The indispensable guide to WTM 2018
The global meeting place for the travel trade!
World Travel Market (WTM) is a UK event for the global travel industry and it has grown beyond belief in the past 4 decades. The fair started with the participation of 40 countries, 221 exhibitors and 9.000 trade visitors in 1980. Currently, it facilitates £2.8 billion in industry deals and has around 5,000 exhibitors from 182 countries and regions and more than 51,000 participants!
From the 5th to the 7th of November, all the roads will lead to London. We know that there’s a lot to see, listen and experience but so little time to do it! However, you are the lucky one, you know why? Because we just made your life easier, welcome to our guide to WTM:
What are the major trends?
Sustainability and Conscious Travel
The travel boom is leading to a much stronger pressure to develop sustainable tourism strategies and initiatives. While sustainable travel mainly focuses on a traveller’s carbon footprint and the local economy, conscious travel includes an added element of community. More than ever, travellers will be mindful of their impact on the economy as well as the lives of those living in the destination that they are visiting. In addition to making a conscious effort to go on eco-friendly tours and buy organic produce at local markets, travellers will be spending their money in ways that benefit the local economy and community. No doubt that you will hear a lot about building a sustainable and responsible future for travel and tourism.
Travel Tech
With the flashing rise of travel tech over the past few years, travellers now have more freedom than ever before to plan every aspect of their trip down to the tiniest detail. From hotel bookings to unique local experiences and cuisine, the hospitality and the travel industry have been experiencing an extensive transformation for the greater good. This is such a huge trend that WTM has a dedicated conference named Travel Forward. Attendees will gain industry-leading insights from the best in the business, as well as leave with actionable takeaways that can be implemented in their organisation straight away — from customer experience, engagement and personalization to Digital Marketing, Mobile, CRM and loyalty. Can’t be missed!
Social Media
Social media has become the ultimate form of word of mouth marketing, and travel brands need to know how to leverage their audiences to connect with travellers and bring in business. By utilizing strategic social media ads and remarketing tools brands can increase their awareness. In addition, the use of hashtags allows interactive advertising campaigns that make customers feel part of the action. Furthermore, social networks allow engagement with potential customers and they are great tools to level up customer care. Brands can be more responsive than ever in providing customer care.
You can’t miss these events:
- Digital vs. Human Factor? What is needed to enhance the customer experience — 5th November
Olaf Slater, Senior Director of International Strategy & Innovation, Sabre Hospitality
Digital transformation will continue to lead how the future of travel will be shaped. In recent years, three conditions have converged to make technologies like AI and robotics more commercially viable, raising new questions about the implications for workers.
- Impact of Technology on the Guest Experience
Greg Webb, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Oracle Hospitality
AI, Biometrics, Robotics, VR. These are just a handful of the disruptive technologies that are engulfing the hotel industry today, and some undoubtedly will transform it. For hotel leaders, it’s essential to understand how these innovations align with guests’ changing needs. Join Greg Webb, as he shares insights about the path forward and the impact technology will have in making hotels smarter, accelerating service and, most importantly, personalizing experiences for every guest.
- Travel Forward: Digitally reimagining travel
Mike Croucher, Head of Technical Strategy, Chief Architect, Travelport
Across industries, digital transformation is recognised as about putting the customer first and travel is no exception. The industry has seen a huge change at a rapid pace, while today’s traveller has more information at their fingertips and more choice than ever before. This event will look at how travel providers of all shapes and sizes can embrace digital technologies to engage with travellers and deliver on the needs and expectations of today.
Tips & Tricks to survive 3 intense days:
- Network as much as possible — since you are there, why not take the most of the fair and meet as many industry professionals as possible!
- Talk to experts — knowledge is power, go ahead speak with the best of the best!
- Find new technologies and products—the best place to be updated about the new tech solutions. Check the expositors and see what’s in the market.
- Get ideas —Great ideas fuel the travel business. WTM is the place to feel inspired!
- Discover industry trends — no one likes to be the last to do or know something. Discover the trends everyone is talking about!
- Find solutions — sometimes the solution is right in front of you…explore the booths!
And the last tip is…
Come to visit HiJiffy’s booth (EU 1110, EU 1150) 👋
Eager to know more about how to centralize and optimize the customer care of hotels with the help of chatbots? Say no more! Visit HiJiffy’s booth and we will explain everything to you.
Hope to meet you there!
You are not going to WTM but want to know more about our solution? No problem!
Just go to our website and fill in the contact form: https://hijiffy.com/contact/
NB: This is a viewpoint by Mariana Marques from HiJiffy. HiJiffy brings chat to the hospitality and travel industry, enabling customers to effectively connect with you through instant messaging apps.
