WTM London 2018 to Offer a ‘Taste’ of Food Tourism

Aiming to help the global travel industry keep on top of the trends, the World Travel Market (WTM) London this year is placing a special focus on food tourism, a diverse and evolving sector. WTM London 2018 will take place November 5-7 at ExCeL.

“Food tourism is an emerging standalone sector but it also resonated with other parts of the business,” WTM London, Conference and Seminar Manager Charlotte Alderslade, said. “It is part of the living like a local trend, part of the tours and activities growth, has its place at the luxury and budget end of the market and is a truly global phenomenon.”

During WTM London 2018, three sessions dedicated to food tourism will take place moderated by Erik Wolf, founder of the World Food Travel Association (WFTA).

– “Food Tourism 2025: What You Need to Know Now” – Tuesday 6 November from 10:30 – 11:45 in Platinum Suite 3

The session will take a detailed look at how food tourism will develop in the medium term. Destinations looking to grow their existing footprint or enter the market need to think ahead and ensure standards are set.

The session will also look at controversial issues such as the connection between food tourism and overtourism, and growing concern over food waste and plastic.

Speakers at the session are: Roberta Garibaldi, Professor, Marketing and Tourism Management University of Bergamo, Italy; Patrick Torrent, Executive Director, Catalan Tourist Board; Maria Athanasopoulou, Owner,  Respond on Demand marketing agency; and Udi Goldschmidt CEO Jerusalem Culinary Institute.

– Sustainability in food tourism – Wednesday 7 November from 14:00 – 14:30 in the UKI & International Inspiration Zone (TA190)

The specific issue of sustainability in food tourism will be considered in a session with Clare Jenkinson, Senior Destinations and Sustainability Manager of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA). The one-on-one interview will look at the successes of ABTA’s initiatives across many aspects of sustainability and how the lessons learnt can help the food tourism industry.

– Incorporating food into its culture – Wednesday 7 Nov 2018 from 15:30 – 16:00 in the Middle East & Africa Inspiration Zone (AF190)

Many destinations have a local cuisine, but the kingdom of Jordan has incorporated food into its culture through the practice of karam – welcoming guests and even strangers with food and drinks. Dr Abed Al Razzaq Arabiyat, Managing Director Jordan Tourism Board will talk about how this creates a positive impact on visitors and how other destinations can use this approach to inspire their own food tourism culture.

A global survey of 50,000 travellers from Booking.com found that more than six in ten choose a destination for its great food or drink and that more than a third plan to take a dedicated food tourism trip sometime in 2018.