World Travel Market (WTM) 2003 was the largest in the event’s 24-year history, increasing in size by nearly three per cent compared to the previous year, according to organisers Reed Exhibitions Ltd.
The new venue, the ExCeL Centre in London’s Docklands area, played host to a record 190 exhibiting countries, including a large number from across the Middle East. The total number of exhibitors reached 4,886.
“Overcoming terrorism, conflict and other issues such as SARS has, sadly, become inescapable for the travel and tourism industry,” said Fiona Jeffery, Group Exhibition Director. “But the massive presence here at WTM demonstrates that the industry is still a formidable economic force that can and is helping to address some of the world’s problems, such as jobs and extreme poverty.
“World Travel Market has a major role to play in helping the industry as it continues to fight for business and prosperity. In a global industry that is developing at an unprecedented speed, driven by factors such as technological development, globalisation and the rapidly changing patterns of consumer preference, WTM is an important business forum where professionals from all corners of the world can come together to talk, to network and to learn,” she said.