If you open it, will they come? This year’s WTM London (aka World Travel Market) has confirmed that it will take place in November, but how many of last year’s record 50,000 delegates will – or will be able to – attend this year remains to be seen.
The UK government recently sanctioned the resumption of Britain’s exhibitions industry (and some large gatherings) effective Oct. 1, thus enabling WTM to confirm its Nov. 2-4 dates, however international visitors are currently subject to the dictates of the UK’s “travel corridor” exemption list of countries whose citizens are not required to self isolate for 14 days upon arrival. Over 75 nations are on that list – but not Canada (and perhaps more understandably the US).
The world’s largest English language travel show, which annually attracts a wide range of industry personnel – from tourism ministers and industry leaders to supplier buyers and deal-makers, travel agents and media – will also no doubt be faced with a significantly smaller and poorer global travel industry to draw from and delegates who may be reluctant to resume regular travel activities in a country that has been one of the worst afflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a Zoom call from London, WTM’s head of sales Jonathan Hull acknowledged that participation in the show from the Americas region will be heavily impacted. “We expect to see reduced participation from North America as well as South America,” he said.
Still, it’s a long time until November in coronavirus world and several regular Canadian delegates have told Travel Industry Today that they are planning to attend.
To be held at ExCel London, WTM will be paired with the travel technology exhibition Travel Forward and London Travel Week and is expected to be one of the first major exhibitions to take place globally since the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“This is truly fantastic news to hear with regards to not only our industry but also the thousands of companies we directly support through WTM London in the global travel and tourism industry,” says Event Director Simon Press of the UK announcement to allow exhibitions to proceed. “By hosting both a live and virtual event as part of WTM London 2020 we will be providing a truly essential service for the global travel and tourism industry as it looks to rebound heading into 2021.”
Press says that sentiment from prospective attendees has been high, according to surveys and focus groups, but acknowledges that due to pandemic the situation is “fluid and ever-changing.”
Nevertheless, he adds, the event is planning a typically first-rate list of events featuring leading industry figures, prompting WTM to expect “a very good performance even in this very difficult of years.”
The 2020 event will be themed “recovery, rebuild and innovate” and will incorporate both a live event at the ExCel centre in East London as well as a virtual event taking place online the week after.
Furthermore, the leading travel technology exhibition Travel Forward, which is co-located with WTM London at ExCeL will showcase the latest technology that will help rebuild the industry.
Encompassing both WTM London, Travel Forward and the myriad of industry events taking place across the capital, London Travel Week will take place Oct. 30 to Nov. 5 highlight travel experiences from around the world.
Organizers of all three events vow that the highest standards of health and safety will be followed across all elements of the shows this year, adhering to UK government guidelines on all aspects of COVID-19 prevention.
Among the protocols at WTM will be managed capacity, increased ventilation and cleaning, physical distancing and one-way aisles, cashless and pre-packaged food, and no cloak rooms.
“Visitors can be safe in the knowledge that not only will they have the chance to meet other travel and tourism professionals in person for the first time since the outbreak of COVID-19, but they will be able to do this in a safe environment too,” says WTM portfolio director Claude Blanc.
Throughout the pandemic, the WTM Portfolio have delivered a wide variety of events and tools designed to help the industry in its recovery. The WTM Global Hub was launched in April creating an online resource filled with webinars, blogs and videos designed to assist all aspects of the industry.
In June, the portfolio also debuted its first online exhibition – ATM Virtual. The event attracted over 12,000 attendees from 140 countries joining the proceedings for one-to-one meetings, conferences & seminars and virtual stand visits.
In July, Travel Forward launched its inaugural Travel Forward Online event as well, bringing together industry leaders from the global travel tech community to discuss and debate the issues and to advance the adoption of innovative technologies to help smooth the transition to a new post-COVID reality.