The TTG@WTM Interview
‘A hotbed of ideas’ W
WTM London’s senior director Simon Press talks to Edward Robertson about the show as it approaches its 40-year anniversary
ith World Travel Market London set to celebrate its 40th anniversary next
year, the event is one of travel’s best-known stalwarts.
But if there is one thing 39 years in the travel industry teaches anyone, it’s that standing still is not an option. That is why, with this big anniversary on the horizon, WTM London’s senior director Simon Press said a number of changes have been introduced to ensure those attending experience the best possible event.
He said: “Next year is our 40th at WTM London. It is a show that’s reaching middle age when there will be about 1.4 billion trips made in a single year, considerably more than in the 80s when it first began. “This is the next stage of making sure we survive and thrive in the changing travel market.” With this in mind, Press said the show has the new strapline “Ideas Arrive Here” to highlight the fact that when as many travel experts gather in one place as they do at WTM London, then sparks of inspiration are going to fly. He added: “WTM London is a hotbed of ideas for the whole industry and the business is fuelled by those ideas. Whether it is new business ideas, new ways of doing things or even new companies being formed, we can help drive them by offering the best possible forum.”
Times of change This year is predicted to be no exception either. Around 50,000 attendees, including 12,000 members of the Buyers’ Club,
“187 of the world’s 195 countries will be represented at WTM
London” Simon Press
are expected to generate £3.1 billion of deals. They will do so among 450 main stand holders, which will be home to more than 4,500 exhibiting companies.
Press said the introduction of new Inspiration Zones will ensure delegates at the show will find it much easier to attend speeches, presentations and debates in between holding meetings. Five of the zones will be located in the heart of the relevant region’s stands, covering the UK and Ireland and International Hub; Europe; Middle East and Africa; Americas and Asia.
He said: “WTM London is daunting and it is massive – if you have a meeting somewhere in Europe on, say, the Italian stand, and you want to go to the WTM Global Stage that can take you 20 minutes to walk it and then you have to come back. “With the regional focus, everyone in the show is much closer to you and that allows people to use their time more productively.”
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