WTM 2015 Preview: It's a small world

Stay on top of World Travel Market’s busy programme of events

There’s no such thing as a crystal ball to predict what will happen over the coming year, but World Travel Market might be as close as it gets.

With government ministers, CEOs and head honchos from just about every branch of the travel industry converging on the ExCeL centre in London’s docklands next week, this four-day event is essential for anyone who wants to keep their fingers on the pulse of the travel trade.

Running from Monday to Thursday (November 2-5), the show will see leading industry figures debating the issues of the day, analysing the past year in travel and predicting what’s to come. That’s on top of a buzzing hall packed with delegations from tourist boards, airlines, hoteliers and other exhibitors keen to update attendees on their latest developments.

Read on for the lowdown on what to look out for in the trade show’s busy schedule of seminars.

What lies ahead

Peering into the future is right at the forefront of World Travel Market’s programme, with the WTM Global Trends Report (trade session Tuesday, 12 1pm, Platinum Suite 1) looking at how emerging destinations and demographics will shape the future of global travel.

It’s the 10th annual edition of this report, and draws on data from Euromonitor International to forecast what’s to come in each geographical region, as well as how developments in technology and global branding will affect the industry.

That runs alongside the high level UNWTO & WTM Ministers’ Summit (Tuesday, 11am-1pm, Global Stage AS850) which this year focuses on destination branding, with expert input from Tracey Crouch, UK minister for sport, tourism and heritage, plus World Tourism Organisation secretary general Taleb Rifai and WTM exhibition director Simon Press.

If you’re wondering how all this analysis can help you with day-to-day bookings, Mintel Travel Futures (Wednesday, 12.30-1.30pm, Platinum Suite 1) will be using its first dedicated session at WTM London to present international data on consumers’ appetite for and attitudes to travel, looking at how the changing make-up of households affects the way we go on holiday.

Anyone with entrepreneurial ambitions should also make time for a discussion about The State of European Startups (Monday, 2-3pm, Global Stage AS850). Hosted by Phocuswright, along with the CEOs of Homestay.com and Triptease, it will look at trends in mobile web activity and social networking and their impact on the travel industry.