Food, fams and a chance to party – find out how you could come away from WTM with more than just contacts, says Katie McGonagle
We’re always being told it’s a small world, but walk into the vast hall at London’s Docklands and it won’t feel that way.
With thousands of exhibitors bringing a bit of home with them, ExCeL is abuzz with flavours, sounds, smells and sights from every corner of the globe.
It’s a world of possibility for agents, so to help you navigate your way, we’ve put together a preview of highlights to look out for.
Fancy sampling some sake? No problem, Japan’s got you covered. Want your picture taken with Lawrence of Arabia? Say cheese at the Jordan stand. Keen to quiz Charley Boorman on his latest motorbike tour? Scoot down to South Africa.Whatever you do, don’t forget your business cards; there are hundreds of fam trips and prizes to be won.
CARIBBEAN
Cricket fans look out: Sir Viv Richards will be leading Antigua and Barbuda’s English Harbour rum party on Tuesday (1pm-3pm, CA150), where you can also find out about the upcoming Antigua 365 fam.
Sports stars will also make a surprise appearance at Jamaica (CA240), though their identities are being kept under wraps, plus there’s one-to-one agent training and a rum-blending masterclass (Wednesday, 2pm-4pm).
On Wednesday morning head to the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CA140) for training incentives and presentations, a treasure hunt and the annual street party from 5pm. Trinidad & Tobago (CA330) will be joining in with training from 1pm-4.20pm on Wednesday, followed by a ‘rum and rhythm’ reception where agents can brush up on their cocktail-making skills.
They’ll be providing the street party music, before a VIP event at Caribbean Scene (sign up to learntnt.com for a VIP party pass).
Bermuda (CA120) promises a riot of colour as it launches a destination rebrand with guest appearances from Miss Bermuda and gombey dancers, plus there’s a trip to the island to be won. Puerto Rico (CA160), meanwhile, promises surprise celebrity guests plus exciting news about new hotels in Porta Atlántico.
THE AMERICAS
With a fresh burst of Brand USA energy, this year’s American stands are set to be buzzing. Visit California will get the party started with a wine reception (Monday, 4pm, NA340).
A case of Californian wine will be given away to one of the agents who register for its updated training course. New England will also be showing off local produce at a reception (Monday, 3pm-5pm, NA155), giving away a gift basket packed with candied cranberries, maple syrup and more.
Budding photographers should make a beeline for the Brand USA (NA270) and Utah (NA170) stands. The former is looking for your favourite US fam photos; upload them at the stand on Wednesday or Thursday and the best will feature in the 2013 Brand USA calendar.
The latter will have a prize draw to win a digital camera or one of 20 photo calendars showing off the state’s stunning scenery.
Sharing the Utah stand will be Colorado. They are also asking agents to ‘share the love’ by posting 100 words about why they love Colorado on Facebook and Twitter – there’s a solar panel rucksack worth £140 for the best entry.
If you fancy a photo with a Las Vegas showgirl, head to NA350 on Monday, where you can find out about the city’s latest openings including Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars Palace.
The Canadian Tourism Commission (NA300) is celebrating the 21st anniversary of its training programme with a giveaway for qualified Canada Specialist Agents who visit the stand – complete Canadaspecialist.co.uk now for your chance to win. For agent training, Peru (LA300) is the place to be on Wednesday, with seminars on festivals at 11am, voluntourism and conservation at 1pm, and adventure travel at 4pm.
Agents attending the seminars will get goodie bags and be eligible to win a trip to Peru, plus there will be Pisco sours on offer from noon each day. If it’s a caffeine hit you need, head to Proexport Colombia (LA530) for Colombian coffee and a chance to see palenqueras (ladies who carry fruit baskets) and traditionally-dressed entertainers walking the floor.
Cancun (LA250) has a bottle of Sea Jewels perfume up for grabs on Monday and Wednesday, a hotel stay and excursions on Tuesday, plus tequila tasting throughout the show.
The end of the Mayan calendar will be the focus for Central America (LA560), which is inviting agents and tour operators to hear about its new Mayan-focused tourist trail through Guatemala (Wednesday, 11am, South Gallery 33). Look out too for first-time exhibitors the Falkland Islands (LA430).
UK AND EUROPE
Expect a lot from the UK this year; domestic tourism is riding the post-Olympics high and it is making the most of it at WTM. UKInbound will have its largest-ever presence (UKI400), with 20% more exhibitors sharing the stand, including first-timers Britain’s Heritage Cities.
Travel agents can get a taste of what’s on offer with free entry to Ripley’s Believe It or Not; drop in on stand L225 to sign up for a visit, then take your WTM delegate badge along to the attraction.
There are plenty of reasons to visit the View from the Shard (L315) too; a pair of tickets to the February 1 opening and a meal at neighbouring Roast restaurant will be won at 4pm each day. If you miss out, sign up for the exclusive trade preview of the attraction between January 21 and 24.
Jersey and Guernsey are joining forces for the first time on a single stand (UKI120), with a box of Jersey treats for the first 20 people who can give the dates of the island’s key 2013 events.
Rural Cyprus (EM1120) will be promoting its new boutique hotels and six added wine routes – and to celebrate, there will be an expert sommelier offering Cypriot wine sampling.
Don’t over-indulge though, Gozitan wines have plenty to recommend them too, and will be in ready supply at Malta (EM1150) along with breads, sundried tomatoes and olives. Find out about Valletta’s new status as European Capital of Culture 2018 as you munch.
Get your taste buds in gear before you visit Greece too. There will be cooking shows, Greek wines and cocktails (Monday 3pm, Tuesday-Thursday 1.30pm, EM1000), plus a presentation on sports tourism (Wednesday, 10am, Platinum Suite 6).
Pass by Rhodes (EM950) at 3.30pm on Monday as it launches a new ‘Sunkissed by Rodos’ campaign with a chance to win a luxury trip for two.
Foodies can be wined and dined the Portugal way (EM900), with tasting sessions each day, but The Azores will steal the show on Monday when adventurer Ben Fogle drops in from 4pm-5pm to chat about the islands.
Poland (EM450) is holding its own day of hospitality on Tuesday, starting with a traditional Polish breakfast at 10.30am, gingerbread-making sessions and a lottery to win holidays, and ending with an evening reception and live Polish music at 6pm. Israeli band Jamen will also be performing traditional music at Israel’s stand (EM650), with personalised magnets to give away.
MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA
Visit the Jordan stand (ME100). to help celebrate the 50th birthday of Oscar-winning film Lawrence of Arabia, where there will be a cut-out photoboard from the movie; put your head through the gap and you’ll be an instant extra in the iconic film. Also on the stand is a huge birthday cake shaped like Petra to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the city’s rediscovery.
Oman (ME200) will be giving away samples of its famous coffee, dates and halwa, while falconry, henna art and Arabic calligraphy will be on offer at the Abu Dhabi and Dubai stands (ME300 and ME400), along with agent giveaways and trade competitions.
Neighbouring Sharjah (ME500) will also be inviting agents to register for 2013 fam trips and talking about its role as Islamic Culture Capital 2014.
The Tunisia team will be talking about Tunisair’s new regional departures from Manchester at AF340 while stand partner Yadis Hotels gives away a four-night stay at the new Yadis Imperial Beach & Spa Resort in Djerba.
Did you know Uganda is the fastest-growing destination in Africa? Find out more at stand AF680, where agents can meet Ugandan gold medallist marathon runner Stephen Kiprotich on Wednesday afternoon, followed by a cocktail reception, dance performance and draw to win a holiday for two at 4.30pm.
Visitors to the Kenya stand (AF250) can support a charity close to WTM’s heart; buy a water bottle at the stand and all proceeds go to Just a Drop, set up by WTM chairman Fiona Jeffery to provide safe, clean drinking water around the world. You can also get refreshment of a different kind with daily Dawa hours, serving the famous Kenyan cocktail, from 5pm-6pm.
Get up to speed with South Africa with a trade briefing from 1pm-2pm on Monday, followed by a meet-and-greet session with adventurer Charley Boorman from 2pm-3.30pm at AF500, whose motorbike tour of the country is set to air on TV this autumn.
ASIA AND AUSTRALASIA
Foodies will be in seventh heaven when they reach this region. Start off with a trade reception at the Vietnam stand (Tuesday afternoon, time to be confirmed, AS480), plus a chance to speak to Vietnam Airlines staff about its new winter schedule.
Then head to Victoria Hotels & Resorts (AS575) to sign up for fam trip opportunities and a chance to win a meal for two in a Vietnamese restaurant, and HG Travel and Au Co Cruise (AS580) to enter your business card for a chance to win flights and a two-night luxury cruise around Halong Bay.
Enjoy a taste of Malaysia by signing up for the new training programme at AS200 and you’ll go into a draw to win a meal at a Malaysian restaurant in the UK, plus fashionistas will have even more reason to stop by the stand on Monday to meet shoe designer and tourism ambassador Jimmy Choo.
Stand partner Malaysia Airlines also promises a few surprises for its 40th anniversary – agents can experience some of the airline’s on-board hospitality, and even get a chance to win a luxury holiday.
On the Japan stand (AS360), it will be happy hour from 5pm-6pm on Monday, serving sake, Japanese beer, plum wine, sushi and karaage (fried chicken); with eco-friendly shopping bags to give away. Taiwan’s happy hour takes place on Tuesday at 4pm (AS450), with holiday prizes, drinks and canapés, plus traditional dancers and cooking demonstrations.
The destination’s first agent training session also takes place at the stand on Wednesday afternoon (times to be confirmed).
Monica Galetti, co-presenter of Masterchef: The Professionals, will be the big draw at the South Pacific stand (Monday, 4pm, AS652). As a new ambassador for Samoa Tourism Authority, she will be signing copies of her new cookbook to be given away in a business card draw each day.
Chat to first-time exhibitors Papua New Guinea, sign up for the South Pacific training programme (there’s a luxurious eight-night break to Fiji on offer to those who complete the course by the end of November), and enjoy cocktails courtesy of Tahiti (Monday, 4pm, AS655).