, 2020 and promises to be one of the first major exhibitions to take place globally since the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This year’s event is centered on the concept of recovery, rebuild and innovate, as global travel and tourism leaders will meet to discuss the future of the industry and begin its resurgence.

The show will reflect the diverse needs of the travel and tourism industry by incorporating both a live event, at ExCeL London, as well as a virtual event taking place online the week after.

Furthermore, the leading travel technology exhibition, Travel Forward, which is co-located with WTM London at the ExCeL Centre, will also be taking place this year inspiring visitors to embrace the latest technology that will help rebuild the industry.

Encompassing both WTM London, Travel Forward and the myriad of industry events taking place across the capital, London Travel Week will happen in 2020 embracing flavors and experiences from around the world giving attendees the chance to learn, network and socialize to accelerate their business needs.

The highest standards of health and safety will be followed across all elements of the shows this year with WTM London, Travel Forward and London Travel Week adhering to UK Government guidelines on social distancing and all other aspects of COVID-19 prevention.

Visitors can be safe in the knowledge that not only will they have the chance to meet other travel and tourism professionals in person for the first time since the outbreak of COVID-19, but they will be able to do this in a safe environment too.

WTM London will be once again taking place at the premier exhibition space in the UK, ExCeL London. ExCeL has been working with the AEV (Association of Event Venues) and other key stakeholders to develop the All Secure Standard, an industry wide benchmark to enable the safe return of organized events.

The vast majority of the venue (90%) has been restored to its original state now, with the remaining space secured as equipment storage for NHS Nightingale. This ongoing support will not impact the normal operation of our venue and the center will be able to host safe, secure, and successful business events and conferences from October 1 onwards.

Throughout the pandemic, the WTM Portfolio have delivered a wide variety of events and tools designed to help the industry in its recovery. The WTM Global Hub was launched in April creating an online resource filled with webinars, blogs and videos designed to assist all aspects of the industry.

In response to the news about the resumption of the exhibition industry, WTM London’s Event Director Simon Press said: “This is truly fantastic news to hear with regards to not only our industry but also the thousands of companies we directly support through WTM London in the global travel and tourism industry.

“We look forward to welcoming people to London this November in a safe way and providing the platform to help our industry recover, rebuild and innovate. In the lead-up to the event, we will be in constant communication with the UK Government with regards to plans surrounding the NHS Nightingale hospital in London making sure to find a solution for all parties involved.

“By hosting both a live and virtual event as part of WTM London 2020 we will be providing a truly essential service for the global travel and tourism industry as it looks to rebound heading into 2021. We look forward to welcoming you once again to the event where Ideas Arrive – WTM London”.

About World Travel Market

World Travel Market (WTM) Portfolio comprises nine leading travel events across four continents, generating more than $7.5 billion of industry deals. The events are:

WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend three-day exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry. Around 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international media visit ExCeL London every November, generating over £3.71 billion in travel industry contracts. http://london.wtm.com/

Next event: Monday, November 2 to Wednesday, November 4, 2020 – London #IdeasArriveHere

Travel Forward London is the leading travel technology event, co-located with WTM London. Travel Forward is renowned for showcasing the next-generation technologies for the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. Over 19,000 travel officials and 150+ innovative solution providers attend for 3 days of cutting-edge insights, open debate and unrivalled networking opportunities. The combination of a 2-day conference, interactive exhibition and Startup showcase makes Travel Forward truly unique. http://travelforward.wtm.com/

Next event: Monday, November 2 to Wednesday, November 4, 2020 – London #NeverStandStill

London Travel Week, brought to you by WTM London, is the one-stop-shop for event hosts and visitors to be able to shape the next 12 months of travel together. The festival of events supports the global travel and tourism industry through capturing invaluable news and enhancing industry connections. https://londontravelweek.wtm.com/.

Next event: Friday, October 30 to Thursday, November 6, 2020

Media Contact: Natalia Hartmann – WTM Portfolio Press & PR Executive, E: natalia.hartmann@reedexpo.co.uk , T: +44 (0)20 8439 5535/ M: +44 (0)7775 036 858

WTM Global Hub on Technology, Customer Loyalty and COVID-19

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WTM Global Hub – WTM Portfolio’s new online portal – and Travel Forward – the leading travel technology event in travel & hospitality – are hosting a free-to-view webinar which will focus on how technology can help travel companies negotiate COVID-19 and come out the other side with a loyal customer base.

“The future of loyalty in tourism: What are we learning from the COVID-19 crisis?” takes place on Wednesday, May 27, at 14:00 (BST). A panel of experts from across the industry will outline how their own tech stack coped during the crisis.

They will share practical insights about how COVID-19 is shaping their tech strategy moving forward and what the wider industry can learn from their experience.

The speakers will cover topics such as refund policies, seamless payments, new tech, customer experience and cybersecurity.

Paul Richer, senior partner at travel tech consultancy Genesys Digital Transformation, will moderate the webinar. He founded Genesys 25 years ago during the first dotcom boom and has been active in the travel tech space ever since.

He is a regular moderator for many high-profile digital travel conferences in Europe. His long-term involvement with travel tech gives him a deep, practical and global experience of best-in-class strategies, technology and business processes.

The new world of tech is represented by Maksim Izmaylov, a serial entrepreneur with the background in software engineering and law.

He is part of the conversation as CEO of Winding Tree, a travel-specific blockchain-based distribution platform which makes trips cheaper for travellers and more profitable for suppliers by removing middlemen from the equation.

His other startup, Roomstorm, partners with industry-leading accommodation providers to enable the seamless and automated booking of hotel rooms to airline passengers during flight disruptions. He also set up Travel Tech Con, an  independent travel technology conference for startups and engineers.

Kelly Cookes, meanwhile, represents the traditional side of the business as leisure director of Advantage Travel Partnerships. The UK-based consortium of independent agents turns over more than £4.5 billion in travel sales a year.

Her strengths lie in commercial negotiation, sales, partnerships management and senior management. She spent most of her career with Thomas Cook, joining its graduate scheme and moving up the ranks to become head of commercial partnerships.

She joined Advantage in October 2019, driving the leisure strategy and overseeing leisure agencies as well as its marketing, commercial and digital business.

Payment providers are more visible in the market these days, with many travel companies realising the importance of making it easy for customers to actually pay for the product.

The third panelist is Petya Milkova, head of business development for Wirecard, a German-based payments technology specialist. She is developing a global sales strategy, targeting its payment processing, outsourcing and white label products to the hospitality market.

Her experience before Wirecard include nearly ten years at booking.com.

Richard Gayle, Event Manager, Travel Forward, said: “Customer loyalty will be an even bigger issue for travel companies as the market adjusts to the impact of COVID 19.

“Our three guests are leading the field when it comes to using tech to build and maintain a loyal base of customers, while our moderator has the experience to keep the conversations on topic and make sure that webinar attendees will come away with some new insights and fresh ideas.”

Launched on April 23, WTM Global Hub aims to support travel industry professionals around the world.

WTM Portfolio – the parent brand for Travel Forward, WTM London, WTM Latin America, Arabian Travel Market, WTM Africa, and other key travel trade events – is tapping into its global network of experts to create exceptional content for the hub.

Part of the Global Hub content will be provided in Spanish and Portuguese by WTM Latin America, which will also be adding Latin American webinars.

Along with interactive webinars, other content from industry experts includes podcasts; a library of videos; blogs; responsible tourism and travel technology news; and ‘Your Travel Community’, featuring positive updates from travel professionals about how they are supporting the industry and others.

WTM Global Hub can be found at http://hub.wtm.com/

#IdeasArriveHere #TogetherWeStand #OneTravelIndustry #RoadToRecovery #TravelIndustry #EuropeanTourism #SaveTourism #TogetherInTravel

World Travel Market (WTM) Portfolio comprises nine leading travel events across four continents, generating more than $7.5 billion of industry deals.

#rebuildingtravel

Media Contact:

Natalia Hartmann – WTM Portfolio Press & PR

E: natalia.hartmann@reedexpo.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 8439 5535/ M: +44 (0)7775 036 858

BBC Global News join WTM’s Sustainability Week webinar program

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World Travel Market is hosting two online seminars as part of next week’s WTM Sustainability Week webinar program, with representatives from broadcast and magazine media sharing their thoughts on how the media is reacting to the changing face of travel amid COVID-19.

Session one, The New Normal? Country Branding at the time of COVID-19… and after, is hosted by BBC Global News, and will start at 2pm BST on May 19.

In a world reshaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, the session will look at how the travel & tourism marketing industry will evolve, what future trends might be, and how the industry will react to them.  Discussing the past, present and possible future of the travel industry, the session will delve into the shifting consumer mind set and, ultimately, what this might mean for communication strategies for travel brands.

Taking part in the WTM Sustainability Week webinar session is Samantha Adams, vice president, advertising sales, Western Europe, BBC Global News. She will be joined by colleagues Alex Greenwood, senior content strategist, and Alessio Nesi, Associate Director (Production and Delivery), from BBC StoryWorks, the content marketing studio of BBC Global News.

In session two, Lyn Hughes, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Wanderlust magazine, will draw on her experience of travelling the globe and her belief in tourism as a force for good, benefiting local communities, wildlife and the natural world.

The session called Tourism post-COVID: the challenges and opportunities for a more sustainable travel industry starts at 2 pm BST on May 21 and will look at how the travel industry can rebuild in the next months and years and whether it will be more or less sustainable than before. The discussion will assess what we can learn from our response to the coronavirus crisis to better prepare us to address the climate emergency.

Hughes will be speaking with Jeremy Smith, WTM sustainable tourism expert and co-founder of Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency. As well as regularly advising on strategy and communications, Smith recently launched Resilient Destinations, a website created in response to the current Coronavirus emergency to collect and share stories and resources to ensure a sustainable tourism response.

Virtual attendees of the WTM Sustainability Week webinar will have the opportunity to ask questions of the media experts during both of the sessions.

Click to register:

  • Tuesday – May 19, 2020 at 2 pm BST

The New Normal? Country Branding at the time of COVID-19… and after

Hosted by BBC Global News

Tuesday 19th May 2pm BST – The New Normal? Country Branding at the time of Covid-19… and after
  • Thursday – May 21, 2020 at 2 pm BST

Tourism post-COVID: the challenges and opportunities for a more sustainable travel industry

Hosted by Wanderlust magazine

https://www.brighttalk.com/webcast/18179/410000?utm_source=Reed+Exhibitions&utm_medium=brighttalk&utm_campaign=410000

Launched on April 23, WTM Global Hub aims to support travel industry professionals around the world.

WTM Portfolio – the parent brand for WTM London, WTM Latin America, Arabian Travel Market, WTM Africa, Travel Forward and other key travel trade events – is tapping into its global network of experts to create exceptional content for the hub.

Part of the Global Hub content will be provided in Spanish and Portuguese by WTM Latin America, which will also be adding Latin American webinars.

Along with interactive webinars, other content from industry experts includes podcasts; a library of videos; blogs; responsible tourism and travel technology news; and ‘Your Travel Community’, featuring positive updates from travel professionals about how they are supporting the industry and others.

WTM Global Hub can be found at http://hub.wtm.com/

#IdeasArriveHere #TogetherWeStand #OneTravelIndustry #RoadToRecovery #TravelIndustry #EuropeanTourism #SaveTourism #TogetherInTravel

More news about WTM.

#rebuildingtravel

MEDIA CONTACT: Natalia Hartmann, Portfolio Press & PR Executive, World Travel Market, Tel. +44 (0) 20 8439 5535, Mobile. +44 (0) 7775 036 858

Aviation consultant to host ‘Airlines in Crisis’ webinar for WTM Global Hub

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WTM Global Hub – WTM Portfolio’s new online portal – will host a webinar on Thursday, May 14, at 2 pm BST with respected UK aviation expert John Strickland, Director of JLS Consulting. Called Airlines in Crisis – What is the Prognosis for the Aftermath of COVID-19?, the online event will explore the devastating impact of COVID-19 on airlines and airports across the globe – and what the future may hold for the sector.

As the pandemic spread worldwide from February onwards, lockdowns and travel bans have meant the aviation sector is facing crippling financial losses and widespread job cuts.

With fleets grounded, British Airways looks set to lose about 12,000 jobs, while Virgin Atlantic and Ryanair have both announced more than 3,000 job cuts each. Virgin has also withdrawn from Gatwick.

IAG Group – which owns BA, Aer Lingus and Iberia – hopes to operate flights from July at the earliest if lockdown measures are relaxed. But it does not expect passenger demand to recover before 2023.

With more than 37 years of experience in the air transport industry, Strickland advises airports, airlines, and other industry partners, and regularly appears on TV and in newspapers to comment on the market.

During the webinar, he will scrutinize the response of the aviation sector so far and analyse the flight path to recovery.

Without billions in state support, it is feared some airlines could collapse and those carriers that do survive will be significantly smaller, with dramatic changes to networks and business models for “the new normal.”

Attendees will also be able to ask questions during the webinar about issues that affect their businesses and customers.

Claude Blanc, WTM Portfolio Director, said: “John is much respected in the travel industry for his expert insights and he has moderated many aviation debates at WTM events over the years.

“Our webinar will offer attendees an unrivalled opportunity to hear his well-informed observations about the future shape of the aviation industry and to ask questions about possible ways forward.

“There are so many challenging issues affecting air travel: why are passengers struggling to get refunds for cancelled flights; how will travellers pass through airports; will we need masks and empty middle seats on planes; and what about quarantine and lockdown restrictions in holiday destinations? 

“All these and more are very difficult hurdles for aviation to overcome, so John’s knowledge and advice will be essential for industry professionals seeking a way out of this crisis.

“Our previous three webinars have proved to be very popular, attracting thousands of travel trade attendees from a range of sectors, who have been watching from all parts of the world.”

“Airlines in Crisis – What is the Prognosis for the Aftermath of COVID-19?” starts at 2 pm BST on May 14 and will be the fourth webinar on the resource platform.

Previous webinars have been held by Oxford Economics; travel journalist Simon Calder; and Nick Hall of the Digital Tourism Think Tank with Jeremy Jauncey – the founder and Chief Executive of travel website Beautiful Destinations.

Launched on April 23, WTM Global Hub aims to support travel industry professionals around the world.

WTM Portfolio – the parent brand for WTM London, WTM Latin America, Arabian Travel Market, WTM Africa, Travel Forward and other key travel trade events – is tapping into its global network of experts to create exceptional content for the hub.

Part of the Global Hub content will be provided in Spanish and Portuguese by WTM Latin America, which will also be adding Latin American webinars.

Along with interactive webinars, other content from industry experts includes podcasts; a library of videos; blogs; responsible tourism and travel technology news; and “Your Travel Community,” featuring positive updates from travel professionals about how they are supporting the industry and others.

WTM Global Hub can be found at http://hub.wtm.com/ .

#IdeasArriveHere #TogetherWeStand #OneTravelIndustry #RoadToRecovery #TravelIndustry #EuropeanTourism #SaveTourism #TogetherInTravel

#rebuildingtravel

About World Travel Market

World Travel Market (WTM) Portfolio comprises nine leading travel events across four continents, generating more than $7.5 billion of industry deals. The events are:

WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend three-day exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry. Around 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international media visit ExCeL London every November, generating over £3.71 billion in travel industry contracts. http://london.wtm.com/

Next event: Monday, November 2, to Wednesday, November 4, 2020 – London #IdeasArriveHere

MEDIA CONTACT: Natalia Hartmann, Portfolio Press & PR Executive, World Travel Market , Tel. +44 (0) 20 8439 5535, Mobile. +44 (0) 7775 036 858

WTM: ‘No easy answers’ when it comes to promoting controversial countries

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Bloggers have urged writers and travelers at World Travel Market (WTM) London to do their own research about countries with ‘morally questionable’ regimes.

In a debate at WTM London about the ethics of promoting controversial countries, American blogger Kerwin McKenzie advised delegates: “Don’t jump on the bandwagon. It happens a lot on social media – but let’s talk about it, do your research, ask friends.

“If you can talk to the locals, that is good.”

He recalled being in Zimbabwe, where he saw people queuing to enter from Zambia, as their livelihood depending on selling to tourists.

“Think about the people rather than the governments,” he commented.

“Be respectful in other countries. Don’t be rude, especially on social media, and be careful as you may be wrong.”

London-based travel blogger Julie Falconer said boycotting certain destinations may “hurt the people rather than the regime”.

“Influencers can call attention to issues and that might change things, so we should consider engaging,” she said.

“If you think being there will do more good than harm, then you should go.”
But she agreed that many travel writers and content creators were not comfortable with criticising the politics of a destination.

“Some people are better equipped to talk about issues. I sometimes talk about political issues in my blog but people would not read it if I talked about politics all the time,” she added.

Michael Ball, moderator and co-founder of Traverse, an influencer marketing and events company, admitted he is privileged as a “white, middle-class British male”, because he can go to places that gay friends might avoid.

WTM London 2019 sees increase in industry leaders

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WTM London 2019 – the event where ideas arrive – saw a 77% increase in ministerial attendance as well as a higher quality of WTM Buyers’ Club Members. It confirms WTM London as the place for senior travel professionals to interact, connect and understand the trends that will determine the future of the tourism industry.

In total, almost 50,000 visitors from 182 countries attended the three-day event at ExCeL London. There were around 1.2 million business meetings conducted and over 110 conference sessions held. This all contributed to a total of £3.75 billion worth of travel industry business deals being signed.

This year the WTM Buyers’ Club was re-formatted to include a stricter vetting process, which focused on inviting only the top industry buyers with the best reputation and purchasing power.

During the event itself, many landmark deals were signed for the travel and tourism industry. These included a deal between easyJet and Atout France that will see a €1 million advertising campaign launched in the UK to promote French destinations.

In addition to this, several large booking deals occurred at the event this year, which will see clients such as Saudi Arabia, Indonesia and the Seychelles secure increased stand-space heading into the 2020 edition of WTM London.

Furthermore, as this was the 40th anniversary of WTM London, this was a show with a difference. Celebrations took place across the regional inspiration zones to mark the significance of this anniversary, with countries from around the world bringing a slice of their unique culture to London.

The event programme for WTM London continued to advance to reflect the modern trends dominating the travel industry. There were sessions on topics as diverse as responsible tourism, LGBT travel, aviation and the crucial role of technology in the future of travel – thus creating a conference programme filled with fascinating content.

With high-profile events such as the annual Leaders’ Lunch and the UNWTO & WTM Ministerial Summit, tourism ministers flocked to the event; there was a 77% increase, taking it from 43 Ministers in 2018 to 76 this year.

The co-located Travel Forward event also saw similar successes this year with visitors experiencing the latest in travel technology. In only its second year as a dedicated travel technology show and conference – exhibitor stand space at Travel Forward increased by 9%, including 49 new exhibitors debuting their companies to the global travel industry.

Highlights of the innovative Travel Forward conference programme included sessions from leaders in the travel tech industry such as Sector Director for Travel UK at Google, Becky Power, and Managing Director of Virgin Hyperloop One in the Middle East & India, Harj Dhaliwal – to name only two. All of the 33 sessions covered insightful topics outlining how the future of travel will look alongside the next developments in technology.

London Travel Week was officially launched over the first week of November and encapsulated the various events surrounding WTM London throughout the capital. With tens of thousands of senior travel professionals ascending on London for WTM, London Travel Week’s diverse collection of networking sessions, conferences and awards helped to create a truly global hub for the travel and tourism industry.

WTM London’s Senior Exhibition Director, Simon Press said: “WTM London 2019 was unquestionably a great success. We are delighted to have been able to facilitate the business and creative connections of 50,000 attendees, exhibitors, buyers and media in order to form the future of the travel industry.

“By welcoming almost 80 Tourism Ministers and increasing the quality of Buyers’ Club members at the event this year, it proves that WTM London is not only the event where ideas arrive, but where decisions are made.

“We challenge ourselves to keep developing this event and to make sure that everyone who travels to WTM London, Travel Forward and London Travel Week – as well as BorderlessLive in September – gets the best possible experience.

“With more than £3.75 billion worth of deals being generated at WTM London 2019 – this has shown how crucial it is to attend from a business perspective. We are incredibly proud of all that WTM London has achieved in the last 40 years and can’t wait to see how it develops over the next forty years.”

eTN is a media partner for WTM London.

About World Travel Market

World Travel Market (WTM) portfolio comprises eight leading B2B events across four continents, generating more than $7 billion of industry deals. The events are:

WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend three-day exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry. About 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international media visit ExCeL London every November, generating about £3.4 billion in travel industry contracts.

Next event: Monday 4 – Wednesday 6 November 2019 – London #IdeasArriveHere

About Reed Exhibitions

Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events business, enhancing the power of face-to-face through data and digital tools at more than 500 events a year, in more than 43 countries, attracting more than seven million participants. Reed’s events are held in the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa and organised by 41 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions serves 43 industry sectors with trade and consumer events. It is part of RELX Group plc, a world-leading provider of information solutions for professional customers across industries.

About Reed Travel Exhibitions

Reed Travel Exhibitions is the world’s leading travel and tourism event’s organiser with a growing portfolio of more than 22 international travel and tourism trade events in Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Our events are market leaders in their sectors, whether they are global and regional leisure travel trade events, or specialist events for meetings, incentives, conference, events (MICE) industry, business travel, luxury travel, travel technology as well as golf, spa and ski travel. We have more than 35 years’ experience in organising world-leading travel exhibitions.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Julia Newbound – WTM Portfolio Press & PR Lead

E: julia.newbound@reedexpo.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 8910 7056 / M: +44 (0)7775 036 858

Nicole Smart – WTM Portfolio PR & Events Consultant

E: nicole.smart@reedexpo.co.uk

T: +44 (0)20 8910 7032/ M: +44 (0)79 1955 5510

Another successful World Travel Market for the Seychelles

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The Seychelles islands sparkled through its strong delegation at the 40th edition of the World Travel Market (WTM), held from November 4, 2019 to November 6, 2019 at ExCel London.

Representatives from various sectors of the Seychelles tourism industry were present at the WTM, showcasing the destination in all its splendour as one of the must visit destination around the world.

Seychelles featured at this key UK event alongside the biggest countries and brands around the world

The Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Mr. Didier Dogley, who was present at the Seychelles stand for the opening of the fair, led the Seychelles delegation.

During the 3-day event, the Seychelles stand, which consisted of members of Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) team and trade partners working in unison to charm the many WTM visitors to the beauties of Seychelles.

Representatives from Maia Luxury Resort, Hilton Seychelles, Kempinski Seychelles Resort, Coco-de-Mer hotel (and Black Parrot Suites), Eden Bleu, the H Resort Beau Vallon and Savoy Resort & Spa were present on the accommodation providers side. Representing the destination management companies were 7 Degrees South, Creole Travel Services, Mason’s Travel, and Satguru Travel.

The Seychellois Company Maz Million was also represented, present at WTM promoting the Maz Luxury Seychelles Tourism Lottery.

The STB team was represented by its Chief Executive Mrs. Sherin Francis; the Regional Director for Europe, Mrs. Bernadette Willemin; the Director for UK and Ireland, Ms. Christine Vel; Senior Marketing Executive, Ms. Mavreen Pouponneau and Marketing Executive, Ms. Eloise Vidot.

While in London, Minister Dogley and Mrs. Francis conducted various meetings with travel trade professionals and interviews with high-profile media.

Commenting on the marketing mission, Mrs. Francis stated the importance of the destination’s presence at such events. 

“The destination’s participating in such fairs is not only a platform for the visibility through the media exposure throughout the events but also provides a perfect opportunity for our local partners to meet the various Tour Operators and Travel Agents in the UK to discuss their plans for 2020,” said Mrs. Francis.

STB’s Director for UK & Ireland Christine Vel expressed her satisfaction for another successful year on the market.

 ‘’The arrival figures have increased by 10% compared to the same period last year.  We expect this trend to continue and further develop our business together with the support of local Seychelles trade partners which will keep the growing confidence of the UK & Irish travel operators and agent in continuing to sell the destination and increase the sales figures,”

Since its start four decades ago, WTM London facilitates £2.8 billion in industry deals and has around 5,000 exhibitors from 182 countries and regions and more than 51,000 participants.

Last year WTM London sparked a million meetings, resulting in around £3 billion in contracts.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel

Jamaica and Panama to establish multi-destination arrangement, says Minister Bartlett

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Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has announced that Jamaica and the Republic of Panama is set to establish a multi destination arrangement, as part of efforts to strengthen tourism relations between both countries.

This announcement follows discussions with Minister of Tourism for Panama, His Excellency Ivan Alfaro, and Minister Bartlett at the World Travel Market (WTM) in London yesterday.

“Multi destination tourism is a strategy to increase the product offerings of the respective destinations but more so to enable better air connectivity between markets particularly, for long haul destinations. With this multi destination arrangement, Panama will become a hub for long haul flights and Emirates and Air China are among the two targeted carriers,” said Minister Bartlett.

The Jamaica Tourist Board and the Panamanian Tourism Authority will meet to conclude details of the arrangement by January 2020 for signing during FITUR in Spain.

“The second area of collaboration will be to explore how we can better leverage the Jamaican Diaspora that has contributed to the cultural enrichment of Panama.

The third and final area of collaboration will be resilience building in the region, which will include the establishment of a satellite Global Resilience and Crisis Management Centre at an agreed university in Panama,” added Minister Bartlett.

Jamaica has had diplomatic relations with Panama since 1966. Currently, COPA Airlines, which is the flag carrier of Panama, operates eleven (11) flights weekly into Jamaica.

The WTM is a major promotional platform for the JTB and features many Jamaican companies, creating the ideal opportunity to meet industry professionals and conduct business deals.

Minister Bartlett, who is participating in WTM as part of efforts to increase outbound travels from the UK, Northern Europe, Russia, Scandinavia and Nordic region to grow arrivals from these markets, will return to the island on November 8.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

Global Oversight of Travel Advisories Needed, says Bartlett

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The Minister of Tourism for Jamaica, Hon Edmund Bartlett is taking an important step in saying there is a need for global oversight of travel advisories issued for destinations. The Minister made the call at the World Travel Market (WTM), which is being staged in London November 4 to 2019.

Speaking on a WTM panel discussion on ‘Taking responsibility for Safety and Security’, Minister Bartlett said, “this call for global oversight is being made in the context of the significance of tourism as a main economic driver in an increasing number of countries and implications that these advisories can have on the economic viability and stability of countries who are heavily tourism-dependent.”

Travel warnings or advisories are issued by governments to enable travelers to make an informed decision about a particular travel destination and to help travelers prepare adequately for what may be encountered on their trip.

Minister Bartlett, who also made the call at the launch of the World Travel and Tourism Council Crisis Readiness Report in partnership with Global Rescue which was held today during WTM, said whilst Jamaica has not been severely impacted by travel advisories there are other countries who have been.

Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon Najib Balala, also agreed with the sentiment and highlighted the negative impact of old information regarding security and safety issues remaining for years on platforms such as websites, even after the event shave passed.

Globally, tourism represents 10 percent of global GDP and employs 1 in 10 workers of the world. Some small and highly dependent tourism countries have GDP dependence of up to 90 percent as is the case in of a number of Caribbean countries.

“Travel advisories weigh heavily on the decisions of tourists to visit destinations. Many times, these advisories do not have timely review and consequently continue to carry a perspective on the destination which may long have changed thus putting at risk the economic viability of those communities.

There should be a global body that offers some oversight in the area and would intervene on behalf of some of these countries to have adjusted advisories that reflect a more accurate picture as to what is happening,” Minister Bartlett said.

The WTM is a major promotional platform for the JTB. It will feature many Jamaican companies, creating the ideal opportunity to meet industry professionals and conduct business deals. Through its industry networks, the WTM also creates personal and business opportunities while also providing customers with quality contacts, content and communities.

During the WTM, Minister Bartlett will also use the opportunity to increase in outbound travels from the UK, Northern Europe, Russia, Scandinavia, and Nordic region to grow arrivals from these markets.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944