Report from World Travel Market: World Travel Market has record figures this year…
Report from World Travel Market: World Travel Market has record figures this year. Data shows that its 25th anniversary event is the biggest ever.
Organisers say that the exhibition is more than four per cent larger than in 2003. There are more than 5,000 exhibitors from over 190 countries.
Recent feedback from exhibitors indicates that the probable reason for the expansion is that virtually all markets are reporting a significant increase in business.
There is a real sense of optimism among exhibitors this year, said Group Exhibition Director, Fiona Jeffery. There is a definite increase in confidence after three difficult years for the industry.
SARS, conflict and economic problems had all taken their toil but the signs of a much better future were apparent even as far back as the end of last year.
We have been talking and meeting exhibitors daily in the run-up to November and it is great to hear some good news about how much better many destinations and resorts are doing. This has boosted a huge interest from both visitors and possible exhibitors from all regions and sectors.
This is fantastic news and very appropriate in this our silver anniversary year. World Travel Market has always mirrored the ups and downs of the industry and I am delighted that the signs are there for a good year ahead at this landmark moment in our history.
Ms. Jeffery continued: The strength of the euro is determining business success, while the positive signs from the economies of the mature markets and some rebound from long-haul markets is seeing an increase in visitors to the majority of the European destinations.
During the first six months of the year European markets has been on the upward swing. Spain`s ended the year to May with a 3.8% increase over the same period last year and Germany is showing a 10% increase in arrivals for the first quarter of 2004 and 3% in tourism receipts until April. France`s overnight stays in hotels and similar establishments during the first five months grew by 1.4% over last year`s decrease of 7% in the same period.
The upsurge in Europe is also matched in the UK. VisitBritain reports that 12.5 million visitors travelled to the UK in the first half of this year, a rise of 13 per cent on last year and the `best-ever` January to June period.
Even the United States is showing a small increase in inbound traffic and long haul travel generally appears to be on target to get back to pre-9/11 levels.
The change in the industry`s fortunes is thought to be behind the rush of new `names` planning on exhibiting for the first time on their own stands.
For example, the Central Asia republic of Uzbekistan is to exhibit at World Travel Market, following a decision by the government to put the destination firmly on the tourist map, said Ms. Jeffery.
I understand that the problem is that many people are unfamiliar with the country, even though all their cities are full of historical sights.
Uzbekistan Airways flies from London and Birmingham to the capital Tashkent and the republic is featured in a handful of specialist travel brochures in the UK, but it has failed in the past to attract much interest until now, partly because of the difficulty of travelling around the destination that was once firmly in the grip of the USSR.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
