LOTUS at World Travel Market 2018

Europe

PALLADIUM HOTEL GROUP

Stand EU 640

Stories, angles and themes:

Spain’s leading hotel company, Palladium Hotel Group, will be showcasing its brand-new five-star luxury development in Costa Mujeres, Mexico, opening in November 2018, comprising the family-friendly Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort and Spa and adults-only TRS Coral Hotel. The group will also be revealing details to the travel industry of its first hotel in the Costa del Sol, set to open in July 2019, and new contemporary luxury brand BLESS Collection Hotels, with hotels opening in Madrid in January 2019 followed by Ibiza later in the year.

Interview opportunities and meetings:

Nacho Gozalbo, Commercial Director for UK, France and Scandinavia, and Sergio Zertuche, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer available to discuss the imminent opening of new hotels in Mexico, 2019 plans and a phenomenal 12 months working with the UK travel trade

Contact Georgina and Kate at phg@wearelotus.co.uk

Events:

Palladium Hotel Group post-show party on Tuesday 6^th November from 5pm at Aloft London Excel to celebrate recent successes and new developments, open to relevant media and trade. For more information, contact phg@wearelotus.co.uk

 

PALMA TOURIST BOARD

Stand EU 600 (Balearic Islands Tourism Board stand)

Stories, angles and themes:

Palma 365 will be showcasing its recently launched initiative designed to raise awareness of its ‘emblematic shops’ with the aim of helping tourists discover the authentic side of Palma and preserve the local heritage.

The initiative was introduced as part of Palma tourism’s strategy to develop a sustainable year-round tourism model focused on key themes such as culture, shopping and art, which benefit local communities.

As part of the initiative, Palma is publishing a catalogue that includes details of the emblematic shops in Palma that showcase traditional Mallorcan trades such as ceramics, glass-making, patisserie and shoe-making.

Interview opportunities and meetings:

Pedro Homar, General Director of the Palma Tourism Board available for interviews to discuss Palma 365’s new tourism strategy.

Contact palma@wearelotus.co.uk

Events:

Palma Press Conference on Monday 5 November, 12pm at stand EU 600 (Balearic Islands Tourism Board stand) to launch Palma’s new tourism strategy based on the ‘emblematic shops’. To RSVP, please email palma@wearelotus.co.uk

 

BALEARIC ISLANDS TOURIST BOARD (ATB)

Stand EU 600

Stories, angles and themes:

At WTM 2018, the Balearic Islands Tourist Board will be promoting the themes of culture, heritage and sustainability. Coinciding with the European Year of Cultural Heritage, the Balearic Islands will be driving forward a series of initiatives with a view to raising awareness of the islands’ heritage (which lies at the heart of its sustainable tourism policy).

Events:

Balearic Islands media breakfast briefing on Tuesday 6 November at 9.00am at The Crystal www.thecrystal.org London Docklands (five-minute walk to ExCel)

Key topics will include:

• Update on the BI sustainable tourism strategy (including details on the expenditure of the sustainable tourism tax + dealing with the issue of over tourism)
• Strategy & confirmed initiatives to raise the awareness of the island’s cultural heritage.

RSVP at balearicislands@wearelotus.co.uk

Interview opportunities and meetings:

The Balearic Islands have a few slots available for interviews. To discuss this, please contact Kate or Lucy at LOTUS balearicislands@wearelotus.co.uk 

 

CATALAN TOURIST BOARD

Stand EU 400

Stories, angles and themes:

The Catalan Tourist Board will be promoting the Year of Cultural Tourism 2019 which will shine a light on the region’s famous cultural product. 

The Catalan Tourist Board will also reveal tourism objectives, as part of their over-arching tourism marketing strategy 2018 to 2022, including driving regional dispersal, increasing visitor spend and growing visitation in low season.

The tourist board will talk about plans to work with the UK travel trade on the new cultural products and also to develop programmes across the region to drive dispersal and visitation beyond the coastal areas.

Interview opportunities and meetings:

Interviews available with either Octavi Bono – Director General of Tourism (Ministry of Business and Knowledge - Government of Catalonia) Contact: catalunya@wearelotus.co.uk

Events:

Route of Fate Musical Concert on the Catalonia stand (EU 400) on Tuesday 6^th November at 5pm as part of the WTM Festivals.

The Route of Fate is an award-winning film highlighting the series of cultural routes and experiences across Catalonia. An Australian singer-songwriter on tour around Catalonia loses his travel diary in a train station. Two friends find this travel journal and decide to return it to him. Their mission takes them on a great adventure following the cultural experiences detailed in the diary. Singer, Steve Smith, who stars in the film will give a live musical performance. Just turn up.

 

HEATHROW EXPRESS

Stand UK 1400

Stories, angles and themes:

Amadeus and Heathrow Express will be announcing a new partnership at WTM. This will be the first time that Amadeus has partnered with a rail company. Heathrow Express will be announcing a new website and app with a new booking platform for travel agents alongside a new pricing structure. Heathrow Express will be introducing new gates at Paddington so that customers will be able to use contactless payments for the service

Interview opportunities and meetings:

Interviews available with Heathrow Express’ New Business Lead (name tbc but due to start at HEX on 1 November) about new Amadeus partnership, new website and app launch with a new booking platform for travel agents alongside a new pricing structure. Contact frances@wearelotus.co.uk

 

SANTA EULARIA TOURIST BOARD

Stand EU 628

Stories, angles and themes:

The region of Santa Eularia in Ibiza will be promoting its new brand ‘Natural Diversity’ – highlighting the area’s natural assets including 12 new hiking routes. The initiative includes a new cultural route, offering a tour of 14 sites across the region and the launch of a downloadable gastronomy guide.

Interview opportunities and meetings:

Carmen Ferrer, Director of the Santa Eularia region, available for media interviews and trade meetings. Contact jules@wearelotus.co.uk

 

ETOA

Stand TP 600

Stories, angles and themes:

ETOA is the leading trade association for tour operators and suppliers with business in European destinations. ETOA is growing its membership rapidly and in 2018 has surpassed the 1,000 membership mark. The ETOA team has information on statistics and travel trend detail on the growth in long haul source market; which grew by 8% in 2017 and generates more than €12bn in revenue within Europe.

ETOA provides advocacy support on a European level, conducts high profile lobbying campaigns and provides flagship commercial marketplace events for businesses to network and contract.

Interview opportunities and meetings:

CEO Tom Jenkins and Tim Fairhurst, Director of Policy, available to discuss key industry topics including Brexit; capacity management (overtourism) and forthcoming travel trends. Contact frances@wearelotus.co.uk

 

VISIT GUERNSEY

South Gallery Room 16

Stories, angles and themes:

With the cinema release of ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’ firmly putting the island in the limelight in 2018, VisitGuernsey will be continuing the legacy of the film in 2019 and looking at other cultural figures that have been inspired by the island, including Victor Hugo, whose exceptional former Guernsey residence, Hauteville House, reopens to visitors in April 2019 after a three million euro refurbishment.

Interview opportunities and meetings:

Wendy Pedder, Marketing Manager for VisitGuernsey available for media interviews and trade meetings on Monday 5^th and Tuesday 6^th. Contact georgina@wearelotus.co.uk

Events:

VisitGuernsey tourism update and lunch on Tuesday 6^th November, 11.30am in South Gallery Room 16. Mike Hopkins, Director of Marketing and Tourism, will be reflecting on an exciting 12 months for the island with the cinema release of ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’ putting the island firmly in the limelight, and looking at opportunities for 2019. RSVP at georgina@wearelotus.co.uk

 

SPANISH TOURIST OFFICE

TurEspaña: Stand EU 500

Interview opportunities and meetings:

Limited interview slots available with Spain’s Minister of Tourism, Reyes Moroto (note her availability is very limited and interviews will be granted based on the theme and scope of coverage for the destination) and Javier Piñanes, director of the Spanish Tourist Office (UK) to discuss Spain’s tourism strategy. Contact Kate McWilliams spain@wearelotus.co.uk / 0707 953 7470

Events:

Spanish Tourist Office press conference on Monday 5^th November (timing and location TBC, to register your interest, please contact spain@wearelotus.co.uk) .

 

LA PALMA TOURISM COUNCIL

Stand EU 800

Stories, angles and themes:

La Palma Tourism Council will be promoting slow and back-to-nature breaks, highlighting the following two themes:

• Stargazing in a UNESCO Starlight Reserve.
• Hiking in a UNESCO Biosphere

Interview opportunities and meetings:

La Palma is interested in setting up meetings with UK tour operators that sell La Palma or are looking to develop their product portfolio a/o media interested in La Palma as a tourism destination. For interviews or meeting, please contact Isabel at lapalma@wearelotus.co.uk

 

THE REGION OF VALENCIA

Stand EU 750

Stories, angles and themes:

The region of Valencia will be promoting key themes in the region including art & culture, sports and leisure, as well as highlighting the region as an affordable holiday destination for British visitors.

Interview opportunities and meetings:

Meeting a/o interview opportunities are available with the UK travel trade and media. Contact Isabel or Holly Valencia@wearelotus.co.uk 

Events:

The region will be hosting an on-stand wine-tasting for media and bloggers on Wednesday 7 November (stand EU750) from 2pm to 3.30pm. For more information or to register your interest, email Valencia@wearelotus.co.uk

 

ANDORRA TURISME

North Gallery Room 17

Stories, angles and themes:

The ‘Country of the Pyrenees’ continues to grow its number of year-round visitors. Known internationally for its skiing and winter sports, a record number of tourists are now visiting outside the winter season, who come for the stunning mountain landscapes, some of Europe’s best walking and world-renowned cycling. In 2018, the country’s first circular High-Mountain route opened – Coronallacs – offering a 60-mile hut-to-hut walking circuit. In 2019, Andorra will host one of the biggest events on the winter sport calendar – the finals of the Alpine Skiing World Cup.

Interview opportunities and meetings:

Andorra Turisme will be holding meetings with trade partners on Tuesday 6 November in North Gallery Room 17. To request a meeting and find out more about 2019 developments, opportunities to grow and develop new programmes, and marketing opportunities, please contact Georgina at georgina@wearelotus.co.uk

 

GREECE NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANISATION

Stand EU1000

Stories, angles and themes:

The GNTO’s strategy for 2019 will be Greece 365. The Tourism Minister and the Secretary General will talk about developments to welcome visitors to Greece throughout the year.

Visitor statistics Greece has welcomed a record number of visitors in 2018.

Unexpected Greece Find out about hidden gems and unexpected experiences Greece has to offer. Next year Greece will launch a project to promote ancient theatres in Western Greece and will be developing their ski resort infrastructure.

Inspiring Greece: Films and Books From John Le Carré’s novel and TV thriller Little Drummer Girl to The Durrells, and the runaway success of the Percy Jackson series and 30 years of Shirley Valentine, Greece is looking to promote its offering to the film sector.

Luxury From five star resorts in the Peloponnese to the repositioning of popular islands such as Mykonos, Greece is becoming a destination that offers a great deal of choice for the 5 star visitor.

Interview opportunities and meetings:

Interviews are available on request with Elena Kountoura, Minister of Tourism, and Secretary General Konstantinos Tsegas. Contact frances@wearelotus.co.uk for appointments.

Events:

Monday 5 November

Media Centre ME580 Press Conference Room

15.00-16.30 Greece Press Conference and Networking event. Author of ‘The Island’ and ‘Cartes Postales from Greece’, Victoria Hislop will join the Greek Minister of Tourism Elena Kountoura. Victoria Hislop will talk on her personal experiences of Greece, while the Minister will provide the latest updates from Greek tourist industry. A reception of Greek wines and canapés will follow.

On stand events at EU1000

Monday 5 November

10.00-11.00 am Greek Breakfast, Media and travel professionals welcome

12.30-13.30 Media Greek Lunch and cooking demonstration inspired by the Ionian Islands cuisine.

Tuesday 6 November

10.00-11.00 am Greek Breakfast, Media and travel professionals welcome

13.00-14.00 Media Greek Lunch and cooking demonstration inspired by the Ionian Islands cuisine.

Wednesday 7 November

10.00-11.00 am Greek Breakfast, Media and travel professionals welcome

13.00-14.00 Greek Lunch and cooking demonstration inspired by the Ionian Islands cuisine for the UK travel trade.

 

BAHIA PRINCIPE HOTELS & RESORTS

Stand CA300 (Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism stand) and Stand EU800 (Canary Islands stand)

Stories, angles and themes:

New themed family hotel, Fantasia Bahia Principe Tenerife, will open on the popular Canary island this November. Fantasia is the new themed hotel concept from the Bahia Principe hotel group and the Tenerife property will be the first in Europe. The new hotel will offer a magical family holiday filled with unique and memorable experiences for all ages. The star of the show is an enchanting fairytale castle in the centre of the property which will play host to spectacular, multi-media theatrical shows every night. Other special features include waterpark; the Bahia Spa including treatments for kids; family concierge, exclusive teens club, The Loft, complete with private disco; and kids club with a range of activities.

Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts will also share news of the full refurbishment of hotel Luxury Bahía Principe Ambar in the Dominican Republic which is set to become the best-selling Dominican Republic hotel in 2019. Grand Bahia Principe Aquamarine will also become the chain’s first Grand Only Adults hotel within the Bahia Principe chain.

Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts will also announce the introduction of our agent loyalty program - Bahia Principe Rewards – to the UK market.

Interview opportunities and meetings:

Lluisa Salord - SVP Global Sales, Contracting and Distribution

Contact minty@wearelotus.co.uk

 

The Middle East

SHARJAH COMMERCE & TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Stand ME 400

Stories, angles and themes:

The Sharjah Tourism team will unveil tourism plans for the UK and Ireland market in 2018 / 2019 and how they are working with the travel trade to support the Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021 which aims to attract 10 million tourists by 2021.

Sharjah – the third largest of the United Arab Emirates - will focus on core themes including eco-tourism, culture and arts, nature and wildlife, active adventure and family.

Key stories include the Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021, UK trade campaign, new hotel developments, plans for Sharjah as UNESCO World Book Capital in 2019, development of eco-tourism product, and major cultural restoration project – Heart of Sharjah.

Interview opportunities and meetings:

Chairman of Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Khalid Jassim Al Midfa, available to discuss Sharjah’s tourism strategy and how Sharjah Tourism is working with the travel trade in the UK and Ireland market. Contact minty@wearelotus.co.uk

Sharjah is interested in setting up meetings with UK tour operators that sell the region or are looking to develop their product portfolio. For interviews or meetings contact Georgina@wearelotus.co.uk or sarah@wearelotus.co.uk

Events:

Coffee and traditional Emirati delicacies with Sharjah Tourism on Tuesday 6^th November at 3pm on stand ME400. Join Sharjah Tourism and stand partners to learn about key product news on core themes including eco-tourism, culture and arts, nature and wildlife, active adventure and family, plus updates on campaigns and trade activity for the coming year. There will be a number of great giveaways for agents including Emirati food hampers, silk scarves, caps and t-shirts. RSVP to minty@wearelotus.co.uk

 

The Americas

CENTRAL AMERICAN TOURIST AGENCY (CATA)

Stand LA 440 (sharing with Guatemala)

Stories, angles and themes:

With a reported yoy increase in visitors to date in 2018, continued investments in tourism infrastructure, new flight routes and more regular connections between Europe and Central America, the Central America Tourism Agency will be promoting multi-centre travel to the region at WTM.

Events:

Join the Central America Tourism Agency on Tuesday 6^th November at 4pm on stand LA 440 for a cocktail at its annual ribbon-cutting ceremony to announce the location and details of the Central America Travel Market 2019 and the joining of the Dominican Republic to CATA. RSVP to George@wearelotus.co.uk