World Travel Market 2005 was the largest ever. Held at the ExCel l Exhibition Centre from November 14th – 17th this year saw its fourth consecutive increase in exhibitor space of more than 3%.
Over 5,000 national tourist offices, industry organisations, tour operators, hotels, cruise lines, airlines, other transport operators and technology companies from more than 190 countries and regions participated.
"Since the dark days of the 9/11 and the many natural and man-made challenges that have faced the international industry since then, there has been a concerted and universal acknowledgement of World Travel Market's role in helping companies and organisations to build business, identify new markets, make new contacts and keep abreast of the latest industry developments", said Fiona Jeffery, Group Exhibition Director. "This has been further supported by independent research.
"The demand to exhibit has grown extensively and is inevitably reflected in the continued strong performance of the industry with an expected rise of between 5% and 6% this year."
Jeffery said she was particularly delighted to welcome back a number of exhibitors to World Travel Market after an absence. They included the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Colorado, Massachusetts and a large number of the Canadian Provinces.
One hundred and twenty three new exhibitors took part including Kyrgyzstan, Bhutan, Websource, Mongolia, Air Astana., emen, Etihad Airways, Kuwait, Oasis Adventures, Iran, Port Ghalib, Agadir, Pyramids Golf and Saudi Arabian Airlines, Canal Andalusia Tourismo.
The event, which last year attracted nearly 45,000 participants, including nearly 13,000 international buyers (Meridian Club members), had a number of new initiatives, including a dedicated and unique 'show within a show' Travel Technology area. The technology initiative was supported by a two half-day conference. Hotels and Airlines Focus
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