LOTUS AT WORLD TRAVEL MARKET 2019
A round-up of key news angles, interview and meeting opportunities and events taking place across WTM 2019
LOTUS has a range of clients exhibiting at World Travel Market 2019 (4-6 November), and we are looking forward to sharing their opportunities with you.
With a range of press conferences, presentations, events and interview options, there are multiple opportunities for travel media, as well as travel bloggers and the wider travel industry.
Below is a summary of key events and opportunities. Please do not hesitate to contact us to register for an event or press conference, to set up a meeting or interview or to discuss press trips or any other opportunities.
We will continue to update this post with further information in the lead-up to WTM so please do check-in again for additional updates
- Palladium Hotel Group, Stand EU940
- Palma Tourist Board, Stand EU500 (part of the Balearic Island stand)
- Balearic Islands Tourist Board, Stand EU500
- Catalan Tourist Board, Stand EU400
- ETOA, Stand TP 600
- Spanish Tourist Office, Stand EU710
- La Palma Tourist Council, Stand EU600/650
- Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Development Authority, Stand ME400
- CATA, Stand LA440
- Greece National Tourism Organisation, Stand EU1100, EU1150
- Republic of Turkey Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Stand EU1300
- Buenos Aires Tourism Board, Stand LA450
- The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), Stand: CA122
- Liguria Tourism Agency Stand: EU100
- Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts, on Tenerife stand EU600 + Dominican Republic stand CA300
EUROPE
SPANISH TOURIST OFFICE
TURESPAÑA: STAND EU710
JOIN THE SPANISH TOURIST OFFICE AT WTM AS IT REVEALS ITS ‘2030 SUSTAINABLE TOURISM STRATEGY’
Tuesday 5 November @10.30, Spain stand (EU710)
RSVP: Spain@wearelotus.co.uk
Interview opportunities and meetings:
Limited interview opportunities with Spain's Secretary of State for Tourism, Ms Isabel Borrego, and the Spanish Tourist Office UK director Sr. Javier Piñanes. Email spain@wearelotus.co.uk
BALEARIC ISLANDS TOURIST BOARD (AETIB)
Stand EU500
Stories, angles and themes:
At WTM 2019, the Balearic Islands tourist board (comprising Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera) will be outlining the success of its sustainable tourism strategy, including the projects funded by the sustainable tourism tax, as well as revealing its tourism strategy for 2020 and beyond.
Events:
- Balearic Islands WTM presentation
Tuesday 05 November, 11:30 am (stand EU500)
RSVP balearicislands@wearelotus.co.uk
- Menorca pre-WTM lunch
Friday 01 November, 12:30 (MIMO Borough Market)
This event will focus on the island authentic gastronomy and will showcase the local gastro scene (including local cheeses, pastries, olive oils and gin). The event will also look at the gastro developments on the island in recent years and highlight why the island is the ideal destination for foodies.
Places are limited and are available for UK travel or gastronomy media a/o tour operator partners that sell Menorca, please register your interest at menorca@wearelotus.co.uk
- Ibiza press conference & local gastronomy
Monday 4 November, 14.00 (North Gallery Room 6)
Join the representatives Mr. Juan Miguel Costa Costa, Director of the Ibiza Tourism Board along with the President of the Consell Insular de Ibiza, Mr. Vicente Marí Torres, to a WTM presentation showcasing the island tourism plans for 2020, followed by a networking time with some canapés inspired by Mediterranean cuisine accompanied by wines from the land of Ibiza.
Places are limited but to register your interest, pease email balearicislands@wearelotus.co.uk
Interview opportunities and meetings with Balearic Islands tourism board representatives:
One to one interview opportunities and meetings are available with representatives from the Balearic Islands including tourism counselor Iago Negueruela, tourism director Rosana Morillo, tourism managing director Manel Porras and tourism deputy director Vicente Torres. To arrange a meeing, please email balearicislands@wearelotus.co.uk.
Meeting also available with the representatives from Ibiza, Santa Eulalia (Ibiza) and Palma (see below for Palma events/ opportunities).
PALMA TOURIST BOARD
Stand EU 500 (Balearic Islands Tourism Board stand)
Stories, angles and themes:
At WTM, Palma 365 will be promoting its year-round tourism strategy and highlighting the destination as a leading city-break option, as well as outlining how the city is creating a more sustainable tourism strategy, including steps being taken to manage the flow of tourists.
Interview opportunities and meetings:
On-stand one to one interviews with Palma’s tourism director, Pedro Homar to talk about Palma’s tourism strategy and sustainable initiatives, as well as UK media and travel trade opportunities.
Contact palma@wearelotus.co.uk
Events:
Palma Roundtable on Monday @3:30 pm (in a private room on stand) for relevant Spain specialists and travel media to outline the management of tourists to the city. Roundtable hosted by Palma tourism director Pedro Homar and city authorities and will include Q&A.
Contact: Palma@wearelotus.co.uk
CATALAN TOURIST BOARD
STAND EU400
Stories, angles and themes:
At WTM 2019 the Catalan Tourist Board will be promoting the Year of Sports Tourism 2020 which will shine a light on the region’s famous sporting product. The destination will announce its 2020 calendar of world class sports events, including the famous football fixtures at the home of FC Barcelona, Camp Nou, and the La Volta cycling race which celebrates its 100 year anniversary in 2020. The destination will also highlight the diverse range of sporting activities available to visitors to Catalonia, from canoeing to open water swimming, motor sports to road cycling, running to mountain biking.
The Catalan Tourist Board will also reveal tourism objectives, as part of their over-arching tourism marketing strategy to 2020, 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 to develop programmes across the region beyond the coastal areas.
Contact: minty@wearelotus.co.uk
GREEK NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANISATION
STAND: EU1100, EU1150
Stories, angles and themes:
Greece and many of its partners will be exhibiting the best destinations to visit and will be setting up meetings with partners and prospects. There will be a press conference, on stand events and news for 2020
Stories will include this year’s visitor statistics, and news for 2020.
Interview opportunities and meetings:
Since the elections this year, Greece has a new Tourism Minister - Mr Harry Theoharis and a new Secretary General - Dimitris Fragakis. This signifies a new era for Greek tourism and there will be new tourism strategies for 2019/2020
Events:
Press conference will be at 14:00 on Monday 4 November in the International Media Centre followed by Greek wine and canapes. Media lunch on Monday (12 – 1pm) and blogger lunch on Wednesday (12:30 – 1:30pm).
To register an interest please contact Frances Tuke (frances@wearelotus.co.uk)
REPUBLIC OF TURKEY MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND TOURISM
Stand EU 1300
Stories, angles and themes:
There has been significant growth to Turkey in 2019. The country will release and discuss recent visitor statistics
- 2019 is the Year of Göbeklitepe
- Among the trending regions, which have seen most growth this year, are the landmark and historic city of Istanbul, Izmir, Antalya, Mugla, Cappadocia and Gobeklitepe.
Interview opportunities and meetings:
Interview with the Minister to explain the new tourism strategies. To register an interest please contact Frances Tuke (frances@wearelotus.co.uk) or Sergen Tuncelli (sergen@wearelotus.co.uk)
+++ CHANGE OF DATE +++
Events:
Opening Reception at EU 1300 on 5th of November at 13:00 -14:00 pm.
ETOA
STAND TP 600
Stories, angles and themes:
ETOA is the leading trade association for tour operators and suppliers with business in European destinations. A number of ETOA’s 1300 members who represent sectors such as tour and online operators, intermediaries, wholesalers; European tourist boards, hotels, attractions and other tourism tech suppliers will exhibit their products. Key themes are the development of intelligent and sustainable tourism strategies; Brexit and tourism taxes
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.
BREXIT
ETOA, the European Tourism Association is at the heart of the travel and tourism debate on Brexit and its impact on tourism. Members are concerned about the impact of freedom of movement policies on visas and the recruitment and retention of multi-lingual staff. Implications on a no-deal Brexit also concern delays at borders, airports and the Channel Tunnel.
European Tourism Taxes
ETOA has completed the most comprehensive review on Europe’s thousands of tourism taxes which have burgeoned over the past few years. ETOA can speak of its impact on businesses and visitors
Overtourism.
ETOA has initiated a new strategic partnership with a number of different European think tanks to encourage the development of intelligent strategies to cope with the growth in tourism to fragile environments.
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
IN LIGURIA
STAND: EU100
Stories, angles and themes:
The Regional Agency “in Liguria” promotes Liguria as a year-round destination. The unique geography of Liguria nestled between mountains and sea and the combination of culture, nature and history means Liguria can be appreciated for its entertainment, gastronomic heritage and opportunities for sport and outdoor life.
Events:
Liguria will be hosting an on-stand event that invites you to discover the secrets, art, flavours and history of the region. Liguria houses major cities, ancient villages, beautiful beaches and hidden gems. This event will give attendees the opportunitiy to taste the local cuisine and wines from the region. Takes place on Monday 4th November 2019 at 14:00 - 16:00 on the Italian Tourist Board stand (EU 100). To RSVP, please contact liguriawtm@wearelotus.co.uk.
BAHIA PRINCIPE HOTELS & RESORTS
Tenerife stand EU600 + Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism stand CA300
Stories, angles and themes:
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts is the leading all-inclusive resort brand with 25 properties in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Jamaica, Spain and the Canary Islands. Key stories include recent launch of brand’s new segmented ‘Experiences’ - Treasure, Escape and Friends and Family - which allow guests to tailor their holiday; Bahia Principe Rewards programme which launched in the UK in 2018; flagship family hotel, Fantasia Bahia Principe Tenerife, which opened in November 2018; and developments for 2019 / 2020 including refurbishments at Luxury Bahia Principe Akumal in Mexico, refurbishments at Jamaica properties, new waterpark at Luxury Bahia Principe Esmerelda, DR, and new leisure and dining space, Las Olas Beach House, at the Bavaro complex in Punta Cana, DR.
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts Commercial Director Europe, Eva Hausheer, is available for interview.
Contact: minty@wearelotus.co.uk
LA PALMA TOURISM COUNCIL
STAND EU600 - 650
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
- Culture events 2020 – Carnival and June festivities.
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
PALLADIUM HOTEL GROUP
Stand EU 940
Stories, angles and themes:
Palladium Hotel Group will be revealing details to the travel industry of its three new hotel openings for summer 2020, extending the Grand Palladium Hotels & Resorts brand to Sicily, and the Palladium Hotels brand to Menorca for the first time: Grand Palladium Sicilia Resort & Spa, Grand Palladium Garden Beach Resort & Spa and Palladium Hotel Menorca.
The announcement follows the opening of Palladium Hotel Costa del Sol, BLESS Hotel Ibiza and BLESS Hotel Madrid, all of which launched in 2019, as the group continues to expand its brand portfolio in new destinations, while continuing to offer guests the ultimate all-inclusive experience.
Interview opportunities and meetings:
Palladium Hotel Group would love to set up interviews to discuss 2019 developments and 2020 openings as the group continues its international expansion. 2020 openings include Grand Palladium Sicilia Resort & Spa, Grand Palladium Garden Beach Resort & Spa and Palladium Hotel Menorca.
On-stand interview available with Nacho Gozalbo, Commercial Director for UK, France and Scandinavia.
After a phenomenal 12 months working with the UK travel trade, PHG can also update on what activity they have planned for UK agents with a pre-show interview with Joanne Peters – Business Development Manager Palladium Hotel Group.
RSVP: phg@wearelotus.co.uk
Kate McWilliams/ Georgina Oakley / Ellena Jackson
VISITGUERNSEY
North Gallery Room 8 (Tuesday 5th November ONLY)
Stories, angles and themes:
At WTM, VisitGuernsey will be unveiling 2020 campaign plans along with a new brand, as well as updating the industry on tourism to the island in 2019.
Events:
Join the VisitGuernsey team for lunch and a short presentation on Tuesday, 11:30-12:30 in North Gallery room 8 for the unveil of 2020 campaign plans and brand review work by Mike Hopkins, Director of Marketing and Tourism. Relevant for the travel trade and media.
Contact: Georgina@wearelotus.co.uk
THE MIDDLE EAST
SHARJAH COMMERCE & TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Stand ME400
Stories, angles and themes:
The Sharjah Tourism team will unveil tourism plans for the UK and Ireland market in 2020 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, 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, is 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 Woolgar at minty@wearelotus.co.uk or sharjah@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 Emirati refreshments with Sharjah Tourism
15:00, Tuesday 5th November
Please join Sharjah Tourism and stand partners for coffee and traditional Emirati delicacies 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.
Key stories include the Sharjah Tourism Vision 2021, development of eco-tourism product, major cultural restoration project – Heart of Sharjah, and new hotel developments.
Register your place at the event by emailing sharjah@wearelotus.co.uk
THE AMERICAS
The Latin American Travel Association (LATA) will be hosting a panel discussion on the Americas stage on Tuesday 5 November at 10.30 focused on travel trends to the region. Do feel free to join this event (no RSVP necessary).
THE GUYANA TOURISM AUTHORITY (GTA)
STAND: CA122
Stories, angles and themes:
The little-known South American country, Guyana, will be promoting its sustainable tourism initiatives including its community led and owned tourism model, as well as building new relationships with UK partners. Guyana continues to develop it’s sustainable framework to nurture and support new community led and owned projects, as well as working with the travel industry to put the destination on the map
Guyana becoming more accessible with new flight routes into Georgetown
The previously untapped destination of Guyana is now opening up to tourism with a number of major airlines launching new flight routes into the capital, Georgetown. Trans Guyana Airways, in collaboration with KLM, is the latest launching a new route to Georgetown via Suriname from Amsterdam International Airport Schiphol on 01 September 2019. The twice-weekly flight, departing from Amsterdam on Sundays and Mondays at 11.30am will become the fastest route for European travellers to Guyana with a total transfer time of just 12 hours. www.guyanatourism.com
Interview opportunities and meetings:
On stand interview with Nicola Balram representing the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA). Nicola will travel to WTM London to discuss Guyana’s community led and owned tourism framework, the success of the GTA’s sustainable destination management, and new developments within the country’s tourism sector, as well as how the GTA works with UK partners. To set up a meeting, please email guyana@wearelotus.co.uk
Events:
The Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), together with its partners, will be hosting a Guyana Meet & Greet on stand at 3:00pm – 4:00pm on Tuesday 5th November for relevant tour operators, partners and media. The GTA will be launching the new edition of Explore Guyana 2020 at the event which will provide an excellent opportunity to hear more about the GTA and its partners’ work – especially their commitment to Community Led and Owned Tourism – and the tourism offering of the destination over Guyanese refreshments. The event is open to trade and media members, to register your interest, please register here.
BUENOS AIRES TOURISM BOARD
Stand LA440
Stories, angles and themes:
Buenos Aires is one of the most culturally rich cities in the world. The foundation of the Argentine Capital is its people. The city is promoting its ‘We Are Porteños’ campaign showcasing the people that make the city what it is today. The campaign will highlight key tourism pillars such as art & culture, literary links, food, drink & nightlife and festivals and events.
Interview opportunities and meetings:
Buenos Aires is fast becoming the culinary capital of Latin America. The city has a wide and varied gastronomy scene, from humble street food to the highest quality fine dining in the world. A reflection of Buenos Aires’ status on the gastronomic scene was highlighted on 10th October as the city hosted the prestigious ‘Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards’.
Meeting opportunities available with UK travel trade with Buenos Aires Tourism board Director General of Communication and Tourism promotion, Fernando Amer.
RSVP: buenosaires@wearelotus.co.uk
Events:
The Buenos Aires tourism board along with the Buenos Aires Hotel Association and the Buenos Aires Travel Agent Association will be hosting a breakfast seminar showcasing the city’s tourism plans for 2020 and offering the chance to meet with local hoteliers and suppliers. Taking place on Tuesday 5th November from 9am – 10am at The Crystal (registration at 08.45am).
Note - The Crystal is located close to Royal Victoria DLR station and the Emirates Royal Docks cable car station .
Limited places avilable for UK travel agents and tour operators. Register your interest: buenosaires@wearelotus.co.uk
CENTRAL AMERICA TOURISM AGENCY
STAND LA 440 (TBC)
Stories, angles and themes:
The Central America Tourism Agency (CATA) is the international non-profit organisation that promotes multi destination travel to the seven nations of the Central America region and the Dominican Republic.
The Dominican Republic renews full membership with CATA to consolidate its Central American tourism integration
The Dominican Republic is now officially a fully-fledged member of the Central American Tourism Agency (CATA) which has, in turn, helped diversify its tourism product and CATA’s position in key European target markets. The newly instated membership hopes to increase the flow of European travellers to Central America via the Caribbean, which will only be enhanced by the increased frequency of British Airway’s four times weekly flight between Gatwick and Punta Cana starting 21 December 2019. The framework has been set for Central America to bolster its multi destination credentials and for the Dominican Republic to diversify its tourism offer.
New Maya Route 2019 created in Year of Indigenous Languages
In honour of the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) declaring 2019 the International Year of Indigenous Languages, the Maya Route 2019 was created to visit primary indigenous sanctuaries and archaeological wonders across El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and Southern Mexico. To give life back to the ancestral languages that formed the essence of what we now know today as Central American culture, the Maya Route takes expeditioners through local towns, indigenous reserves and archaeological sanctuaries.
Interview opportunities and meetings:
Carolina Briones will be joining WTM London to discuss all the latest developments in the Central American tourism sector and to discuss the multi destination tourism offering of the region.
Events:
The Central America Tourism Agency (CATA) will be hosting a cocktail hour and awards ceremony for media and trade that have best promoted Central America over the last year. Guests can join CATA at 4:00pm on Tuesday 5th November on the Guatemala stand (LA 440) to discuss opportunities in Central America, network with fellow industry members and (most importantly) enjoy a cocktail made from Central American produce. To RSVP, please register here: CATA Cocktail and Awards Hour