WTM London 2018 (including the new travel technology event Tafiya Gaba) 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 Tafiya Gaba 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.
Gaba ɗaya, 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 Club din Masu Sayen WTM 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 Yankunan wahayi – UK&I da International Hub, Turai, Asiya, Amurka da Gabas ta Tsakiya da Afirka. Waɗannan Yankunan Wahayi sun haifar da haɓaka cikin abun ciki, ra'ayoyi da zaburarwa ga mahalarta don komawa kasuwancinsu da aiwatarwa don taimakawa haɓaka haɓakar masana'antar balaguro da yawon shakatawa.
This strategy saw a greater number of senior CEOs and tourism ministers take part in the content program – including easyJet’s CEO Johan Lundgren ne adam wata da kuma ministan yawon bude ido na Burtaniya Michael Ellis. While more research was added to the program – including dedicated regional research sessions – from respected research organisations including Euromonitor International, Mintel, YardarKaya da kuma Nielsen.
Furthermore, the introduction of Tafiya Gaba – 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, Babban Darakta, Simon Latsa, 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 abokin haɗin watsa labarai ne na WTM.
