Changes to World Travel Market's Exhibition Floor Reflect Latest Travel Trends

Dark/Light Mode (20/10/23)  Next month's World Travel Market (WTM), one of the world’s most influential travel trade shows, will have three new areas on the exhibition floor - Accommodation & Wholesalers, Experiences and Transportation.

The new areas, which replace the International Hub and predominantly showcase private-sector and non-destination exhibitors, have been created following research by the World Travel Market team earlier this year.

The behavioural research highlighted the changing habits of travellers, with Millennials and Gen Z increasingly making travel choices based on experiences or bucket lists, as opposed to just the city, country, or region they want to visit.

“While Gen X might go to Spain, New York or Paris, the newer generations want to visit a wellness retreat, go white-water rafting, or learn to cook in a local community,” said Juliette Losardo, Exhibition Director at World Travel Market London. “This year we’ve seen an increase in the number of non-destination exhibitors signing up to WTM London, in response to the shift in requirements of younger travellers, who make travel choices based on what they want to do and experience. The new Accommodation & Wholesalers, Transportation & Experience areas of the show tap into this cultural shift, offering a place where buyers can come and see what is new and exciting on offer, all in one place.”

Floor Plan of WTM 2023 in London, England

A few examples of the exhibitors visitors to WTM 2023 will be able to find in the Experiences area include: Go City (previously known as Leisure Pass Group), one of the world’s largest sightseeing pass businesses; Montparnasse 56, operator of the Montparnasse Tower Panoramic Observation Deck in Paris; XS2Event and Champions Travel both offer access to many of the best sporting events around the world; City Sightseeing, the ‘hop-on hop-off’ tours; Big Bus Tours which allows travellers to discover places on an open-top bus; and City Cruises.

In the Transportation area, visitors can look forward to meeting representatives from car rental companies and other transport providers, such as: European train ticket and rail pass provider Rail Europe; car-rental giant Enterprise Rent-A-Car; German car rental supplier Wheego Mobility; and Global Passenger Network, an organisation of independent coach companies operating in more than 40 countries around the world; Amadeus River Cruises; Dutch Cruise Line BV; and United Rivers AG.

Meanwhile, the subject of experiential travel will be covered during the WTM London Conference Programme 2023.

The programme includes a session by Lonely Planet Vice President Tom Hall, entitled Captivating Experience-Seekers: Adopting the Next Generation Mindset, on the Innovate Stage on Tuesday, 7 November from 10:30 to 11:10.

On Wednesday 8 November from 10:30 to 11:10, Vaishali Patel, Founder and Director, Vaishali Ltd; Jo Fennell, Head of Sales for Northern Europe, GetYourGuide, and Nishank Gopalkrishnan, Chief Business Officer, TUI Musement, will take part in a panel discussion entitled Curating Unique Customer Experiences Anywhere and Everywhere.

This year the WTM will take place at ExCel London from 6 to 8 November 2023.

Editor's note: Travel News Asia will attend WTM London 2023. If you would like to organise a video interview to discuss your company and the latest trends in your sector, send us a message with details.

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