WTM London 2016 is most successful ever

World Travel Market (WTM) London 2016 was the most successful ever with a joint-record attendance of 51,500 and the highest number of exhibitor invitees and buyers in the event’s 37-year history.

This year’s version of the travel industry’s leading global event featured extended opening hours (10am to 7pm) – a move welcomed by the 51,444 senior industry executives in attendance – a 4% increase on last year, according to unaudited figures. The rise sees total participant numbers back to the level of 2014 – a record for the event that launched in 1980.

In addition, the key benchmark of exhibitor invitees and WTM Buyers’ Club members in attendance were also at record levels. WTM Buyers’ Club is the leading business club for senior travel industry decision makers with direct purchasing responsibility, and the number of pre-qualified buyers from the WTM Buyers’ Club that attended the event was up 6% from last year to 9,714.

Total visitor numbers, excluding press, ministers, ministers’ aides and students, stood at 31,951 – a 5% increase on 2015 – and more than 865,500 on-stand connections took place over the event’s three days, leading to more than £2.5 billion in industry deals being negotiated and signed.

A busy first day at WTM London 2016

Simon Press, senior director of World Travel Market London, said: “WTM London has grown at an unprecedented rate in recent years making it the event where the industry conducts its business.

“More than £2.5 billion in industry contracts were agreed at WTM London 2016 with more than 9,700 buyers conducting 865,500 meetings with 5,000 exhibitors.

“The record number of participants, exhibitor invitees and WTM Buyers’ Club members is testament to the success of the new-look three-day WTM London and demonstrates all the key decision-makers and those with purchasing responsibility attend WTM London.”

WTM London 2017 will take place at ExCeL, London between 6-8 November 2017.