LONDON – WTM 2013 – REPORT: Catalonia, Abu Dhabi, Korea Tourism Organisation and South Africa are among the exhibitors to be honoured with awards for their stands at World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry.
LONDON – WTM 2013 – REPORT: The Best Stand Awards were judged by an expert panel, which included;
- Sarah O’Donnell, Deputy Editor, Conference News;
- Bill Richards, Partner, Tram Research; and
- Beryl Preuschmann, Managing Director, Triporganiser.net.
Catalonia (EM1640) won the award for best stand design, thanks to its eco-friendly, carbon-neutral approach, and the way its green message reflected the region and its ambitions.
Judges said it was innovative and offered good spaces for business, as well as being cosy and practical.
Best Stand for Doing Business Award, Abu Dhabi. Salma Al Maheri, International Promotion Section Head, Mubarak Al Nuaimi, Director of Promotions and Overseas Offices, Nouf Mohamed Al Hashmi, Domestic Promotion Executive, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority.
The honour of the best stand for doing business went to Abu Dhabi (ME300) which was praised for its effective use of lighting and drapery.
The stand’s structure featured TV screens describing which each exhibiting partner offered.
Korea Tourism Organisation (AS550) scooped the award for the best stand feature, thanks to its film of ‘sand drawing’, which drew a great deal of attention from delegates at WTM.
Best Stand Awards. Best Stand Personnel. Winner: South Africa (lleft to right): Siobhan Ridguard, South African Tourism. Virginie Ludmer, WTM. Jan Hutton, South African Tourism. Deborah Dewe, WTM. Rosemary Chileshe, South African Tourism.
The best stand personnel award was given to South Africa (AF300), where staff were hailed as very polite. Also, the stand was described as interesting, with a circular design that drew delegates in.
Best Stand Awards. Most Innovative Stand in the Travel Tech Show. Winner Flip.to. (left to right): Deborah Dewe, WTM. Edward St. Onge, President Global sales & marketing. Brian Kent, CEO. Jo Marshall, WTM.
The award for the most innovative stand in the travel technology section was given to FLIP.TO (TT487).
The exhibitor employed a robot which moved around the exhibition floor offering a conference link to its MD in the US via an ipad.
Judges commended the way that visitors could understand exactly what the company was offering very quickly.
The judges also made special commendations to two exhibitors – Rwanda (AF230) and Just a Drop.
Rwanda was commended for its circular design which created a welcoming atmosphere, while Just a Drop had two stands which outlined what the charity did in an attractive and clear manner, allowing the visitor to “understand the concept and the essence of the charity through how the stand was presented, without verbal messaging”.
Photo caption: Best Stand Awards. Best Stand Feature. Winner: Korea Tourism Organisation. (left to right): Deborah Dewe, WTM. Jisoo, Sand Artist. Ramy Salameh, Korea Tourism Organisation. Amy Francis, WTM.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
