London´s World Travel Market Aims at Record-Breaking Figures, New Stuff

World Travel Market 2005 will be the largest ever. This year sees its fourth consecutive increase in exhibitor space of more than 3 percent increase. Over 5,000 national tourist offices, industry organizations, tour operators, hotels, cruise lines, airlines, other transport operators and technology companies from more than 190 countries and regions will be participating.

The global business event takes place at London ExCeL between Monday 14 and Thursday 17 November 2005.

“Since the dark days of the 9/11 and the many natural and man-made challenges that have faced the international industry since then, there has been a concerted and universal acknowledgement of World Travel Market´s role in helping companies and organizations to build business, identify new markets, make new contacts and keep abreast of the latest industry developments”, said Fiona Jeffery, Group Exhibition Director. “This has been further supported by independent research.

Jeffery said she was particularly delighted to welcome back a number of exhibitors to World Travel Market after an absence. This includes, for example, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Colorado, Massachusetts and a large number of the Canadian Provinces, Territories and tourism partners, who will be present in London to underpin Canada´s new brand launch on the opening day.

The event, which last year attracted nearly 45,000 participants, including nearly 13,000 international buyers (Meridian Club members), has a number of new initiatives, including a dedicated and unique ´show within a show´ Travel Technology area.

With a record number of hotel exhibitors World Travel Market, for the first time, is hosting a major ´Hotels 2005´ panel discussion on Tuesday 15 November at 14.00 hrs at the World Stage.

Another first is the new Personal Event Planner or PEP, helping guide visitors to exhibitors that match their own geographical and sector preferences. For those visitors who have forgotten to print their personal PEP before leaving home, kiosks will be available at ExCeL where they can acquire a copy of their own tailor made list of companies that reflect their personal business interests.

In recognition of the crucially important role of Tourism Ministers at the event and their vital contribution to the industry throughout the year, World Travel Market has also planned for the first time a Ministers´ Program on the opening day.