World Travel Market London (WTM) is being cut to a three-day event from next year, with opening hours extended from 10am to 7pm for all three days.
The global event for the travel industry will take place between Monday 7 to Wednesday 9 November 2016 at ExCeL London, with the traditional Thursday dropped, following exhibitor and visitor feedback.
According to WTM London, senior director, Simon Press, the move will further cement the event’s place as “the leading global event for the travel industry” and the event where the travel industry conducts its business.
Over the past five years, visitor numbers have grown by 20 per cent to 32,528, with buyer numbers from the WTM Buyers’ Club over the past three events increasing by 16 per cent to 9,124.
A spokesman for WTM said the shorter length will allow exhibitors to reduce their costs.
Press added that participant numbers for WTM London 2014 hit a record 51,500, with the event generating a massive £2.5 billion in industry business deals.
He said: “For the first time exhibitor and visitor opinion has requested that WTM London is a three-day event. Reed Travel Exhibitions has listened to its audience and responded with an event that is exactly what they have asked for, ensuring it remains relevant to the industry’s business needs.
“This decision has been made during a period of record growth for the World Travel Market London, with overall participant numbers at a record high of 51,500, visitor numbers peaking at more than 32,000 and buyer numbers from the WTM Buyers Club at more than 9,100. These record numbers sees the event facilitate more than £2.5 billion in industry deals.”
