WTM: Pledge to improve transport

October 28, 2004, 14:00

TRANSPORT has been given top priority at this year’s World
Travel Market, to ensure delegates enjoy a smooth ride to the
show.

While delegates have praised the size and facilities of ExCeL,
transport to and from the show is the biggest bugbear, according to
group exhibition director Fiona Jeffery.

With this in mind, for the first time this year WTM has put
together an operational working party with transport providers to
ensure visitors arrive at the show on time.

A team of top executives from Transport for London, the London
Underground, Docklands Light Railway, Silverlink and London Buses
have got together to increase the frequency of services to improve
passenger flow to ExCeL. “This year we’ve put transport at
the top of the agenda and managed to get a team of people working
together to deal with the previous heavy congestion, especially
around Canning Town,” said Jeffery.

“Let’s face it, if London wants to win its bid to host the
2012 Olympics, it should see the huge international audience coming
to WTM in November as a test case.”

As a result, the working party has increased frequencies on
Docklands Light Railway from every three and a half minutes to
every two and a half minutes. This will mean the DLR will be better
able to accommodate the volume of people arriving from the Jubilee
Line and changing at Cannon Town. Staff will also be there to
direct people on to the correct train.

Up for grabs

Win a VIP weekend in London

Travel Weekly has teamed up with New London Partnership to offer
a VIP package for two. The lucky winner will get a weekend to
explore London’s South Bank, with the prize including a
private tour of the Tate Modern, two nights at the five-star
Marriott West India Quay and dinner. It also includes tickets to
the Docklands Museum, a champagne flight on the London Eye and
unlimited use of City Cruises and Docklands Light Railway.

To enter, answer this question: which river
connects South Bank, Bankside, Pool of London and East London?

E-mail your answer totwcompetitions@rbi.co.uk.

To find out more about London’s riverside district, make sure
you visit stand UK13000H.

Free ride on the London Eye

The London Eye is offering all WTM visitors and delegates a
complimentary flight on board the world-famous attraction. The huge
wheel, which comprises 32 glass capsules, rises to a height of 135
metres to command breathtaking views across the capital. To receive
your free ride, collect an Ambassador’s Ticket from the
hospitality area of the Visit London Pavillion at WTM.

Pick up a commemorative pin

WTM’s Silver Anniversary is being commemorated with the
issue of a special silver pin which visitors can collect when they
enter ExCeL. WTM has also produced a ‘coffee
table-style’ book called Silver Tribute which chapters the
event’s history. Senior figures in the industry and loyal
exhibitors will be presented with a copy of the book at the Silver
Anniversary dinner, being held at the East Wintergarden restaurant
on Monday night.

Do your bit at WTM

WTM has marked Wednesday, November 10 as Responsible Tourism
Day. A full programme of events – which are free to enter
– has been drawn up, together with a Global Challenge Debate
on the World Stage in the morning, where tour operators, tourist
boards and travel agents are set to participate in a lively
discussion. In the afternoon, there are workshops and seminars on
sustainable tourism practices.