This year’s exhibition at ExCeL London, from Monday 10 to Thursday 13 November 2008, is bursting with potential; delivering a full programme of strategic content and bringing together the largest global industry gathering of destinations, tour operators, hotels, airlines, technology and online travel services under one roof. In addition to the stimulating programme, WTM has been working on an extended WTM seminar, conference and events programme and several new initiatives, created to further improve and enhance the visitor experience.

WTM Admission Policy
World Travel Market has a new admission policy, designed to benefit both exhibitors and visitors alike. The new policy includes changes to the structure of the daily format, with WTM Opening Day on Monday 10 November, open to Exhibitors, Exhibitor Invitees, Ministers, and press. The following three days, Tuesday 11 November – Thursday 13 November, will be open to all Meridian Club members, Travel Trade professionals, Ministers and press, giving participants more flexibility to choose the days they wish to visit the exhibition.

Phase II at ExCeL
ExCeL London has launched their plans for the next phase of building development which, when complete, will confirm its place as the largest event space in the capital. The extension will increase the size of the current venue space by over 50 percent, taking it to 100,000 m2 - the equivalent of 14 football pitches. The plans include a link to the Prince Regent DLR station, additional bars and restaurants, underground parking, and the creation of a new auditorium.

Called Phase II, construction will take place over the next two years beginning in mid August 2008. During this planned construction, the east car park will become a construction site and ExCeL's eastern entrance will be closed off completely along with Prince Regent DLR station, with no access to the exhibition halls from the eastern side for exhibitors and visitors alike.

WTM Global Economic Forum (Thursday 13 November, ExCeL London Platinum Suite, 11 am – 1 pm)
The WTM Global Economic Forum will take an in-depth look at the economic outlook for the travel and tourism industry moving forward into 2009-2010. Chaired by former broadcaster and economics journalist Peter Hobday, a longstanding presenter on the BBC4 radio programme Today and Newsnight, the panel of key economic experts will provide valuable insight for the tourism industry into the state of the world economy.

Eye for Travel – Technology Conferences (daily from Tuesday, 11 to Thursday 13 November 2008, ExCeL London, 11 am – 6 pm)
WTM has partnered with Eye for Travel, who will be hosting three one day technology conferences at the exhibition. Seminar topics include; Mobile in Travel on Tuesday 11 November, Online Travel Leadership Forum: Evolution of Online Travel on Wednesday 12 November, and Online Content and Conversion Strategies on Thursday 13 November.

Travel Agents Programme (Thursday 13 November 2008, 10 am – 5 pm)
This year at WTM an extensive programme is underway for travel agents. Due to take place on the Thursday of the exhibition the programme will include a comprehensive agent’s education programme put on by the Institute of Travel and Tourism along with another seminar from the Tourism Society, and the WTM and Travel Weekly passport competition. New to the programme this year, Travel Pop Star and a bespoke Co-op Travel Trading Group programme at WTM which includes attendance at the Travel Weekly Southeast Ball on the evening of 11 November at the Troxy.

The WTM Entertainment Zone
The WTM Entertainment Zone, located at the east end of the Boulevard, is a dedicated area where international companies, brands, regions and cultures can gather to celebrate and showcase the coming together of different cultures in a central location at the exhibition. The WTM Entertainment Zone is expected to create an enormous buzz and will bring out the vibrancy that sets WTM apart.

WTM Mobile Guide
All attendees to WTM can now download a World Travel Market mobile phone guide onto their handset for free. This free downloadable mobile guide has been created to help attendees get the most out of their WTM experience and will provide instant access to information about this year's event programme, including seminars and conferences, tips on getting around, and finding that perfect restaurant or bar to network, unwind and relax in.

Oyster Cards - Your easy way to get around London
WTM is working with Transport for London to make travel for visitors coming into the UK as hassle and stress free as possible. Oyster cards, an electronic pay-as-you go transport card, are now available in advance to international visitors coming to WTM, and can be purchased via the WTM website. Oyster Cards are the cheapest way to travel in London and come pre-loaded with £20, £30, £40 or £50 worth of travel on the London Underground network. Purchasing an Oyster card in advance will save visitors money and also means no more standing in line for a ticket.

Times Media becomes a WTM Consumer newspaper Media Partner
Working in partnership, Times Media will produce a WTM consumer guide for the Sunday Times, outlining the hottest new developments and destinations at WTM 2008, giving Times Media readers an insightful inside look at the upcoming holiday year.