The World Travel Market (WTM) has opened its doors for this year’s edition in London, bringing together a day filled with presentations, launches, and major announcements from key players in the global tourism sector. Among the first notable visitors was Julia Simpson, CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), who participated in the inauguration of several key spaces, including the Saudi Arabia Pavilion and the Dominican Republic’s stand, among others.

David Collado, the Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, expressed gratitude to Simpson for her recognition of the country’s stability, public-private collaboration, and the warmth and beauty of its people, highlighting the Caribbean nation's growing attraction in the global tourism market.

A standout moment of the day was the opening of Saudi Land, the Saudi Arabia Pavilion at WTM, led by Saudi Minister of Tourism Ahmed AlKhateeb. He was joined by Sir Chris Bryant, Minister for Creative Industries, Arts, and Tourism of the United Kingdom, and Julia Simpson. The Saudi Pavilion showcased the Kingdom’s diverse destinations, rich cultural heritage, and unique history, attracting professionals and visitors with an impressive visual display.

During the WTM welcome ceremony, Jonathan Heastie, portfolio director of the fair, emphasized the size and significance of this year’s edition, stating, “The pavilions are already full for the largest WTM London ever. This year, we have over 4,000 exhibitors from 184 countries worldwide.” Heastie highlighted the commercial potential of the event, noting that travel deals worth £2.2 million were closed last year, and anticipated an “extraordinary” gathering this year, with over 200 speakers participating in 70 sessions.

The WTM London, one of the most significant global tourism events, is celebrating its 45th edition at the ExCeL London from November 5 to 7, 2024. The fair brings together over 40,000 tourism professionals from around the world, generating an estimated economic impact of €238 million, primarily in sectors like transportation, accommodation, and leisure in the British capital. This event has become a key platform for networking and promoting the growth of the tourism industry.

An impressive 82% of WTM attendees are expected to be international visitors, many of whom extend their stay in London. Of these visitors, 40% plan to stay for three days, 33% for at least one week, and 9% for nine days or more. This extended stay boosts tourism spending in the city, estimated at an average of £352 per person per day, contributing significant revenue to London.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the Saudi Tourism Authority, emphasized the impact of tourism on the economy and job creation for young people, entrepreneurs, and remote communities, stating, “The jobs we create are opportunities for youth and new talents.”

The fair also addressed diversity and inclusion in the travel industry. During a diversity panel, LoAnn Halden, Vice President of Communications for the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA), urged companies to adopt long-term inclusive policies, going beyond specific dates like Pride Month. Jane Cunningham, from Destinations International, highlighted that good inclusion “benefits both visitors and residents of destinations.”

In the accessibility area, Greece presented its advancements with the installation of Seatrack infrastructure on 250 beaches, facilitating water access for people with disabilities. Eleni Skarveli, representing Greek Tourism, emphasized that hospitality is an essential part of their national identity: “We want visitors to feel well taken care of and enjoy their experience.”

WTM's technology program focused on the theory and practice of seamless travel, addressing challenges in the airline industry. The day ended with a debate on whether the complexity of travel is a result of technology or integrated aviation processes, with attendees divided nearly equally.

Other highlights included the launch of the "world’s largest holiday giveaway" by Visit Maldives and India’s announcement of its free e-visa initiative, Chalo India, aimed at boosting tourism in the country. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, unveiled a pavilion featuring 61 key players in Saudi tourism, including leaders from visionary projects like NEOM and the Diriyah Company, exploring new opportunities for collaboration.

With impressive international representation and record participation, the first day of WTM London 2024 promises to be a fair filled with innovation and strategic agreements that will drive global tourism in the coming years.