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WORLD Travel Market is gearing up to celebrate its
silver anniversary with the biggest exhibition in the show’s
25th history.
Organisers expect 5,000 exhibitors to attend to show, which
takes place at ExCeL from November 8-11. In total, 194 countries
will be represented, with Uzbekistan, Gabon, Mali and Lesotho
having a presence for the first time.
Bermuda will have its own stand at the show after a seven-year
absence, while Libya and Nigeria have also returned.
Official figures reveal a record WTM this year, with the space
taken by exhibitors up 4.6% on 2003.
The Middle East region represents the biggest expansion at the
show with more exhibition space and support by a number of airline
exhibitors including Qatar Airways, Emirates and Saudi Arabian
Airlines.
The overall exhibition area for Europe has increased by 1,000 sq
ft, while Asia is also making a healthy return to the show, with 6%
more suppliers present compared with 2003.
Group exhibition director Fiona Jeffery said the response was
better than expected, given three difficult years for the travel
industry, which saw the SARS epidemic, terrorism and economic
problems all take their toll.
“If you put the exhibitor figures against the current difficult
economic climate, it’s a better result than I would have
expected,” she said.
“The market is improving and business is picking up. The
industry is feeling positive and exhibitors and delegates are using
WTM to build on the increase in business,” she added.
Guest of honour at the show will be Olympic gold medallist
Sebastian Coe, who will officially open WTM
Now Lord Coe, he took gold in the Moscow Olympic Games in 1980
– the year WTM was launched. He is currently in charge of
London’s bid to host the 2012 Olympics.
To mark the show’s silver anniversary, Coe will present
Silver Awards to individuals and companies who have made a
significant achievement in the development of tourism.
There will also be a video screening of the biggest news events
of the past 25 years.
The opening ceremony will kick off with a parade of flags from
all of WTM’s participating countries and regions by young
performing arts students from The Performers College, Corringham,
Essex.
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