World Travel Market in London achieved a joint-record attendance of almost 51,500 in its new guise as a three-day event.
The attendance figure of 51,444 was 4% up on last year, taking total participant numbers back to 2014 levels – a record for the event which was first held in 1980.
Exhibitor invitees – senior industry executives invited by exhibitors on the first day of WTM to discuss business deals – rose by 9% to 14,140.
Those attending as WTM Buyers’ Club participants was up by 6% to 9,714.
Total visitor numbers – excluding press, ministers, ministers’ aides and students – stood at 31,951, up by 5% year-on-year.
Organisers estimate that more than £2.5 billion-worth of deals were agreed at the exhibition.
Senior director Simon Press said: “More than £2.5 billion in industry contracts were agreed at WTM London 2016 with more than 9,700 buyers conducting 865,500 meetings with 5,000 exhibitors.
“The record number of participants, exhibitor invitees and WTM Buyers’ Club members is testament to the success of the new-look three-day WTM London and demonstrates all the key decision-makers and those with purchasing responsibility attend WTM London.”
Audited figures of WTM London 2016 will be available in the New Year.
Next year’s WTM takes place at ExCeL, London on November 6–8.