WORLD Travel Market bosses have begun a
confidence-building campaign amid fears that delegates will turn their backs on
this year’s show at ExCel.
Concern that exhibitors are reluctant to make the switch
from Earl’s Court to the hi-tech London Docklands venue has prompted organisers
to set out to prove the show will be a huge success.
The major worry among European exhibitors is ExCel’s
isolated location which, combined with the lack of local hotel accommodation,
could mean a tough journey from central London.
Speaking at the European Tour Operators’ Association
workshop in London, WTM group exhibitions director Fiona Jeffrey admitted that
the foreign perception of Docklands and fears over journey times were major
stumbling blocks, even though sales for this year’s event are going well.
Jeffrey outlined a series of initiatives aimed at
improving transport to and from Docklands during the show. These include a
low-price WTM travelcard to get people to use the Docklands Light Railway.
“We are aware of the concerns, particularly those over
transport,” said Jeffrey. “But we will have solutions in place to ensure people
don’t have to wait a long time when leaving, even during the busiest periods.”
Jeffrey estimated the maximum daily attendance for WTM
this year would be 39,200 – 15% up on last year. At the busiest time – in the
hour after closure – 15,000 delegates could be leaving the area.
DLR services will be upped from one train every seven
minutes to one every two minutes, effectively clearing 11,400 people in an
hour. Shuttle buses and taxis will move the rest, along with private traffic.
ExCel boasts a large car park.
Although European delegates welcomed the news, ETOA
executive director Tom Jenkins said WTM must run without a hitch this year if
his members are to keep their faith in the show.
He said: “The feeling is that
operators will give it a chance because facilities at ExCel are superb. If 2002
is a disaster in terms of transport people might not return. They have to be
convinced it is worth the effort.”