A mere 350 exhibitors turned out for the very first World Travel
Market, staged at London’s Olympia back in 1980. At the
2004 event, the exhibition total at Excel was over 5,000.
However, it is not only the sheer scale of the event that has
changed. World Travel Market celebrated its Silver Anniversary in
2004 and 25 years on the exhibition format has changed, the
competitive environment in which it operates has changed, and –
most importantly and significantly – the commercial philosophies of
both exhibitors and visitors have changed.
In the past two decades alone, the travel industry has developed
and matured almost beyond recognition. Travel exhibitions have
had to do likewise.
Pre-1980, such travel shows as did exist tended to be, at best,
national or affiliation based affairs, usually masterminded on behalf
of travel agency associations like France’s SNAV, or by broaderbased
tourism associations like PATA. Even the mighty ITB Berlin,
which at least made some pretence towards internationalism, was
an essentially German affair with comparatively few international
visitors.
For a more comprehensive guide on Travel Shows, Fairs and Exhibitions please
click here for our pdf document
For details on all ITTFA member shows and media partners, visit
www.ittfa.org
For further information please contact:
Wendy Walker/Sara Armitage Evans
ITTFA Secretariat
PO Box 585
Richmond, Surrey, UK
TW9 1YQ