Last year, the first-ever virtual World Travel Market (WTM), London took place. It was a big contrast to usual as, instead of running the length of Excel about 100 times, we were planted firmly in front of our screens! We are very much looking forward to getting back to the buzz of this year's live show with our clients Majorca Tourism Foundation, Calvia Foundation, Greater Miami CVB and ANTOR.
The 2020 event was not without its tech challenges, platform crashes, difficult connections, and underperforming search engine but we did not let this deter us and overall we got excellent results for our clients on their WTM projects: Greater Miami CVB, Majorca Tourism Foundation, and ANTOR holding over 100 meetings.
Greater Miami CVB needed to re-engage with the travel trade
We recommended that Miami use WTM 2020 to relaunch the destination to the travel trade for 2021, directly with the tour. operators, travel agents, and the MICE market. We set-up and held 26 meetings on behalf of the GMCVB throughout the event and delivered presentations to UK prospective buyers. 10% were held in our own virtual office, which we used, when necessary, as a backup. We showcased the #MiamiShines campaign and the support the GMCVB can provide over the coming months. The agents eagerly shared their past, current, and future business stats for Greater Miami and the latest trends they have observed. We put Miami "top of mind" at a vital time for the tourism industry when there was a spike of consumer interest in travelling due to recent vaccine developments.
Majorca Tourism Foundation wanted media coverage while participating in WTM
Majorca Tourism Foundation met up with 30 different publications, including trade media, consumer media, bloggers, and freelancers. The foundation shared their Covid-safe and sustainable tourism plans and also announced its new app, “Safe Beaches”, which will be launched for the 2021 season. The app will enable the crowds on the beaches of the island to be monitored. The information generated about the use of these public spaces will be available to both residents and visitors.
Results produced coverage in most trade publications, including Travel Bulletin. TTG and Incentivetravel.com with more interviews and coverage in the pipeline.
ANTOR was looking to increase its membership
Not only were many ANTOR members exhibiting at the event, but the association was also there to talk to 30 destinations about joining the organisation. As their secretariat, we were able to discuss what ANTOR membership can do for national. regional and city tourist boards and representatives, through sharing good practices, events, and market Intel.
ANTOR is a long-standing WTM partner, and we therefore suggested and ran a webinar on the pivoting role of the tourism promotion organisation. Speakers on the panel included Tracey Poggio, Chairman, Dennis Englund, Market Director UK & US, VisitDenmark, Gabriel Dorch, Head of Travel Trade, Visit Sweden, and Patricia Maher, CEO, Grenada Tourism Authority. This year, there will be another ANTOR panel available to watch on-demand.
ANTOR greatly increased awareness of its purpose and potentially has 15 new members for 2021.
Will you be at WTM live this year? Do you need any help with events or appointments? Get in touch with us at pr@representationplus.co.uk