TravTalk India Online Magazine
Juliette Losardo, Exhibition Director, WTM London in conversation with Devika Jeet, Director, DDP India, talks about the challenges facing the travel trade sector and how they plan to overcome them, especially after the intensity of COVID-19 has lessened the world over.
TT Bureau
What would be your vision for WTM 2022? What difference can the trade expect?
Confidence and Sales
We are confident as we embark into WTM London 2022 as travelling abroad has become more accessible for fully vaccinated travellers. With recent news that the UK has scrapped COVID-19 tests for arrivals, and that the EU plan to follow suit ahead of Easter, our commercial team have become busy. Customers such as Peru, Guatemala, Croatian National Tourist Board, The Republic of Bulgaria and Visit Flanders have committed to this year’s show. We are very excited about it.
Recovery
According to WTTC, in 2020, the sector had experienced a $4.5 trillion drop in GDP and 62 million people lost their jobs around the globe. Although domestic travel has been a key factor in recovery to date, return of full recovery of the global economy will be possible with international travel. This year’s show will address full recovery and plans to support the community by enabling business meetings, networking, learning opportunities and encouraging new business opportunities.
Travel insurance
Although many destinations have been relaxing the pandemic regulations, we continue to navigate through complex times; those that demand high levels of contingency planning and comprehensive travel insurance. While there is plenty to celebrate, consumers are likely to expect refundable bookings and date flexibility to resume.
Recruitment
Recruitment is another issue faced by the travel community following the pandemic. Travel firms have called for a joint industry effort to address the staffing shortage, as recruiters warn it will take at least six months to resolve the problem.
Technology and sustainability
We recently announced that our travel technology show, Travel Forward, will become part of WTM London in 2022, and will be referred to as WTM Travel Tech.
We are planning two theatres in the WTM Travel Tech area of the show. As per Euromonitor International, 39 per cent of the industry say they are investing in new technology to future-proof business, and 53 per cent of the companies are focusing on sustainability features to reach SDGs.
WTM London 2021 Overview
Last year, WTM focused on the health and safety of all attendees. It is essential when pulling together a large-scale international event in the wake of a global pandemic. We are proud to have enabled the travel community to come together despite a challenging backdrop and were delighted to have welcomed exhibitors from more than 100 countries.
There were 36 new exhibitors at WTM London, 4,000 buyers from 140 countries, 110 expert speakers taking part in 50 sessions, offering invaluable insights regarding rebuild, innovation and sustainability.
Asia, especially India, has had a large participation at WTM which is shrinking. How do you plan to grow this sector?
India has always been one of our fantastic participants with 60 exhibitors at the show during pre-pandemic days. However, in 2021, WTM London has reflected the global landscape, with curbs still on in many regions. Asia has remained shut for most of 2021, resulting in absence of some countries at the show.
Would you be undertaking any marketing and promotional activity in India?
In 2016 India was WTM London’s Premier Partner, which saw a surge in visitors. India experienced growth in international tourism and a bumper number of business deals. We are open to the country’s tourism board to highlight its diverse attractions to the world.
