For the first time in its 40-year history, World Travel Market will be held as a completely virtual event this year taking place from Monday 9 – Wednesday 11 November 2020.

Sarah Salord, Director at GEC PR, has attended many World Travel Markets over the years and has put together some tips to help exhibiting travel brands, whether a tourist board, hotel group, airline, experience or travel technology provider, make the most of the event this year:

  • For WTM Virtual, each exhibitor badge is allocated 10 appointments over the three day event which will take place on the meeting platform Connect Me – so have a clear focus on who you want to meet with and why to ensure meetings are booked with the most relevant contacts for you and the company.
  • Populate your exhibitor profile with up-to-date information on your brand as this is an easy and beneficial way to present new products and services, as well as provide background material. This could be presented in a company factsheet, press releases highlighting news announcements and upcoming events, short and creative videos as well as profiles on key representatives attending WTM.
  • Although not physically taking place in London, WTM Virtual will be observing the UK GMT time zone with opening hours from 7am – 10pm. This could mean some international travel brands may not be able to attend appointments due to the time difference, so hiring a UK agency to attend these meetings on your behalf can ensure brands make the most of the event and meet with contacts restricted to UK working hours.
  • There are a range of live conference sessions, roundtables, forums and destination briefings taking place virtually across the three days so plan some time during the day to attend these events as they can provide helpful and interesting market trends. If you’re unable to attend, PR agencies are also able to attend on your behalf and send reports following the event with key points discussed.

With the right planning and support team in place WTM, whether taking place physically or virtually, can be a great opportunity to develop business connections and expand networks, as well as to keep up-to-date with what’s happening in the travel industry and plans for the future.