DRLondon: WTM London, the event where ‘Ideas Arrive’, to be held from November 5 to 7, will conduct a key education event to figure out how to increase travel industry sales to LGBT people. WTM London has partnered for 15 years with one of the industry leaders – Out Now, an LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) specialist responsible for many of the world’s leading LGBT marketing campaigns as well as industry-leading research and educational training on how to best understand and meet the needs of this important group. LGBT travellers account for an annual travel spend of more than $211 billion, according to Out Now Global LGBT2030 Study. In the session on November 6, Out Now CEO Ian Johnson will present case study examples of best practices and reveal the latest LGBT2030 data about the directions of this valuable market.
INSTAGRAM’S IMPACT ON TRAVEL
This year, WTM London’s Global Stage will kick off with a look at Instagram’s impact on travel. As the app’s influence continues to grow, the session will ask how travel marketers can get involved. This will be followed by a talk entitled ‘How to Get Billions of Video Views’, which will explain how a handful of video creators are responsible for billions of Facebook views and show how to work with them. The UNWTO and WTM Ministers’ Summit, on the theme of Investment in Tourism Technology, will have a panel discussion on private sector technology investment, followed by the Ministerial Roundtable, which will tackle the broad issue of funding tourism’s future.
BREXIT TAKES CENTRE STAGE
Businesswoman Susan Hooper, who sits on the board of the Department for Exiting the European Union (DExEU), will be the keynote speaker at the exclusive Leaders’ Lunch on the first day of WTM London 2018. Hooper sits on the boards of Wizz Air, The Rank Group and Uber UK. She will be interviewed by the new CEO of World Travel & Tourism Council, Gloria Guevara, who will ask Hooper about subjects including the opportunities and threats the sharing economy poses to the travel industry, the future of aviation, cruising and tour operating.
WTM London Senior Director Simon Press said, “Having Susan Hooper address our Leaders’ Lunch at such a crucial time is a real coup. She is directly involved in issues like aviation agreements and the hiring of overseas staff in the post-Brexit environment that will have a critical effect on our industry. Moreover, as a board member of Uber, Susan can talk about the rise of the sharing economy and its impact on travel.”
TOURS AND ACTIVITIES SECTOR
WTM London 2018 edition has created an area dedicated to exhibitors in the tours and activities sector recognising the market’s huge potential. Major names such as Merlin Entertainments, City Sightseeing and Leisure Pass Group have signed up for the new zone, along with regional specialists. A study by travel industry research specialist Phocuswright found that the tours and activities sector reached $135 billion globally in 2016, accounting for 10 per cent of global travel revenue – more than rail, car rental or cruise. Startups and major brands – including Expedia, Airbnb and TripAdvisor – have moved into the sector to fuel “astonishing” growth, said Phocuswright, which forecasts the market will reach $183 billion by 2020. Travel Forward, the new travel and hospitality technology event co-located with WTM London, has secured the presence of the three travel technology giants – Amadeus, Travelport and Sabre. Richard Gayle, Event Manager, Travel Forward, said, “This is the first time in more than a decade that the three firms have taken part in one of our events in the UK. Their presence confirms that the decision to upgrade our travel tech offering has the backing of the businesses that matter.” The companies have been active in the space since 1987, 1971 and 1960 respectively.
Launched in 1980, WTM London facilitates £2.8 billion in industry deals, has around 5000 exhibitors from 182 countries and regions, and 51,000-plus participants.
Destination Reporter is a media partner for WTM London 2018.
