Organizers, Countries Ready for Today´s Kickoff of WTM 2005 in London

London´s World Travel Market (WTM 2005) is beginning today as countries and organizers gird for what will probably be one of the event´s most memorable and remarkable editions of all time.

Organizers of World Travel Market are introducing many new initiatives and developments this year to keep the event fresh and relevant.

The improvements range from a brand new Ministers Program to a sophisticated means of matching visitors to exhibitors, providing all registered delegates with information about their stated areas of product and geographical interest.

Fiona Jeffery, Group Exhibition Director said that every year there are new ideas, but that the management team have been working on a large number of strategic, long term steps to take World Travel Market on to a new era.

“The event needs to have a direct bearing on what is happening now in the global industry, as well as addressing predicted trends and patterns that will affect the way in which we all conduct business in the future,” Mrs. Jeffrey pointed out.

“Change has always been synonymous with the industry but the pace of change has accelerated to a different speed never seen before. As the business event for the international industry, it is important that we help to lead the way, signposting change now, next year and in the years ahead,” she went on to say.

How the travel and tourism industry should respond to terrorism is also the focus of a debate at World Travel Market organized by the International Institute of Peace Through Tourism (IIPT).

The panel debate, “A Strategic Travel Industry Response to International Terrorism”, is taking place today at ExCeL London.

The Canadian Tourism Commission will be launching their new European brand. The fact that so many Canadian provinces, territories and tourism partners have decided to return to the event shows great support for the brand and its implementation.

World Travel Market 2005 will equally see South Korea´s tourism launching a new logo and organization name, “Korea Tourism Organization,” to keep up with current trends.

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is participating in the premium international travel and tourism exhibition for the 16th consecutive year supported by the largest-ever delegation comprising 98 companies in the hospitality, travel and tourism sector in Dubai.

The Dubai stand at the 26th edition of the WTM 2005 spreads out over 605 square yards and showcases Dubai´s fast expanding travel and tourism industry in front of a global audience.

Last year WTM featured 46,201 participants out of which 21,115 were overseas participants. The total number of participating countries were 193 and the number of exhibitors were 5,105.