“In a post-Covid world, people need human contact,” she tells TTG. “Live events are a perfect catalyst for connection.”
WTM is also more than just conferences and one-to-one meetings. “From the opening party to events on exhibitor stands, London is buzzing during WTM week,” Losardo enthuses. “There’s truly no better place to build your travel connections.”
Last year saw almost 44,000 attendees, but Losardo says there is room for improvement. “We’re on track to deliver the biggest show to date and expect this number to increase again.”
WTM London will welcome more than 80 new exhibitors this year: this includes a 9% increase in destinations taking part, Africa being the fastest growing region at the event, as well as 22% more accommodation brands and a 16% increase in participation from the technology sector.
Newcomers include the island of Kos, Latvia Travel, Turkey’s Corendon Airlines and the DMC Kuoni Tumlare.
The theme of this year’s show, TravelPower, is an evolution of 2023’s Power to Change. “Whether you consider the GDP impact of tourism, the size of its global workforce or the communities it transforms, it’s easy to see travel has the power to change the world,” says Losardo.
“Tourism has a unique ability to build bridges of understanding and empower emerging economies.”
She adds: “The travel professionals at World Travel Market are the nucleus of that change. We believe every individual has a role to play and we hope to hear stories on how people have found their power, or if they haven’t yet found it, we hope to help them discover it over the three days in November.”
Losardo highlights the 2024 conference programme, drawn up by a new team of advisors. In 2023, WTM London saw a 29% increase in conference attendance. “Prioritising topics that address, challenge and inspire the global travel audience is paramount,” she says.
The advisors have created sessions across six broad themes, including DEAI (diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion) travel trends, geo-economics, marketing, sustainability and technology.
“Some of my must-attends are the exclusive reveal of the WTM Global Travel Report, which will uncover must-have information for travel business strategies for the year ahead, and – of course – the 18th Ministers’ Summit in association with UN Tourism and the World Travel and Tourism Council, which is always a fascinating watch.”
