World
Travel Market 2013, the leading global event for the travel industry,
will be the biggest and best ever with an increased focus on three
growth sectors of travel technology, luxury and business travel.
The
new look WTM 2013, which takes place between Monday 4 – Thursday 7
November, will see;
• The
Travel Technology region become its own event within WTM called The
Travel Tech Show at WTM
• World
Travel Market is also launching a dedicated Luxury Showcase, in
association with fellow Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) event
International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), and
• Business
Travel Market (BTM), WTM’s sister event, will co-locate with WTM at
ExCeL for Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 November
Travel
Technology has been the event’s fastest growing region over the
past few years. In 2011 the region grew by 40% and has increased by a
further 30% for WTM 2012. WTM 2011 generated more than £102 million
in industry deals for travel technology exhibitors and is the biggest
travel technology event in the UK (in terms of floor space,
exhibitors and events programme).
The
success and size of the Travel Technology region merits it being an
event in its own right. Technology purchasing is done by different
buyers to holiday contracting and this will be recognised by The
Travel Tech Show at WTM, with dedicated focus and resource.
The
Travel Tech Show at WTM will take place across the four days of WTM
(Monday 4 – Thursday 7 November).
Recognising
the growing importance of the luxury sector WTM is launching a
two-day Luxury Showcase event, which will take place on Monday 4 –
Tuesday 5 November at ExCeL, London.
The
first day will be appointment-led with the second day including a
dedicated conference programme.
Finally,
RTE research shows 17,000 WTM visitors are interested in business
travel meaning the co-location of Business Travel Market with WTM
improves the offering for exhibitors and visitors for both events and
demonstrates RTE’s continued commitment to deliver new business
opportunities for its stakeholders.
Reed
Travel Exhibitions Chairman World Travel Market Fiona Jeffery said:
“World Travel Market is the event where the industry comes together
to conduct its contracting. WTM 2012 will generate close to £2
billion of industry deals, following on from WTM 2011 facilitating
£1.7 billion.
“The
increased focus on travel technology, luxury and business travel will
only increase the business opportunities for both WTM exhibitors and
visitors across the four days of WTM 2013.
“Travel
technology at WTM has been phenomenally successful over the past few
years so it was the natural and obvious progression to give it its
own event status.
“The
luxury market has ridden the recent global financial downturn better
than any other sector and is a growing market around the world. While
the high proportion of WTM visitors interested in business travel
means the co-location of Business Travel Market will increase the
business potential for exhibitors and visitors from both events.”