WTM London 2016, for which Irish Travel Trade News is the Official Trade Media in Ireland, has attracted more than 150 new exhibitors, including Sudan’s Ministry of Tourism, Antiquities & Wildlife, which will showcase the vast country’s visitor attractions, including the impressive Pyramids of Nuri, back-to-basics rural tourism, and specialist options such as scuba diving.
San Marino, another newcomer, is one of the world’s smallest countries. The 61 sq km city-state is land-locked by Italy and is the world’s oldest surviving republic. Discover more by visiting the San Marino Tourism Board in the Europe region of WTM London.
Asia welcomes Laos National Tourism Administration and three ground handling companies: Images Travel, Asianway Travel and Asia DMC, which all operate tours throughout Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.
Other first-timers in the Asia section are Shanghai Han Tang International Travel Service – which specialises in sightseeing experiences, airport transfers, package tours and convention services in key destinations in China – and the national airline of Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Airways.
The Indian sub-continent is also well represented in terms of debut exhibitors. Earthen Experiences, based in Delhi, promises “colours of life with flavours of culture, arts and crafts, tantalising cuisine, a touch of wild or simply everything that makes for a truly earthen experience“, while inbound operator Vasco Travel, specialising in bespoke experiences, has some interesting tours on offer.
Indian accommodation provider Dholpur Palace & Lodges has three properties under its banner: the palace hotel Raj Niwas Palace Dholpur in Rajasthan, and two in national parks. Bandhav Vilas in Bandhavgarh National Park and Chitvan Jungle Lodge in Kanha National Park are both in Madhya Pradesh in Central India.
It may be Bhuton Etho Metho Tours and Treks’ first year as a WTM London exhibitor, but the specialist company has just celebrated its 25th anniversary. Meanwhile, Africa welcomes representatives from Universal Travels Uganda Ltd, which organises safaris, transport and tours, based in the capital, Kampala.
Iceland is becoming increasingly popular as a destination and bespoke private travel and chauffeured service Icelimo Luxury Travel, exhibiting in the Europe area, is hoping to capitalise on the rise in popularity in the country.
New to the Global Village is Japanese e-commerce company Rakuten, which counts hotels, transport companies and package providers among its clients. GroupTo, meanwhile, is an app specifically for the groups market, while in the Travel Tech zone, Travelshift software allows companies to build a thriving online marketplace.
Simon Press, WTM London, Senior Director, said: “Once again, we have been impressed at the sheer diversity and range of our first-time exhibitors. They come from all parts of the globe, representing all sectors, to take part in WTM London, the leading event for the travel industry.”
