World travel Market London to inject £200 million into city’s economy

Richard Alvin

ByRichard Alvin

October 28, 2024
World Travel Market (WTM) London, the world’s premier travel and tourism event, is poised to contribute around £200 million to the London economy.

World Travel Market (WTM) London, the world’s premier travel and tourism event, is poised to contribute around £200 million to the London economy.

The 44th edition of the event will take place from 5th to 7th November at Excel London, attracting over 40,000 travel professionals from around the globe.

This year, WTM London is on track to host its largest ever number of exhibitors, reporting a 7% increase compared to last year. More than 4,000 organisations, including global tourism boards, hoteliers, transport services, technology brands, and industry associations, will gather at Excel London for three days of business. It is anticipated that over £2.2 billion in business deals will be finalised during the event.

Data from VisitBritain indicates that international delegates attending UK trade shows spend an average of £352 per day, leading to an estimated visitor spend of £71.2 million. According to a recent report from Deloitte, for every £1,000 spent, a further £1,800 is generated in direct tourism value, resulting in a significant £200 million boost to London’s economy from WTM.

WTM London estimates that 82% of its attendees are international visitors, contributing to the local economy through spending on transport, accommodation, and entertainment. The data shows that 40% of visitors will spend three days in London for the event, while 33% plan to stay at least a week, and 9% will remain in the capital for nine days or more.

Juliette Losardo, Exhibitor Director at WTM London, highlighted the wider economic benefits: “While the travel trade are busy curating that £2.2 billion worth of travel and tourism deals during World Travel Market, we’re proud that WTM also has such a significant impact on our host city of London. The range of accommodation, world-class dining, and wealth of attractions the city has to offer are a real draw for our attendees, many of whom use WTM London as an opportunity to tag on leisure days and, in doing so, boost spend for the economy.”

WTM London has become a critical event for the global travel industry, providing a platform for networking, partnership development, and deal-making. The continued growth in exhibitor numbers reflects its enduring significance and influence, as well as its role in reinforcing London’s position as a leading destination for business and tourism.