World Travel Market, which celebrated its 25th Silver Anniversary in 2004, had its most successful year ever with an increase in exhibitors, exhibition space and visitors…
World Travel Market, which celebrated its 25th Silver Anniversary in 2004, had its most successful year ever with an increase in exhibitors, exhibition space and visitors.Un-audited figures reveal that visitors went up by over 3%.
Overall, attendance during the four days of the event went up by 0.5% to 46,435 in comparison to the previous year.
Comparing figures to 2003, the number of Meridian Club members increased by three per cent to 12,960 and other trade professionals and travel agents soared by over 3% to 11, 086. Overseas representatives increased sharply – Meridian Club members went up by seven per cent and trade professionals by 6%.
The UK and international media numbers remained constant at 2,727, sustaining World Travel Market’s Press Centre as the largest ever operated in the UK.
Exhibiting personnel from 193 countries was 18,074 while exhibition space increased by more than four per cent to nearly 39,426 sq m.
“This is wonderful news! It is particularly appropriate that the results should be so encouraging at the time of our 25th anniversary,” said Fiona Jeffery, Group Exhibition Director.
“But although in my opinion we delivered the best ever event for the industry, in truth I believe the significant success of World Travel Market was also a signal of the current buoyancy that is penetrating almost every market.
“Thankfully the difficult years appear to be behind us and the industry can look forward to a time of renewed growth and development.
“Already predictions are showing that there has been a convincing bounce back. International arrivals are heading for a new all-time record and growth for the entire year is expected to reach around ten per cent at more than 42 million.”
Ms. Jeffery said that independent research was now taking place to understand exactly how much business was being negotiated and conducted during the four days. “Initial reports are extremely encouraging”, she said, “with exhibitors telling us that they have seen excellent buyers from all over the world and undertaken serious business.
“They will now, of course, be analysing their own reports and following up business contacts that were made during the week.
“But there does seem to be a tremendous confidence out there.
“The latest feedback demonstrates that World Travel Market has acted as a key business facilitator for the international industry at a moment when we are seeing strong growth patterns.
Silver Anniversary and Opening
The Opening Ceremony, performed by Sebastian Coe OBE, double Olympic Gold Medallist and one of the greatest middle distance runners of all time, began with a Silver Parade by the students of the Performers College, Corringham, Essex, UK involving more than 190 flags.
The parade was in recognition and appreciation of the participating countries and regions that have helped to make World Travel Market an outstanding success over the past 25 years.
On the evening of the opening day, nearly 400 loyal exhibitors, partners and friends attended a Silver Anniversary Dinner and a coffee-table style book ‘Silver Tribute’ was presented to VIP’s.
Exhibitors will be sent copies of the book, which explains how World Travel Market first started, charts some of the major developments on the way and provides entertaining anecdotes and pictures through the years.
Exhibitors are also being presented with special Silver Anniversary certificates and all exhibitors and visitors were given special WTM silver lapel pins.
Meetings, Conference and Incentive Travel Focus
World Travel Market’s dedicated day to the meetings, conference and incentive travel sector on Tuesday 9 November, which has grown in influence and stature over recent years, made a major leap forward this year.
Six leading associations and organisations, representing both companies and individuals, joined forces with the creation of the UK Meetings Industry Village to highlight the growth and development of the sector.
The six were: Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO), British Association of Conference Destinations (BACD), Hotel Booking Agents Association (HBAA), Meetings Industry Association (MIA), Meetings Professional International (MPI) UK and International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA UK and Ireland Chapter).
Theme of the day was ‘Making Meetings Pay’.
Responsible Tourism Day
As the phrase ‘Responsible Tourism’ is now a recognised term used by the industry to highlight environmental protection and responsibilities to local people and cultures, World Travel Market renamed its dedicated day on Wednesday 10 November from Environmental Awareness Day to Responsible Tourism Day.
The day commenced with the presentation of the first ever Responsible Tourism Awards organised by responsibletravel.com in association with World Travel Market, Geographical Magazine and The Times.
Following the awards the Global Challenge Ten Years on Question Time took place on the World Stage.
Wise Up!
Wise Up! – the ambitious training initiative aimed at agents and agency managers, in which 30 countries, destinations, consortia and trade organisations were involved, saw its successful debut on the fourth day, Thursday 11 November.
This day is being developed at a strategic level with assistance from some of the multiple travel agencies groups in the UK: Thomas Cook, First Choice, Lunn Poly and the Co-op (CTTG).
Consequently, four young travel agents from the multiples were hosted by World Travel Market at the first Wise Up! day to act as on-the-spot advisors. They were Gaynor Golding, Dominic Konopka, Jo Harper and Ann O’Donovan.
“We wanted to understand the relevance and effectiveness of Wise Up! in the direct educational and training needs of their job,” said Micaela Juarez, Marketing Manager.
“The Agent Ambassadors are preparing reports on their findings and their comments have already been extremely helpful and constructive in improving and developing Wise Up! in 2005.
“They were unanimous in seeing World Travel Market with new eyes and were convinced that Wise Up! can quickly become a major and crucial component of their training calendar.”
World Travel Market is to meet senior management from the multiples again in the New Year to continue talks on the continuing development and improvement of Wise Up!.
“It is imperative that we provide the kind of constructive initiative that delivers what the industry wants and what is most useful to the main players”, continued Juarez.
“The first Wise Up! saw a brilliant start, but we plan to take an even larger step next year, in association with the major travel agency players.
“We are very grateful and appreciative of their time and commitment and with their help, could certainly become the most ambitious and most exciting training programme for agents in the UK.”
Just a Drop
Just a Drop, the charity started seven years ago by World Travel Market on behalf of the international travel and tourism industry, also hit the record books this year.
The charity raises money for clean water and sanitation projects where ever it is needed in the world.
Over
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
