� IN FOCUS l WTM LONDON Record
British exhibitors aim to build on a bumper 2017 by signing more business deals than ever before at WTM London. Samantha Mayling reports.
DID YOU KNOW
WTM LONDON'S 2016 RECORD FIGURES
Total delegates: 51,500 Exhibitor invitees: 14,000
Pre-qualified buyers from WTM Buyers’ Club: 10,000 Total visitor numbers
(excluding press, ministers, aides and students): 31,951
Media visitors: 3,034 W
rewards
ith record inbound and domestic tourism numbers this year, British exhibitors at
World Travel Market London anticipate a busy three days at ExCeL London. From January to July 2017, there were
a record 23.1 million overseas visits to the UK, up 8% year-on-year, with visitors spending £13.3 billion, up 9%. Meanwhile, domestic overnight
holidays in England rose 7% year-on- year to a record 20.4 million, with visitors spending £4.6 billion, up 17% and another record. Simon Press, WTM London senior
director, said: “Brexit has been the key talking point among UK and Ireland exhibitors.
“In the short term, the UK tourism industry is benefiting from an improved exchange rate, fuelling record numbers of overseas visitors.
“Our UK and Ireland exhibitors will be looking to further benefit from this environment by signing record deals at WTM London 2017.”
� Incredibly busy He said WTM London’s UK and Ireland region will be “incredibly busy” as exhibitors highlight new products, noteworthy anniversaries and major improvements. Visit Wales (UKI100) will launch The
Wales Way – three routes which highlight areas across the Welsh coast and countryside. The Silverstone Experience – a partner on the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum & Tour Pavilion of Sports Exhibitors (UKI320) – will preview its visitor experience that opens in 2019. Heritage is GREAT Britain Pavilion
(UKI430) will spotlight improvements at Stonehenge that make group visits smoother; a new exhibition and cafe at Framlingham Castle, Suffolk; a virtual reality tour at St Augustine’s Abbey, Kent; conservation work at Osborne House, Isle of Wight; and a new exhibition at Hailes Abbey, Gloucestershire. Mayflower 400 (UKI300) will launch a major international campaign to mark the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower in 1620.
� Ireland spotlight While the fall in sterling since the 2016 referendum has buoyed UK exhibitors, it has sparked a decline in British visitors to Ireland. Overall, Ireland saw 3.4% year-on-year
Warner Bros Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter (UKI420) will return for WTM London 2017
16 TravelGBI | November 2017
growth in overseas visitors in the first half of 2017, with numbers from North America soaring by 21%. However, UK visitors fell 6% as Irish
holidays became more expensive for Brits.
travelgbi.com
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