Everyone who is anyone in the travel industry attends World Travel Market at ExCeL in London’s Docklands each November to do business.
Last year, 46,945 industry members from 202 countries and regions visited the show, doing a staggering £28 billion-worth of business with exhibitors.
A VIP opening and reception will mark the start of World Travel Market this year. The invitation-only event will take place on Monday from 11.30am-12.30pm in Conference Set, Platinum Suite 4, level 3.
BBC presenter Stephen Sackur will host the event, which is sponsored by National Express and airport transport service Dot2dot.
There will also be a welcome address from WTM chairwoman Fiona Jeffery, followed by the presentation of the WTM global awards.
Exhibitor highlights
- US states and regions at WTM 2007
- Caribbean destinations at WTM 2007
- Asian destinations at WTM 2007
- Canada at WTM 2007
- European destinations at WTM 2007
What to expect from WTM 2007
Fiona Jeffery, chairwoman, World Travel Market
When we open the doors at World Travel Market, 47,000 people will be pinning their hopes on conducting business pivotal to their success. WTM is an opportunity to learn about new global trends, to network, identify new markets, negotiate, do business and catch up with old friends.
This year, WTM will tackle two of the biggest issues facing the industry: climate change and responsible tourism.
On Tuesday, WTM will host a Ministers’ Summit on Tourism and Climate Change, in association with the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the UN Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organization.
Tourism must respond to climate change if it is to grow in a sustainable manner, and tourism ministers, senior aides and environmental experts will meet at WTM to ratify a declaration on the issue. The summit will be broadcast on screens in the central boulevard.
The following day sees the most ambitious initiative that WTM has undertaken – World Responsible Tourism Day. Arctic explorer and environmentalist Pen Hadow will kick off the event, which includes a comprehensive programme of events throughout the day.
The sessions will form a major part of the WTM event programme, which offers more than 70 free presentations, seminars and workshops. Register in advance by logging on to wtmlondon.com.
I look forward to welcoming you all to a very special WTM 2007.
Travel Weekly Passport competition
Every year at WTM Travel Weekly’s Passport competition gives agents the chance to win amazing prizes, including hotel stays, flights and passes to attractions and theme parks…
Full details of the 2007 Passport competition
World Responsible Tourism Day
Wednesday’s World Responsible Tourism Day will be launched by polar explorer Pen Hadow, the first person to trek solo from Canada to the North Pole without resupply. Hadow has witnessed first hand the effects of global warming and is committed to tackling it head-on.
He recognised World Responsible Tourism Day has huge potential. “It’s a global initiative and can make a real difference,” he said. “We are on the first step of a journey; a big endeavour that is of inestimable value for future generations.”
A global initiative in association with the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the day will also feature the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards organised by responsibletravel.com, hosted by WTM and supported by the The Times and Geographical magazine.
There will also be panel discussions and a networking event. Events take place in the WTM Conference Set, Platinum Suite 4, level 3 and are free. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
WTM fact file
Where: ExCeL London, 1 Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London Docklands, E16 1XL.
When: Monday November 12 to Thursday November 15.
Opening times: 10am-6pm except Thursday (Agents’ Day) which is 10am-5pm.
Getting there:
- By tube – Take the Jubilee Line to Canning Town then the Docklands Light Railway to Custom House station for ExCeL.
- By car – ExCeL is a 20-minute drive from Tower Bridge and a 30-minute drive from junction 30 of the M25.
Find out more:wtmlondon.com
