DRMumbai: As the countdown begins for WTM London 2018, to be held from November 5 to 7, the organisers are calling on digital influencers to apply for its hugely-popular and biggest-ever WTM London Digital Influencers’ Speed Networking event (formerly called the Bloggers’ Speed Networking).
The UNWTO & WTM Ministers’ Summit, the largest annual gathering of tourism ministers, will take place on November 6. This will also be the first summit for the UNWTO’s new secretary general, Georgia’s Zurab Pololikashvili, who took up the position in January. The summit will address investment opportunities in tourism technology and the need for stronger public-private partnerships in the field.
Simon Press, Senior Director, WTM London, who will also address the summit, said, “This year’s topic is a particularly important one as technology can help tourism remain a force for good in terms of global connectivity and sustainability. We are also excited to introduce a new format for this year, which should bring greater focus to the debate.”
Sponsored by Turkish Ministry of Culture & Tourism, the fifth edition of the 90-minute session will take place at the Global Stage Networking Area (AS1000) on November 7 at 9 am. It will see 120 leading industry digital influencers hold quick-fire business meetings with exhibitors interested in increasing their media exposure.
Paul Nelson, WTM Portfolio Press & PR Manager said, “The number of digital influencers attending WTM London has increased. The fifth Digital Influencers’ Speed Networking will be the biggest yet with 120 digital influencers taking part, with an increased focus on YouTubers and Instagrammers.”
Travel Forward, a technology conference being co-located with WTM London this year onwards, will bring together innovative technology providers with senior executives in the travel industry. Richard Gayle, Manager, Travel Forward, said, “Very often, technology-related events leave customer and business needs as an afterthought. By putting the customer first, we can help travel organisations prioritise their resources and decide strategy from a business perspective.”
Johan Lundgren, easyJet’s new CEO, will share his plans for the airline’s future at WTM London 2018 in a one-to-one session with leading airline consultant John Strickland. Lundgren joined the low-cost carrier in December 2017, taking over from Carolyn McCall, at an uncertain and challenging time for the industry, with Brexit looming on the horizon. He will talk about the airline’s preparations for Brexit, as well as other challenges such as regulation and increased competition in the aviation sector. John Strickland’s one-to-one session with Johan Lundgren is part of the ‘WTM Meet The Travel Leaders’ series of interviews which are designed to give delegates a unique insight into challenges and opportunities.
