Lotus at World Travel Market 2016

KEY EVENTS/ NEWS ANGLES/ INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES
 

The Balearic Islands:

Stand Number: EU1400

Located in the Mediterranean Sea, the Balearic Islands archipelago continues to be a favourite holiday destination for British visitors. The Balearic Islands will continue to promote its winter events, its culture and its positioning as a world-class cycling destination. For 2017, Palma Velodrome will see the return of the high profile cycling competition Six Day, attracting the crème de la crème of the cycling elite.

Palma also welcomes the opening of a new state-of-the-art conference facility in 2017. The new Palacio de Congresos will change the face of MICE tourism to the Balearic Islands with more than 6000m2 of conference space, suitable for more than 3000 delegates.

Events for Press and relevant bloggers:

Monday 7^th November at 3pm: Balearic Islands press conference on the stand (EU1400)

Tuesday 8^th November at 11am: Cycling in the Balearic Islands press conference/ presentation (featuring special guest) on the stand (EU1400)

Tuesday 8^th November at 4.30pm: New Palacio de Congresos (in Palma) presentation on the stand (EU1400)

All Balearic Islands events are open to media, bloggers and relevant industry guests. To register your interest, please email kate@wearelotus.co.uk / 0207 953 7470
 

Palladium Hotel Group

Stand Number: EU1803

One of Spain’s leading hotel companies with 50 properties around the world, Palladium Hotel Group, will be celebrating the opening of the new five star Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife which opens in October 2016. Located on the edge of a lagoon on the sunny southern coast near Adeje, the 624 room resort, spread across two towers (Oasis and Nirvana) will boast three main pools, access to the natural seawater lagoon and multiple entertainment areas.

Events for industry, press and relevant bloggers:

Monday 7^th November from 6pm-8.30pm: Launch party for Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife at The Fox (ExCel) for trade and media. Invite only. To register your interest, please email hrht@wearelotus.co.uk

Interview opportunity: VP Global Sales and Marketing, Sergio Zertuche, is available to discuss the opening of Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife, and new developments for 2017 across Palladium Hotel Group’s other brands and individual hotels. To set up an interview with Sergio Zertuche, please contact Kate or Georgina hrht@wearelotus.co.uk / 0207 953 7470.

Trade meetings: The PHG commercial team will be in London to meet with their major tour operator partners. To set up a commercial meeting with the PHG team, please contact Kate or Georgina hrht@wearelotus.co.uk / 0207 953 7470
 

Greek National Tourism Organisation

Stand Numbers: EU1200, EU1270

With a number of new flights and hotel openings already announced from various airlines, tour operators and hotel companies for next year, Greece is looking forward to welcoming even more UK visitors to its islands and mainland resorts in 2017. New flight routes to Greece have been unveiled by Ryanair, Thomson and Jet2, while new luxury hotels are set to open on Zante, Halkidiki and Athens.

Events for press and relevant bloggers:

Monday 7 November from 1.30-3pm: GNTO press conference and networking event at the WTM International Press Centre (M3850). The GNTO will be providing an update on the latest visitor statistics, new openings and plans for 2017, as well as providing a buffet lunch.

Monday 7 November from 12-1pm: Networking event on the Greek stand (EU1200) sponsored by the Region of Crete for trade and media. Wine tasting and a cooking demonstration will take place, serving Crete delicacies.

Tuesday 8 November from 2.30-4pm: Q&A with historian, author and broadcaster Bettany Hughes to discuss her love of Chios Island followed by a reception with Chios local liqueurs and sweets. 

To register your interest for any of the above events, please contact Tim Thackray tim@wearelotus.co.uk/ 0207 953 7470
 

Costa del Sol Tourist Board

Stand Number: EU 1700 (Costa del Sol – Andalucía Stand)

Costa del Sol will be showcasing its brand new 360º virtual visitor experience at this year’s WTM. It allows travellers to explore the monuments, towns, landscapes, marinas, beaches, caves and plazas of the region using the beautiful 360º displays. Guests can view this online or use virtual reality headsets to explore the destination. The 3D experience is available here (www.visitcostadelsol.com/360).

Costa del Sol will also be also celebrating the recent award of UNESCO World Heritage Site to The Dolmens de Antequerra burial monuments which are located close to Malaga.

Events for press and relevant bloggers:

Tuesday 8 November from 9 – 10.30am: Costa Del Sol breakfast to showcase the region’s new 360º virtual visitor experience. The breakfast will take place in the Docklands West Suite at Crowne Plaza London Docklands (9-minute walk from ExCeL) including presentations and continental breakfast. To register your interest, please email tim@wearelotus.co.uk
 

Visit Guernsey

Stand Number: UK1540

VisitGuernsey is continuing to promote itself as a leading British Isles port of call for cruises and in addition will be launching a wellness campaign at WTM. Wellness is a key focus for 2017 with new hotel and tour operator packages for improving physical fitness / mental health to Guernsey and its sister islands of Alderney, Herm and Sark. VisitGuernsey will also be exhibiting in the WTM Wellness Lounge for the first time on Wednesday 9^th November.

Interview Opportunities: The Marketing Manager for Visit Guernsey, Wendy Pedder (TBC). To arrange a meeting, please contact georgina@wearelotus.co.uk
 

Castilla Termal Hotels

Stand Number EU1500 (sharing a stand with TurEspaña/ the Spanish Tourist Office)

Castilla Termal Hoteles are a selection of authentic four and five star thermal spa hotels located in Spain’s regions of Cantabria and Castilla-Leon. Combining historic buildings with health, gastronomy, culture and leisure, the four hotels offer an authentic Spanish wellness experience in a quintessentially Spanish environment.

Meeting opportunities: The Castilla Termas representatives are interested in meeting with specialist tour operators focusing on health and wellbeing, as well as key Spanish specialist operators looking to develop their product offering. To request a meeting, with the Castilla Termas representatives, please contact Lucy@wearelotus.co.uk
 

Ayre Hoteles

Stand Number: EU1803 (part of Palladium Hotel Group)
Following the unprecedented success of the boutique Only You Hotel & Lounge in Madrid, Ayre Hotels is launching a brand new lifestyle property next to Madrid’s well-known Atocha train station. The Only You Hotel Atocha, scheduled to open in early November 2016 (just in time for World Travel Market) will be one of Madrid’s most stylish openings of the season with unique design elements created by Barcelona based interior designers Lázaro Rosa-Violán.

Interview opportunity: Hotel representative Julio Portillo will be available to discuss the new Madrid opening. To set up a meeting, please contact Kate or Georgina phg@wearelotus.co.uk / 0207 953 7470.
 

The Central America Tourism Agency 

Stand Number: LA260 (part of the El Salvador stand)  

The Central America Tourism Agency (CATA) is the tourism promotion agency of the seven countries of Central America: Belize, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Honduras and Guatemala. CATA continues to promote multi-destination travel in the Central American region.

Events for industry, press and relevant bloggers:

Monday 7^th November from 4.30pm – 5.30pm: Cocktail reception to celebrate the Central America region. To register your interest, please email cata@wearelotus.co.uk

Interview Opportunities: The General Secretary of CATA, Carolina Briones to discuss tourism developments and the growth in visitors numbers to Central America.To arrange a meeting, please contact Lucy@wearelotus.co.uk

Trade meetings: The General Secretary of CATA, Carolina Briones, is keen to meet major tour operator partners and discuss collaborations for 2017. To arrange a meeting, please contact Lucy@wearelotus.co.uk

Other Lotus clients participating at World Travel Market:

Alaska Travel Partners / Stand Number: NA370c
Comprising Visit Anchorage, the Alaska Railroad and Fairbanks, the Alaska Travel Partner representatives cover the main tourism areas of Alaska, also known as ‘The Last Frontier’. 
The Alaska travel partners are available for meetings with their UK trade partners and relevant travel media. 
To arrange a meeting with the Alaska Travel Partners, please contact rebecca@wearelotus.co.uk

Ibiza Tourist Board / Stand Number: EU1430
Ibiza will continue to promote its more authentic side, showcasing the ‘other side of Ibiza’, away from the nightlife.
Meeting opportunities: To request a meeting with the Ibiza representatives at WTM, please contact jules@wearelotus.co.uk

Santa Eulalia Tourist Board / Stand Number EU1430 (part of Ibiza stand)
Ibiza’s second largest town, Santa Eulalia, is located on the East of the island and offers a pretty coastline, authentic restaurants, and a wide selection of top-of-the-range hotels making it an ideal holiday spot.
Meeting opportunities: To request a meeting with the Santa Eulalia representatives at WTM, please contact jules@wearelotus.co.uk

Palma Tourist Board / Stand Number: EU1400 
The Balearic capital of Palma de Mallorca will continue to promote the city away from the summer months, focusing on key events and tourism developments. This city will also be promoting the new Palacio de Congresos set to open in 2017 as Palma’s leading congress and events space.
Meeting opportunities: To request a meeting with the Palma representatives at WTM, please contact kate@wearelotus.co.uk

Latin America Travel Association: no stand
The Latin America Travel Association (LATA) will once again be hosting its WTM party on Tuesday 8 November in central London. This will be a private event for LATA members and a small group of Latin American specialist media.
LATA will also be hosting a round table event during WTM for senior Latin America destination representatives to share key learning and discuss the primary themes influencing travel between Latin America and the United Kingdom. 
For more information on either of the above events, to receive the press release following the round table discussion or to find out more about LATA, please email latapr@wearelotus.co.uk or visit http://www.lata.org.

Rafa Nadal Sports Centre & Academy by Movistar / Stand Number: EU1400
Located in Manacor (Mallorca) the Rafa Nadal Sports Centre and Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar a new high performance centre offering a range of packages for amateur and professional tennis players, as well as facilities and programmes for other sports disciplines such as cycling and triathlon. Launched in June 2016, the centre aims to pass on the techniques adopted by Rafa Nadal and provide a friendly environment for sportsmen and women of all levels, whether its individuals, couples, groups or schools.
To arrange a meeting, please contact Tim@wearelotus.co.uk.