WTM London 2018 (including the new travel technology event Vwayaje pi devan) saw visitor numbers – including exhibitor invitees, WTM Buyers’ Club members and trade visitors – increase by 6% to 32,700.
WTM London 2018, the event where ideas arrive, and its co-located sister event Vwayaje pi devan experienced this massive 6% increase in visitors fueled by an increase in senior travel and tourism industry professionals attending the event, according to unaudited figures.
Furthermore, members of the international media increased by 1% to 2,700. Overall participant numbers increased to 51,409 – making it one of the highest attended of the 39 WTM London’s that have taken place since it launched in 1980.
The record number of visitors to WTM London – surpassing 2014’s figure of 32,462 – was fuelled by a massive 39% increase in the key benchmark of exhibitor invitee visitors. Exhibitor invitees are among the most important and senior professionals in the travel and tourism industry, invited by exhibitors on the invite-only first day of the event to conduct high-level meetings and conclude business deals. A total of 17,567 exhibitor invitees attended WTM London across the three days of the event (Monday, November 5 – Wednesday, November 7), compared to 12,662 at the 2017 edition.
Nan total la, WTM London experienced almost 89,000 (88,742) visits across the three days. The first day of the event (Monday, November 5) saw 27,240, Tuesday, November 6 experienced 38,035 visits and the final day of the event (Wednesday, November 7) saw 23,467 people in attendance.
The event was also visited by 9,325 member of the prestigious Klib achtè WTM yo alongside the exhibitor invitees these visitors will sign deals with exhibitors worth more than £3 billion.
Total participant numbers increased by 3% from 49,685 in 2017 to 51,409 in 2018.
WTM London 2018 was given a greater regional focus with the introduction of five regional Zòn enspirasyon – UK&I ak Entènasyonal Hub, Ewòp, Azi, Amerik ak Mwayen Oryan ak Lafrik. Zòn Enspirasyon sa yo te mennen nan yon ogmantasyon nan kontni, lide ak enspirasyon pou patisipan yo retounen nan biznis yo epi aplike pou ede kwasans endistri vwayaj ak touris.
This strategy saw a greater number of senior CEOs and tourism ministers take part in the content program – including easyJet’s CEO Johan Lundgren ak minis touris UK Michael Ellis. While more research was added to the program – including dedicated regional research sessions – from respected research organisations including Euromonitor Entènasyonal, Mintel, ForwardKeys ak Nielsen.
Furthermore, the introduction of Vwayaje pi devan – the event to inspire the travel and hospitality industry with the next generation of technology – was a great success with more exhibitors than its predecessor The Travel Tech Show at WTM.
WTM London, Direktè Senior, Simon Press, said: “WTM London 2018 was a fantastic event and the most successful ever. WTM London is the event where ideas arrive and this was proved with a record number of exhibitor invitees in attendance making it among the highest attended events.
“WTM London 2018 was overhauled to have a greater regional focus with the introduction of regional Inspiration Zones. The increase in participants shows this strategy was a great success with the increase in content available at the event, further improving ideas creation at the event and around the travel and tourism industry.”
Audited figures from WTM London 2018 will be available in the New Year.
WTM London 2019 – the 40th event – will take place at ExCeL London on Monday, November 4 to Wednesday, November 6.
eTN se yon patnè medya pou WTM.
