A message from Reed: World Travel Market 2002

Monday, 21 Oct, 2002 0

Exhibition space at World Travel Market 2002 (11-14 November) has increased by just over 10% with more than 5,000 exhibitors and 82 new destinations or companies exhibiting for the first time.

The rise to an unparalleled 36,210 square metres of exhibition space at World Travel Market, means this is the largest ever held. A total of 181 countries will be participating worldwide.

The record size coincides with the event’s move to the more spacious new riverside location of ExCeL at London Docklands.

Virtually all regions have shown growth compared with last year. For example, Africa has taken 21% extra space, Europe 20% and the Americas and Caribbean 9%. The number of sharing companies has also gone up by 5%.

“This is a very important indication of international support for World Travel Market at its new home”, said Group Exhibition Director, Fiona Jeffery. “ We are delighted that for the first time for some years, we have been able to meet exhibitor requests for further space.

“Many companies are planning an unprecedented amount of activity during the four days by taking advantage of the 55 event, meetings and function rooms.

Among the 16 new countries exhibiting for the first time are Azerbaijan, Algeria, Yemen, Aruba, St. Maarten, Monaco, Serbia, Canouan Island and Senegal.

Ms. Jeffery explained that it was not possible at this early stage to estimate visitor numbers. “We have staged the largest and most ambitious marketing and communications campaign in the history of World Travel Market to ensure that we attract a quality audience”, she said.

World Travel Market 2002 represents the culmination of two years work for organisers on the move to ExCeL. In particular, they have focused on detailed planning of on-site logistics and transportation for the event.

For example, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), which links with the London Underground and serves ExCeL, will operate up to a two-minute peak service, following the successful introduction of 24 new trains, due to be fully operational in time for World Travel Market. Each train has a capacity for 400 passengers and will loop between Canning Town and Custom House for ExCeL.

Customer service staff will be on hand at Custom House and Canning Town to direct passengers. In addition, announcements will be made on DLR trains and platforms. Additional signage is also planned at all key DLR stations. World Travel Market has negotiated two reduced-rate Visitor Travelcards to save money and eradicate queuing. The tickets are valid for either three or seven days and offer unlimited travel on the London Underground network, DLR, and London Buses.

Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan is to attend the opening day of World Travel Market 2002 as its Guest of Honour on Monday 11 November.

Queen Rania will join 150 Government Ministers, Ambassadors, National Tourist Board Directors and other industry VIP’s at the official Opening Ceremony, to be performed by Mr. Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London.

Queen Rania will present seven worldwide winners with the prestigious World Travel Market Global Awards at the Opening Ceremony, make a brief tour of the exhibition stands, as well as speak at a lunch for an invited audience of senior industry leaders.

“We are delighted that Her Majesty will be supporting World Travel Market on this very important day in its new home”, said Fiona Jeffery, Group Exhibition Director. “She has always shown considerable interest in the work of the international travel and tourism industry, its worldwide economic benefits, particularly to emerging markets, and its unique ability to foster understanding across all countries, religions and cultures.”

Her Majesty’s visit to the World Travel Market is part of a short working visit to the UK.

A River Thames spectacular, featuring the UK’s Royal Marines, helicopters, illuminated speed boats, lasers, coloured lights, aquatic pyrotechnics, music, fireworks and community choirs are just part of a welcome extravaganza for World Travel Market 2002 on the opening day, Monday 11 November.

The party for the world’s leading business to business event marks its move to the new state-of-the-art waterside ‘home’ of ExCeL in London’s Eastside.

World Travel Market’s Official Welcome – WOW for short – is being staged on behalf of the east side of London business and tourism community, with assistance from TourEast London and the Mayor of London, Mr. Ken Livingstone, champion of the regeneration that has transformed the area into ‘the new London’ and ExCeL.

For all further information on the event, pre registration and booking of flights, hotels and the World Travel Market Travelcard, log on to www.reedtravelexhibitions.com and click on the WTM logo.