The cavernous halls of ExCeL London rarely look so colourful. World Travel Market (WTM) is a vibrant exhibition, and this year as every other, partners from around the globe will converge on London’s Docklands bringing flavours of their destinations to sample.
Agents can try delicacies and drinks from around the world as they pick up information and inspiration. And don’t forget your business cards as there are plenty of fam trips on offer.
Caribbean
Wednesday sees the Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s trade training day, with a workshop from 10am, a lunch, and then the popular street party, which kicks off in the Caribbean Village at 5.30pm and continues at the Caribbean Scene restaurant from 8pm.
The party will be sponsored by Trinidad & Tobago (CA330), and agents who head to the destination’s stand at 1pm can have a go at flight simulator training. Sports stars Brian Lara and Dwight Yorke will be signing autographs for the Just a Drop campaign throughout WTM.
And they’re not the only sporting stars gracing the Caribbean stands this year. Next year will be the Year of Sport in Barbados, and the Barbados Tourism Authority (CA300) will be launching the initiative on Monday with Chelsea players Nicolas Anelka and Paulo Ferreira alongside the tourism minister. This reflects a three-year partnership with the football club to promote the island to a wider audience.
Sandals Resorts (CA240/CA325) is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year and has plenty to talk about. Over the next 10 years, Sandals will spend $500 million on expanding and refurbishing seven resorts in Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos, and sister company Island Routes will add two destinations – Barbados and the Cayman Islands – to its adventure tour programme.
It’s all about pink prizes at Bermuda Department of Tourism (CA449). The Reefs Hotel & Club, Bermuda, is giving away pink champagne and pearls to celebrate its pink sand beach – simply drop off a business card to be in with a chance of winning.
Head to the Jamaica Tourist Board (CA240) stand to get your picture taken with Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man – star of the destination’s new series of TV adverts – and sign-up for free tickets to The Jamaica Village at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Agents can also hear about JTB’s plans for celebrating Jamaica’s 50th Anniversary of Independence next year, including Five-0 mega-fams and training initiatives.
Places on a fam trip are up for grabs at Antigua and Barbuda (CA130), so agent should take their business cards along to drop in the draw. Finish off with a free massage and refreshments courtesy of AM Resorts (CA230). Agents can also win a free stay at an AM Resort, and graduates of its Master Agent Course who present their certificates will get a free bottle of champagne.
The Americas
With Los Angeles hosting Pow Wow and the direct British Airways flight to San Diego bedding in, 2012 looks set to be a vintage year for California. The California Travel & Tourism Commission will be celebrating this and its rebranding as Visit California (NA120) with wine receptions on its stand on Monday and Tuesday from 4pm.
Agents can also sign up for the California Expert training programme and be in with the chance of winning a case of California wine.
Those who prefer biking to boozing should head for the Colorado Tourism Office (NA270) stand as agents can win a mountain bike. The promotion reflects a strong trade programme planned for next year, with training modules and a fam trip in May. The focus will be on the range of outdoor activities available, including white-water rafting, hiking, horse riding and mountain biking.
New England (NA245) will be promoting its ski resorts and culinary adventures, with visitors able to win a culinary gift basket or a Premium Outlets gift basket valued at $500 and filled with designer and brand name goodies.
Las Vegas will be wooing agents once again, launching the Virtuoso VIP Club to reward the UK travel trade for supporting the city. Running alongside the online training programme, the programme will offer industry discounts and a weekly quiz with prizes including room nights, fam places and Vegas-themed DVDs and CDs.
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (NA250) will be highlighting exciting new developments including the Las Vegas High Roller – the world’s biggest Ferris wheel destined for the heart of the Strip – and a new marketing campaign.
Fans of Florida can head down to Visit Florida (NA300) and pick up one of 30 free signed copies of The Key West Bucket List, a book with 100 things, places and activities that visitors should see.
The Canada Tourism Commission (NA100) is preparing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Calgary Stampede in 2012. Representatives will also be talking about a new route from Rocky Mountaineer, revamped Via Rail service on The Canadian and a new EdgeWalk at the CN Tower. Agents who visit the stand will be able to pick up scratchcards to win prizes, How to Sell Canada guides, and information on the Canada Specialist Programme.
Agents can be in it to win it with Chile too. Turismo Chile and airline Lan (LA400) are offering the trip of a lifetime for two people, with the winning business card drawn at 5.30pm on Monday. From 4.30pm there are drinks and the opportunity for agents to network with representatives from both organisations, who can flag up destination news including new hotels such as the Singular Patagonia and the Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa.
Key West – Visit Florida, stand NA250
UK and Europe
With London set to host the 2012 Olympics, London & Partners (L300) will be showcasing the capital’s magic and the team will be launching a travel trade guide and a new trade website.
And agents who’ve come down to London for WTM can make the most of one of the city’s attractions, as Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London is offering them the chance to explore the attraction for free. Sign up for a complimentary visit during WTM week at stand L300, and see 700 curiosities from around the world including the world’s fattest man, 75-million-year-old dinosaur eggs, the world’s tallest man, real Amazonian shrunken heads and a lock of Elvis’s hair.
Agents who sell city breaks should visit Leisure Pass Group (L215), whose new Berlin sightseeing pass includes 53 tourist attractions, free use of the public transport system, hop-on hop-off bus tours and a river cruise. The prepaid cards are already popular with the trade for London and Paris.
Cypriot food and wine will be flowing at Cyprus Tourism (EM1100) and Rural Cyprus (EM1130) and the teams will talk about the latest developments on the island, from sustainability programmes to an exclusive marina in Limassol, and a new Visit Cyprus app.
The Polish Tourist Office (EM350) will have a prize draw every hour on Wednesday and Thursday. Agents who drop off their business cards could win a Poland Tourism goody bag.
At Graubünden Tourism (EM600) agents can sample wines of the region in Switzerland and hear more about the Simple Exclusive campaign, aimed at showcasing the diversity and good value of eastern Switzerland.
Africa and the Middle East
Fresh from living with his family in Dubai in 2010, former England cricketer Andrew Flintoff will be waxing lyrical about the emirate on Monday at the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) (ME200). Agents can meet the star and hear more about sport in Dubai, in particular the England v Pakistan test match to be held there in January and February.
To highlight the destination’s culture and heritage the stand will host Emirati students offering first-hand knowledge of the destination along with Arabic mint tea, two falcons, henna tattoo artists and a calligrapher writing visitors’ names in Arabic script.
The DTCM will be joined by 60 co-exhibitors, and agents will be able to hear all the news, from the revamped online training programme and Dubai Update e-newsletter to forthcoming hotel openings such as Jumeirah Creekside Hotel.
With a 22% increase in UK arrivals in 2010, there’s never been a better time to visit WTM Premier Partner Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ME100), who will be promoting new hotel openings from international brands such as Mandarin Oriental and Fairmont, both of which will launch properties in the Emirate in 2012.
Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority (ME300) is encouraging agents to apply for a fam trip next year – sign up for a chance to win Love2shop vouchers worth £50. Exciting developments are coming up, including the new $100 million Khorfakkan Hotel & Resort and the Heart of Sharjah project, which will turn the historic area in the city centre into a cultural and entertainment focal point with new hotels, restaurants and galleries.
Agents could be winging their way to new Middle Eastern hotspot Oman (ME400) if they head to the stand on Wednesday or Thursday and compete in the Sultanate of Oman Treasure Hunt with Oman Air (ME430) and the Oman Ministry of Tourism & Industry. A trip to Oman is the top prize, and representatives from the destination will be talking about new developments there.
Safari lovers should rush to the Kenyan Tourist Board (AF250) to be in the running to win a place on a fam trip next year.
A place on a fam trip to Djerba is up for grabs from Tunisia (AF340). Just hand a business card to the representative for Yadis Hotels to win a chance to visit the new Yadis Imperial Resort in 2012.
Asia and Australia
Vietnam Airlines’ (AS960) new direct flights to the UK has been creating waves of excitement, and boutique hotelier Victoria Hotels & Resorts is hoping to maximise the potential by working with the trade. Agents should head to its stand, AS977, to find out more about a new training programme and fam trips in 2012. They can also pick up brochures and info packs, and win dinner for two at a pan-Asian restaurant.
There’s another fam trip place on offer from Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (AS370). To be invited to the party (Tuesday, 6pm) and be in with the chance to win, email your name, agency and details to nabeel@srilanka.travel.
The Japan National Tourism Organization (AS770) and its partners are making a strong showing to thank the UK travel industry for its support in a difficult year and promote travel in 2012. Everyone who fills in a questionnaire will be given a free Hello Kitty folder, and from 5pm on Monday there’ll be sake, Japanese beer, plum wine and sushi on offer. New developments include the launch of three no-frills carriers in Japan in 2012.
