WTM

WTM 2017: Europe suffering the strain of tourism

With ‘overtourism’ the talk of the town at WTM London, Dave Richardson looks at the effect it is having on Europe and the Mediterranean coastline

WTM 2017: Virtual reality check

Using virtual reality in travel is much more than simply placing a headset on a customer’s head and showing off a destination, argues Laduma’s chief executive Ben Smith – now’s the time to make the business case

WTM 2017: Northern Ireland in line for the throne

Game of Thrones has put Northern Ireland firmly on the map of players in the international tourism game

WTM 2017: Maldives' ocean of plenty

Of all the world’s luxury destinations, few seem to open resorts at a pace as fast as the Maldives. April Hutchinson reflects on a busy year for the country and sees what else is on the horizon

WTM 2017: Rise for Cyprus visitor numbers

Cyprus celebrated a record year for visitor numbers this year, with a 14.7% rise in arrivals compared with 2016

WTM 2017: Antigua in tourism push to help Barbuda recover

Antigua and Barbuda will use WTM London to stress that it is open for tourism, despite the damage caused by Hurricane Irma as it swept through the Caribbean

WTM 2017: Sri Lanka set for UK focus

Sri Lanka will renew its UK marketing efforts in 2018, setting up a dedicated company to promote the island with an increased budget

WTM 2017: Visitor numbers to India soar following premier partnership with WTM London last year

Visitor numbers to India are on the up following a successful partnership with WTM London last year, updates to the e-tourist visa prgramme and independence celebrations this year

WTM 2017: UK urged to reduce VAT to attract long-haul

UK authorities should reduce taxes like VAT to make the destination more attractive to long-haul visitors

WTM 2017: Asia Pacific on the right track

Tourism across the Asia Pacific region is showing unwavering growth – Debbie Ward investigates this year’s updates in airlift, accommodation, infrastructure and activities

WTM 2017: Under the influence

Tomorrow marks WTM London’s first influencer speed-networking event, sponsored by Whalar. The company’s James Street and Amelia Perrin talk about the impact of this new type of digital marketing

WTM 2017: It’s time to talk responsibly

Responsible tourism is the only way to sustain the future of our industry. Matthew Hampton discovers how WTM London delegates plan to implement this and why bees, not bears, could be part of the solution

WTM 2017: Metropoles on the rise

Although faced with physical and ideological barriers, arrival numbers in cities continue to thrive. We investigate travel trends revealed in the new-look Top 100 City Destinations Ranking report by Euromonitor International

WTM 2017: EuroPride heads to Sweden for 2018

Sweden will capitalise on the hosting of EuroPride in two of the country’s cities next year, as the nation looks to expand its global appeal

WTM 2017: New national parks for Chile

Chile is expected to enjoy a rise in international visitors during its peak summer season between December and March 2018

WTM 2017: US Civil Rights Trail launched

The Deep South US state of Alabama hopes to attract more visitors in 2018 when the US Civil Rights Trail is launched – a multi-state route taking in more than 80 sites linked to the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s

WTM 2017: Ministers' summit: Encourage tourists beyond hotspots

Destinations must encourage tourists beyond their popular hotspots if they are to tackle the issue of overtourism

WTM 2017: New hotels for Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando Resort has revealed plans for two new hotels on the site of its former Wet ’n Wild property

WTM 2017: Bahrain: Pearl diving predicted to be major tourism draw in 2018

The pursuit, which has been illegal in Bahrain for the last 80 years, is now available for visitors to the island kingdom

WTM 2017: Japan to invest USD $80m in tourism says JNTO President

The nation will invest $80m in order to attract more leisure travellers ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics, said Ryoichi Matsuyama, president of the Japan National Tourism Organization

WTM 2017: Catalonia promises visitors a 'normal experience' despite unrest

Holidaymakers can still enjoy a “normal experience” in Catalonia despite the ongoing independence crisis in the Spanish region

WTM 2017: Communities must work with industry to tackle overtourism

Working together with local residents in key destinations could help the travel industry to start tackling the growing problem of overtourism

WTM 2017: Travellers must be 'ambassadors of peace'

Travellers across the globe have the duty to act as “ambassadors of peace” and strive to strengthen ties with the communities they visit

WTM 2017: Rio looks to offset negative perceptions

A focus on a new year-round programme of events in Rio de Janeiro has been highlighted of a way of offsetting ongoing negativity around the city, including media reports of continued violence