Senior industry buyer numbers top 10,000 for the first time, and Exhibitor Invitees also at record levels
The numbers of senior industry buyers and travel professionals invited to do business at WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, rose yet again for 2017.
The key benchmarks of exhibitor invitees and WTM Buyers’ Club members in attendance topped last year’s record figures at WTM London.
WTM Buyers’ Club is the leading business club for senior travel industry decision-makers with direct purchasing responsibility. The number of pre-qualified buyers from the WTM Buyers’ Club who attended the event over the three days stood at 10,484 – up 8% on 2016.
Furthermore, the number of senior industry executives invited by exhibitors to do business at WTM London rose significantly, up 14% year-on-year to 16,049 – including an 8% rise on Monday 6 November (invite-only day) to 11,861.
There was also an improved spread of attendees across all three days, with Monday’s numbers up by 1% and Wednesday seeing a rise of 9% year-on-year, further cementing the three-day format for WTM London – introduced last year.
WTM London 2017 experienced almost 88,000 (87,794) visits across the three days – Monday 6 – Wednesday 8 November. The first day of the event (Monday 6 November) saw 28,154 visits – an increase of 1% on last year. This included 5,715 senior buyers from the WTM Buyers’ Club, an increase of 11% compared to the first day of the 2016 event.
Tuesday 7 November saw a massive 35,113 visits, including 7,525 senior buyers from the WTM Buyers’ Club. Wednesday 8 November experienced 24,527 visits, including more than 4,000 (4,021) from the WTM Buyers’ Club – an increase of 21% on the final day of the 2016 event.
WTM London again attracted around 50,000 (49,685) delegates.
The bumper numbers for the WTM Buyers’ Club and senior executives being invited to WTM London mean the event is predicted to facilitate £3 billion in industry business deals, beating last year’s record of £2.8 billion.
WTM London, Senior Director, Simon Press, said: “WTM London has grown at an unprecedented rate in recent years with the seniority of delegates continuing to increase.
“I am delighted to see almost 10,500 senior buyers from the WTM Buyers’ Club and more than 16,000 Exhibitor Invitees in attendance. These record numbers further demonstrates that WTM London is the event where the industry conducts its business deals. Around one million business meetings took place over the three days of the event which will lead to £3 billion in contracts being signed.”
Audited figures of WTM London 2017 will be available in the New Year.
WTM London 2018 will take place at ExCeL London on Monday 5 – Wednesday 7 November.