World-class market research firms will be at WTM London and Travel Forward to reveal their insights and forecasts about the future of travel in a post-pandemic world.
As borders around the world re-open for international tourism, professionals from across the global travel industry will reunite physically once more at ExCeL London on November 1-3.
As well as WTM’s own annual Industry Report, which looks at key consumer and trade trends, there will be wide-ranging, in-depth market research presented by leading specialists such as Euromonitor, ForwardKeys and Oxford Economics.
The opening conference of WTM London will unveil the WTM London Industry Report 2021.
Taking place on the WTM Global Stage on the opening day, the report will set the agenda for conversations and negotiations that will be taking place on the exhibition floor. Travel expert Simon Calder – a journalist – will be the moderator for the session.
Later the same day, ForwardKeys will present ‘New Markets, New Opportunities – The new paradigm to post-Covid travel’. Taking place on the Travel Forward Stage, the session will showcase examples of destinations that are forging ahead with their recovery.
Further insights will be revealed on the second day of WTM by Oxford Economics – a leader in global forecasting and quantitative analysis. Oxford Economics Managing Director – Europe and Middle East David Goodger will be joining a panel on the WTM Global Stage for the session entitled ‘Fixing travel’s broken business model for 2022’.
Another traditional highlight for WTM London is the annual Euromonitor International report. This year, it will be presented on the third day during a session called ‘Travel Rewired: Innovation strategies for a Resilient Recovery’.
Euromonitor Head of Travel Research Caroline Bremner will present the market research specialist’s report about tourism forecasts, consumer preferences and priorities across digitalisation, sustainability, health and wellbeing for key regions.
The travel research specialists will also reflect the calls from consumers and campaigners to take heed of the climate emergency and ensure a sustainable, resilient recovery.
WTM London & Travel Forward Exhibition Director Simon Press said: “With the substantial pent-up demand for travel in 2022, it’s crucial for delegates to gain a competitive advantage by learning about the opinions and intentions of consumers and trade professionals.
“The scale of the challenge is shown by stats from the World Travel and Tourism Council – it says the travel and tourism sector generated nearly $9.2 trillion around the world in 2019 but that fell by 49 per cent in 2020 as the pandemic struck.
“The sector’s contribution to the world economy has recovered by 31 per cent this year but that was mainly driven by domestic spending. Next year could see another year-on-year rise of about 32 per cent as the recovery continues – but travelers still face restrictions and uneven vaccine rollouts.
“Our own research, along with studies from Euromonitor, ForwardKeys and Oxford Economics, will help delegates formulate their strategies for that recovery and discuss the best ways to rebuild and innovate, as they reconnect with fellow professionals on the exhibition floor.”
