WTM 2003 Attracts Increased Participation

The recently concluded World Travel Market 2003 had a six per cent increase in overseas visitors and a nine per cent rise in trade visitors, non-audited figures for the global business event held at London ExCeL revealed.

Overall there were nearly 45,000 delegates, exhibiting personnel and media as compared to 43,803 last year. A total of 191 countries participated with 119 new exhibitors. The number of main and sharing stand staff also increased slightly from a little over 18,000 to more than 18,500 - a sign that confidence is returning to the industry worldwide. Overseas and UK media numbers also rose by seven per cent from 2,578 to 2,757.

Attendance by Meridian Club members was down five per cent from 13,267 buyers to 12,598, which organisers explain is due to a stricter membership focus on quality international buyers with purchasing authority.

Fiona Jeffery, Group Exhibition Director said she was absolutely delighted at the event’s undoubted success. “Given the universal climate at present, these are exceptional figures. Despite the impact of short-term challenges such as SARS and the war in Iraq, there was a real air of optimism for 2004, which has been born out by international industry experts. The sheer number of top quality visitors and the initial reports we are now receiving about significant business that took place during all four days is perhaps the greatest proof yet that travel and tourism is getting back on track for the future. Travel and tourism is still an economic force to be reckoned with in the world which has a wider and positive ripple effect on communities,” added Jeffery.

She further explained that the upscale targeted communications campaign and the largest and strongest event programme ever were also major contributory factors in producing a very successful event.

The optimism for business next year was mirrored by World Travel Market’s first Global Travel Report, in association with IPK, supported by a number of respected industry associations and launched on the opening day. The report revealed the very latest up-to-the-minute thinking, predicting a surge in tourism in 2004 - mainly because of pent-up demand.

New Initiatives

The event saw a number of new and improved features. The comprehensive free seminar, workshop, conference and stage schedule brought together leading industry experts, respected senior management and an unprecedented line-up of well known journalists, television presenters and celebrities to provide a stimulating and entertaining programme.

This year saw the launch of the Airline Business Conference, The Future of Air Travel: The Way Ahead. This high level conference brought together leading managers from the travel sector with senior airline executives to debate the future of the airline sector.

World Travel Market also introduced a number of new features and improvements to strengthen the UK and Ireland region including a new Youth Pavilion, in association with The British Educational Travel Association (BETA), a co-ordinated London Pavilion and an improved communication and promotional campaign.

A strengthened programme included a new agents training initiative, organised in conjunction with top tour operators, incentives, competitions and the new ‘Adventure Game’, which underlined a predicted explosion in adventure and youth tourism market in the next five to ten years.