WEDNESDAY
DAY THREE WTM LONDON 2016
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already confirmed include: Bon Vivant (UK), Concierge Travel Advisors (USA), I’m Out. LBGT Experiences (USA), New Act Travel (USA), Out of Office (UK), Signature (Global), Superviagem (Brazil) and Virtuoso (Global).
ATM SPONSOR CONTINUES Rotana Hotels & Resorts is marking its 25th anniversary by continuing its sponsorship of the registration for next year’s Arabian Travel Market, also in its 25th year.
DESTINATION INVESTMENT Ministers met industry leaders at WTM London’s first destination investment event, supported by UNWTO. Called IHIF at WTM, it brought together the leadership of the International Hotel Investment Forum and WTM London’s expertise to create an exclusive platform for ministers and investors in travel destination development.
Keith Evans, Vice President Hotels for Starwood Capital, highlighted Greece’s potential, saying: “There’s a good strong fundamental tour infrastructure; Greece is setting itself up as a market that has an interesting few years ahead.” Henri Wilmes, VP Hotel Acquisitions for London and Regional investors, said Mexico is another destination that investors are watching with interest. “Mexico has done very well in positioning the country in terms of supply,” he told ministers and delegates. “It’s amazing what this country has to offer. It has provided the necessary infrastructure, such as airports – that is vital for investment.”
WELLNESS EXPERIENCES The wellness market is developing more experiences for clients, as consumers are “more connected”, delegates heard at a wellness session. “They are connected to their
surroundings, and they collect stories; what they are really interested in is experiences,” said academic Dr Elina Michopoulou, Senior Lecturer in Business Management at Derby University. She advised wellness firms to work with social media influencers and celebrities, noting that some had followings as large as the population of several countries put together.
NO TO TOURISM TAX leading travel industry figures spoke out against plans for a tourism tax in London. Ufi Ibrahim, Chief Executive of the British Hospitality Association, said a tourism tax would penalise UK visitors most – and the industry was already concerned about the burden of business rates and VAT. Tom Jenkins, Chief Executive of Etoa, the European tourism association, added: “No city imposes a tourism tax unless it is absolutely desperate.”
WTM London Review 2017 75
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