World Travel Market 2012, the leading global event for the travel industry, will generate more than £410 million for exhibitors in its Global Village region, reveals independent research.
The Global Village covers travel and tourism businesses with a global presence, such as major hotel chains, industry organisations, educational institutions and ground transport.
Independent analysis by Fusion Communications of the WTM 2012 Global Village region reveals £410,086,693 of contracts will be generated, either through deals signed at the event with WTM Buyers’ Club (formerly known as WTM Meridian Club) members or from further negotiations which will conclude before WTM 2013.
The WTM 2012 business generated figure is an impressive 46% higher than WTM 2011’s £280m.
The Global Village region had 18 exhibitors from all parts of the industry appearing for the first time, representing the unrivalled diversity of suppliers at WTM 2012. They include the K+K boutique hotels chain, wholesaler Adonis, Autorent Car Rental and Chic Outlet Shopping in Europe
Regular exhibitors such as Rotana, Alamo Rent A Car & National Car Rental and Best Western were also in attendance, while others provided speakers for seminars and presentations.
Global Village exhibitors were strongly represented at the WTM Speed Networking events on the Monday and Thursday of WTM 2012. Exhibitors took advantage of the chance to meet contacts briefly before the event opened and arrange a more detailed discussion later.
Overall WTM 2012 will generate £1,860m of business for all exhibitors before WTM 2013 opens on 4 November.
WTM continues to generate double-digit business growth for the global travel industry despite the gloomy economic picture of the past few years. WTM 2012’s £1,860m-worth of deals is 13% ahead of 2011’s £1,653m, which was 16% ahead of 2010’s £1,425m, with the 2010 sum representing a 25% hike on 2009.
Reed Travel Exhibitions Director World Travel Market Simon Press said: “The amount of business WTM 2012 conducted for the Global Village is phenomenal and a testament to WTM’s role in facilitating business on a truly global scale.”
