DESTINATIONS UK, IRELAND & EUROPE WTM 2015 LEFT:
Catalonia RIGHT:
Big Bus Tours BELOW:
Eilat, Israel 3
OF THE BEST Tips for
surviving WTM
Dress smartly, but wear
w UK, IRELAND AND EUROPE Get ready for some serious craic with Tourism Ireland (UKI400), in a networking session (Monday, 6.30pm) for agents and industry professionals to find out why the island of Ireland has seen a 12% jump in visitors this year, plus plans for next year’s Northern Ireland Year of Food and Drink 2016, and Ireland’s Ancient East, an initiative highlighting Celtic sites which pre-date the pyramids. The champagne will be flowing for Big Bus Tours (UKI301) as well, as the company gets ready for its silver jubilee, celebrating 25 years since its first hop-on hop-off sightseeing tour around London. Go along to trade receptions on Monday and Tuesday afternoons (times to be confirmed) to find out more about 2016 promotions and new Chicago and Paris routes. Agents can raise a glass to another
anniversary over in the European area – this time a 70th birthday for airline TAP Portugal (EU1010), which hosts wine-tasting and networking on-stand (Tuesday, 4.30-5.30pm), with a chance to win pairs of tickets to Lisbon and Porto, its two main UK routes.
There’s no need to wait to toast the
Catalonia Tourist Board (EU1800); these Spanish delegates will have a bar with regional wines and beers throughout the show, having been named European gastronomy region for 2016, and will be giving a presentation on accessible holidays to Catalonia (Tuesday, 3pm). Food and drink will also be central
to the Basque Country Tourist Board’s trade and press reception (EU1940, Tuesday 11.30am-12.30pm, Platinum Suite 5), while at the same time over on the Balearic Islands Tourist Board (EU1550) stand, visitors can try to catch a glimpse of Sir Bradley Wiggins in an invitation-only presentation on sports tourism to the islands. There are plenty of chances for agents to win big with the Greek National Tourism Organisation (EU1200 & 1270) if they have completed its online training. Send course certificates by October 30 to
trade@gnto.co.uk and you could be invited to an on-stand prize draw on Wednesday, with a Kindle, a goody bag of Greek wine and even a short break for two to Crete, with BA flights
and accommodation from Aldemar Hotels, up for grabs. Neighbouring Cyprus Tourism
Organisation (EU1300) will also be offering a taste of Cypriot wine, pastries and desserts on its new-look stand, with a side order of exciting news about a 16% jump in UK visitors this year. Likewise, the Israel Government Tourist Office (EU850) will offer the next best thing to actually being there with on-stand cooking demonstrations by Tomer Amedi, head chef at super-cool Israeli restaurant The Palomar in London’s West End (Monday and Tuesday, 12pm and 2pm), and stick around for happy hour from 2.30-4pm for Israeli wine and nibbles courtesy of the Hummus Brothers. Work off a few of those calories while perfecting your swing with the golf simulator at the Polish National Tourist Office (EU650) stand next (though there’s plenty to keep arty types interested too as Wroclaw gears up to become European Capital of Culture 2016), and then head along to Balkan Holidays (EU935) for a preview of its new agent training video filmed on Bulgaria’s Black Sea Coast.
comfortable shoes – the ExCeL centre might be
dwarfed by Germany’s ITB, but it’s still huge so best to avoid uncomfortable footwear.
Schedule some appointments in advance, but don’t leave
yourself without any free time – it’s important to structure your day but still allow time
for impromptu meetings.
Bring plenty of business cards, and follow up every meeting with an email when you get back to work.
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travelweekly.co.uk 29 October 2015
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