� IN FOCUS l WTM LONDON DID YOU


KNOW Lfgts.


Kew’s Temperate House, the world’s largest surviving


Victorian glasshouse, reopened its doors in May 2018 after a huge five-year restoration. It houses more than 10,000 plants from across the world’s


temperate zones. kew.org


Stand UKI1430


Merlin waves its magic wand over new attraction


Merlin Entertainments will be at WTM London to conjure up interest in its latest UK attraction: the first Bear Grylls Adventure. The £20 million venue opened in


September at Birmingham’s NEC, and is based on the adventures of explorer and TV presenter Bear Grylls. It allows would-be explorers to try diving, rock climbing, indoor skydiving and the highest free- roam high ropes in Europe. Merlin can also update


delegates about its ‘Midway’ indoor attractions – such as Sea Life, Madame Tussauds, The Eye (observation attractions), The Dungeons and LEGOLAND Discovery Centres – as well as its Legoland parks.


Furthermore, the group has theme parks such as Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of


Just a Drop celebrates 20th year with eco-friendly bottles


Charity Just a Drop is celebrating its 20th anniversary at WTM London by selling a new range of branded and eco-friendly water bottles, produced in collaboration with Water-to-Go. Just a Drop was launched


in November 1998, by Fiona Jeffery OBE – a former WTM chairman – and since then it has improved access to water and sanitation facilities for


1.5 million people in 32 countries. Initiatives help to provide


rainwater harvesting systems, wells, sand dams, bio-sand filters, latrines, and sanitation and hygiene training.


The charity has also branched


out into food security and micro- finance programmes to support community development and economic growth. justadrop.co.uk


Jen McCormack Stand BL4 Just A Drop Marketing companies sign up for new Agency Pavilion


Several UK companies will be part of a new zone at WTM London that gives PR and marketing professionals, digital influencers and social media agencies the opportunity to promote their services.


The WTM Agency Pavilion is a


first for the travel event and will feature domestic and international businesses. British representatives include tourism marketing, representation and PR company made, which also organises events and travel itineraries. Made will be joined by interactive


digital experience company The Creative Engine, which creates e-learning tools and will launch a new product at WTM London.


40 TravelGBI | November 2018 Also in the pavilion will be travel


magazine Wanderlust, which has branched out to include awards and accompanied experience journeys. UK marketing and representation agency the Brighter Group and film production agency NEEDaFIXER – Travel Videos will also be in the Agency Pavilion. The Creative Engine managing


director Andrew Candler said: “We know from experience that this is the best way to get our travel e-learning products in front of tourism boards and tour companies. “We liked the simplicity of the Agency Pavilion and the fact that every agency’s work will have equal prominence – we know our innovative products will shine.” John Innes, managing director of


Think Publishing said: “The Agency Pavilion is the natural home for Wanderlust. It gives us a base to meet our existing trade clients and the opportunity to talk to new partners across the trade.” wtmlondon.com


w Social media route to the Chinese market


A session will be held on November 5 called ‘Tapping into the China outbound market with social’, to help the travel trade understand social media for Chinese travellers. Speakers will be Gary


Grieve, managing director of Capela China, and Jennifer McCormack (Windermere Lake Cruises), chair of the Lake District China Forum. Another session on November 5 will ask ‘How Chinese demands and innovations change the global tourism industry’, and will be led by Professor Dr Wolfgang Arlt, director of the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute. He will be joined by Liwu Wang (Qyer.com), Xu Wei


and Charles Liu (both Ctrip). Stand AS1070


Stand ME580 travelgbi.com


Adventures and Warwick Castle. merlinentertainments.biz Stand TA150


WTM IN BRIEF


©Gareth Gardner


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