TravTalk India Online Magazine
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, World Travel Market (WTM) London expects to welcome over 50,000 travel professionals from 180 countries, including almost 200 exhibitors from India. Simon Press, Director, WTM London, highlights India’s powerful impact on the global tourism industry and WTM.
Manas Dwivedi
Q. How different will WTM 2019 be from previous years?
WTM London is constantly innovating to make sure the event gives all attendees the best possible experience. This year, as it is the 40th anniversary, we are making the event unlike anything people have seen before. We are offering our visitors the chance to experience the festivities we have crafted to celebrate 40 years of WTM London.
This year, we will also be hosting our first Hackathon as part of Travel Forward. We are continuing to reshape our conference programme to incorporate the expansion of the ‘Ideas Arrive Here’ theme, as we boast of a conference programme focused on the future of the tourism industry. On the subject of inspiring stories, our new video concept, #WTMStories, will give viewers an insight into travel trends – as seen through the eyes of key industry figures and consumers.
Q. Can you shed some light on the buyers and sellers at the mart this year?
We have revamped our ‘Buyers Club’ programme, meaning that the highest calibre buyers will receive a tailored experience ensuring the arrival of fresh ideas and new possibilities. The top 600 industry buyers will receive invitations to attend. Joining these buyers will be 5,000 exhibitors.
Q. What are your expectations from this year’s mart?
We are expecting to see over £3.75 billion worth of business deals made, which will surpass the total from contracts signed in 2018.
Due to these business deals, London becomes the hub of the global travel industry during the week of WTM London, as over 50,000 travel delegates flood in from across the world. As a result, we broadened the experience, creating a seven-day festival to celebrate this industry.
Q. What about India’s representation at WTM this year?
Indian exhibitors have always formed a crucial part of WTM London and we are pleased to welcome back a large contingent from the country this year. Indeed, this year we welcome almost 200 exhibitors from a great range of national provinces, demonstrating the wide variety of travel business opportunities there are in the country.
India has invested in the success of WTM London and in return, the event gives the country the platform to develop yet further in the global travel market.
Q. What is your view on the growth of tourism from the Indian market?
Tourism in the country has a significant potential considering the rich cultural and historical heritage, the diverse ecology, and exceptional areas of natural beauty across the country. With tourism already proving to be a large employment generator in the country, we cannot wait to see it grow further. India is also a digitally-advanced traveller nation, with a population that has a great deal of knowledge in using digital tools for planning, booking and experiencing a journey. The presence of exhibitors representing India’s tourist sector at WTM London highlights this as a market that will grow and potentially create modern trends in tourism.
