The global travel companies and tourist boards from around the world are preparing to set out their stalls at WTM Virtual and Travel Forward Virtual (November 9-11).
Thousands of travel professionals are due to take part in the online events, to showcase their destinations, services and tours to delegates from across the globe.
Many exhibitors have signed up as main stand-holders and – as with live events in the past they are hosting lots of companies within their stands, to add value to the shared experience.
The tourism board of Andalusia – WTM Virtual’s Premier Partner for 2020 – has confirmed that 40 companies will share its stand to help promote products and services from the popular Spanish region.
The USA will be showcasing its destination via the USA Pavilions with other important main stand holders such as Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority.
Other main stand-holders include the tourism authorities of countries as varied as Canada, Indonesia, Korea, Bulgaria, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, the Philippines, a host of Caribbean countries and Costa Rica.
These are each bringing more than 20 stand-holders from their nations.
Meanwhile, companies offering tours, accommodation and tourism services have also taken main stands for next month’s online event.
They include destination management companies such as Abbey Ireland & UK, DER Touristik and Elite Travel of Croatia. Accommodation providers are represented, such as B&B Hotels and Hilton Cancun, as well as other enterprises, such as Davids of London, which offers chauffeur cars, tours and transfers.
Furthermore, there are technology and social media specialists among the main stand-holders, such as Ginger Juice and Juniper.
Even more technology experts can be found among the virtual stand-holders at Travel Forward, which shines a spotlight on travel technology trends and innovations.
These include Vamoos, which provides apps to hotels and travel companies; audio provider Listen Technologies; and cloud technology platform Babble.
Several others offer booking systems and software such as Tourplan; GP Solutions; RightRez, Inc; WeTravel; and wbe.travel.
WTM London’s Senior Director Simon Press said that now, more than ever, it is vital to restore and develop business connections, expand your network and find out about companies that can help the recovery in 2021. The exhibitors range from major tourist boards and destinations, such as Andalusia, the USA and Japan, to specialists offering a host of services, such as responsible tourism, golf, spa and wellness, and attractions.
They have a host of fascinating smaller destinations represented, such as the Falklands, Slovenia, Gibraltar, Malta, Ras Al Khaimah, the Seychelles and more. They are delighted to welcome these exhibitors to WTM Virtual and Travel Forward so they can meet senior buyers and potential business partners from across the globe.”
He added that it will be a different way of networking this year but the WTM Portfolio team has hosted many successful virtual events during this pandemic, so exhibitors and visitors are guaranteed to have a rewarding experience.WTM Virtual and Travel Forward Virtual will set the scene for recovery and innovation in 2021 and beyond.