We're getting ready
to attend the World Travel Market event which runs from 7th-9th
November at the ExCel Centre, London.
It's a massive event
for anyone involved in the travel industry in any shape or form. Tour
operators, travel agencies, tourism organisations will be there in
their hundreds. Around 182 different countries will be represented,
showcasing their destinations, services and products through their
show stands, festivals, dancing, music and cuisine.
Around 100,000
visitors are expected over the three days, mainly professionals in
their field as well as senior travel industry representatives and
ministers from a host of different countries; and of course the
world's press.
It's a major event
that brings buyers and suppliers involved in the world of travel
together under one roof with the aim of achieving new business
connections.
Some 80 thought
provoking and inspiring events are scheduled ranging from travel
award ceremonies to responsible travel and from careers in travel to
world travel leaders discussing Brexit and many more talks and
seminars of importance to those involved in the tourism sector.
There will be shows
within within the show, such as the Travel Tech Show which provides a
platform for suppliers to meet with key decision makers across the
world looking to source technology systems and software.
A host of festivals
are planned from counties including China, Japan, India, Vietnam,
Bolivia, Argentina, the Philippines and many more. And opportunities
to sample regional foods from all over the world.
In 1998 the WTM
chairman Fiona Jeffery founded Just a Drop on behalf of the
travel industry. The charity raises desperately needed fund to build
wells, bore holes, hand pumps and run health and sanitation
programmes through the world. It supports some 900,000 people in 28
countries.
This year Chevy
Kelly, Just a Drop’s ‘marathon man’, will be running a marathon
a day at a treadmill, effectively running three marathons in three
days to raise money for Just a Drop. WTM guests are welcome to either
sponsor Chevy directly, or for a small donation, can select a song
for Chevy to run along to, as their stand will feature a sound
system.
All proceeds raised by these fundraising initiatives will go to providing much needed safe water and sanitation solutions for communities in Zambia and Uganda.
It looks like it's
going to be a lively, colourful three days.
We hope you enjoy these photographs taken by Rob Tysall, here at Words & Images UK last
year.
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