WTM 2021 Official Preview

Hello and welcome to the official WTM London and Travel Forward 2021 Preview magazine. We’re so excited to be back and to see you again!

WTM London and Travel Forward 2021 will be the largest gatherings of industry professionals for more than 18 months. It’s a must-attend event for delegates wanting to conduct business meetings in person, listen to thought leaders and, of course, catch up with old friends and colleagues face-to-face?

The pandemic is still a challenge for the industry but we are beginning to see positivity returning, and our industry’s recovery has already started. WTM London is proud to be a part of this period of innovation and opportunity.

During the three-day physical show at ExCeL, WTM London will welcome more than 140 countries and regions.

EXCITING AGENDA

The WTM Global Stage and Travel Forward Stage will play a crucial role in ensuring travel delegates and destinations are one step ahead when it comes to planning. The future of our industry will be discussed and presented on the stages with topics emphasising research, trends, and the future of travel.

It’s clear from the engagement of CEOs and C-Level speakers that WTM London and Travel Forward are able to provide this unique opportunity to help deliver essential content and thoughts on how we are able to collaborate to ensure we drive this recovery together. We’re incredibly excited to be welcoming speakers from Expedia, Tui, BBC, Thomas Cook and WWF International.

The UNWTO, WTTC and WTM Ministers’ Summit will once again see the largest gathering of world and tourism leaders, discussing and committing to investing in the industry’s sustainable future – we are building today for the future.
ITIC (International Tourism Investment Conference) will organise a day-long conference that will feature thought-provoking and inspiring discussions on investment and restarting business in the post-pandemic era.

Responsible tourism has always been the driving force of our shows, and we will continue to shout about the need for change as our industry commits to reducing its impact on the world we live in. Sustainable initiatives from around the globe will be celebrated at the Responsible Tourism Awards.

TECH IT OUT

Technology and innovation are Travel Forward’s topics, with well-established brands such as MasterCard, SABRE, Amadeus and SITA sharing insights, best practices, and brand innovations from technology leaders.

Travel Forward will also welcome the Front Runners Travel Tech Competition. More than 350 start-ups from 80 countries have signed up to showcase innovation to a global audience. Finalists will pitch to an international judging panel and an exclusive audience of investors.

The halls might not be as crowded as in the previous 40 years, but I’m confident in-depth, more extended and qualitative conversations will play essential roles during the shows.

WTM London and Travel Forward will be the largest gathering of tourism professionals since 2019, and we count on you to make this happen. It’s something to celebrate, and therefore ensure you register now to be part of this recovery.

For delegates who can’t attend the in-person events, WTM and Travel Forward Virtual will be a two-day virtual event on 8-9 November, designed with one-on-one meetings, networking, and business opportunities in mind.

We can’t wait to connect with you; we can’t wait to see you; we can’t wait to welcome you!

See you at WTM London and Travel Forward 2021.

Simon Press

Senior exhibition director

WTM London