WTM 2001 has attracted several new exhibitors including Armenia, Cameroon, Puerto Rico and Panama, organisers said.
WTM group exhibitions director Fiona Jeffery said she was "heartened by the incredible tenacity of the exhibitors". She said the organisers had received "wonderful messages" of assurances from exhibitors around the world. Many other countries have decided to increase the size of their stands to make a bigger splash this year. Croatia is taking up considerably more floor space while Estonia and Hungary have both increased the size of their stands by almost 50 per cent. The Netherlands has a new, inspired open plan design for its stand that will include a bar area this year. The South Pacific Tourism Organisation has decided to return to WTM following a brief absence. Several other new exhibitors have been attracted to WTM, including the Caribbean hotel chain Rosewood Caribbean Resorts and the luxury Thai-based property group Six Senses. Time Inc magazines, Time and Fortune Europe, have signed up as international media sponsors for the event.