50,000 industry professionals attend World Travel Market 2013
London : The World Travel Market 2013 and UNWTO Ministers’ Summit here focused on different issues of travel and tourism.
The Summit is one of WTM’s highest profile events, bringing together some 200 tourism ministers and their aides. The theme for this year’s Summit was the importance for governments to bring air transport and tourism policies closer together.
UNWTO Secretary General Dr Taleb Rifai said in the first eight months of 2013 aviation grew by 5.1% and will close the year 4% up, ahead of what the UNWTO was predicting earlier this year. Rifai added that aviation is tipped to grow by 4% in 2014, despite ongoing concerns over taxes and visas.
Technology might help ease the situation around visas. Svend Leirvaag, Vice President of Government Affairs, Amadeus said: “If you standardise [the application process] then this way you have the networks to build a web of connectivity. You can really learn from the aviation industry.”
Aviation taxes are also a headwind for the tourism industry. Beverly Nicholson-Doty, Commissioner of Tourism, United States Virgin Islands, Chairman of the Caribbean Tourism Organization said: “Make no mistake that taxation has a big impact on the whole business of travel and has an effect on all of us.”
Elsewhere, WTM’s Premier Partner Visit Flanders hosted a standing-room only press conference, offering an update on its plans to mark the centenary of the Great War. New initiatives revealed today include the “Light Front ’14” project. Visit Flanders is looking for 8,750 participants to stand along the 87.5 kilometres of the original Front Line next October, one person every 100 meters.
Former Brazilian superstar football Ronaldo was at WTM to promote the Brazil World Cup as part of the ‘Next stop Brazil – 2014 FIFA World Cup update’, organised by football governing body FIFA.
Earlier, World Travel Market 2013 opened on 4 November with a greater focus on business than ever. The event is predicted to generate more than £2 billion worth of deals this year alone while London will be more than £160 million better off as it plays host to almost 50,000 industry professionals attending the show.
Likewise, Catalonia, Abu Dhabi, Korea Tourism Organisation and South Africa are among the exhibitors to be honoured with awards for their stands at World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry.
The Best Stand Awards were judged by an expert panel, which included; Sarah O’Donnell, Deputy Editor, Conference News; Bill Richards, Partner, Tram Research; and Beryl Preuschmann, Managing Director, Triporganiser.net.
Catalonia (EM1640) won the award for best stand design, thanks to its eco-friendly, carbon-neutral approach, and the way its green message reflected the region and its ambitions.Judges said it was innovative and offered good spaces for business, as well as being cosy and practical.
The honour of the best stand for doing business went to Abu Dhabi (ME300) which was praised for its effective use of lighting and drapery.The stand’s structure featured TV screens describing which each exhibiting partner offered.
Korea Tourism Organisation (AS550) scooped the award for the best stand feature, thanks to its film of ‘sand drawing’, which drew a great deal of attention from delegates at WTM.
The best stand personnel award was given to South Africa (AF300), where staff were hailed as very polite. Also, the stand was described as interesting, with a circular design that drew delegates in.
The award for the most innovative stand in the travel technology section was given to FLIP.TO (TT487). The exhibitor employed a robot which moved around the exhibition floor offering a conference link to its MD in the US via an ipad.
The judges also made special commendations to two exhibitors – Rwanda (AF230) and Just a Drop.
Rwanda was commended for its circular design which created a welcoming atmosphere, while Just a Drop had two stands which outlined what the charity did in an attractive and clear manner, allowing the visitor to “understand the concept and the essence of the charity through how the stand was presented, without verbal messaging”. For more info : http://www.wtmlondon.com
