WTM 2024: 40,000 Tourism Professionals to Contribute £200m to London Economy

The World Travel Market (WTM) 2024 exhibition, the most influential travel and tourism event in the world, is expected to contribute approximately £200 million to the London economy in just a week’s time, according to organizer RX Global.

Held at Excel London, over 40,000 travel professionals are set to attend the 44th edition during November 5-7.

On track to host the most exhibitors the show has ever seen, WTM London has reported a 7 percent growth in exhibitor numbers this year, with over 4,000 global tourism boards, hoteliers, transport services, technology brands, associations and experiences set to will take to the halls of Excel London for three days of business. It’s estimated that in excess of £2.2 billion worth of business deals will be signed this year at the event.

“While the travel trade are busy curating that £2.2billion 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,” WTM London Exhibitor Director Juliette Losardo said.

Expo delegates on average spend £352 per day

According to VisitBritain data, international delegates visiting the UK for a trade show on average spend £352 per day, which estimates a total visitor spend of £71,215,218. In a recent report from Deloitte, they suggested that for every £1,000 spent, a further £1,800 is generated in direct tourism gross value, totalling an impressive £200m injection from WTM London into the economy.

WTM London estimates that 82 percent of attendees are international visitors who are spending money on transport, accommodation, and entertainment during their time in the city. Forty percent of visitors are spending three days in London for the event; 33 percent are spending at least seven days in city; and 9 percent of international visitors are staying in the capital for at least nine days.

“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,” Losardo added.

WTM London has announced the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) as its premier partner this year.

The Greek Travel Pages (GTP) is an official media partner of WTM London.