India Tourism expanding floor space at World Travel Market

India will have its own dedicated exhibition region at World Travel Market 2012, the leading global event for the travel industry, after its participation at WTM 2011 will generate a massive £56 million of deals for the country’s travel and tourism industry.

India Tourism, the national tourism organisation of India, is expanding its exhibition floor space by 14 percent to more than 1,000 square meters (1,015 sm) to create a dedicated India region at WTM 2012, situated in the South Hall at the East Entrance next to Asia/Pacific/Indian Ocean region.

The creation of the India region sees the Global Village and Travel Technology regions move from the South Hall, East Entrance of ExCeL London, to the South Hall, West Entrance, followed by the Americas, Middle East, Asia/Pacific/India Ocean, and then the new India region at the East Entrance.

The North Hall layout (from west to east entrances) of UK and Ireland, Europe and Mediterranean, and Africa remains unaffected.

India had a highly successful WTM 2011, which will lead to £56 million of deals generated, reveals independent research from Fusion Communications, either through deals signed at the event or in the following 12 months before WTM 2012.

WTM 2011 saw India Tourism expand its stand space by 16 percent compared to WTM 2010, which was a massive 28 percent more than at WTM 2009.

Goa Tourism and Tamilnadu Tourism became main stand holders for the first time, while increased support from the private sector saw Travel Inn, Travel Services International, Trail Blazer Tours India, and Quadlabs from the travel agency sector and Samatheeram Ayurvedic Group and Charlot Beach Resorts from the hotel sector exhibit for the first time.

Furthermore, 6 previous exhibitors expanded their presence including Creative Travel, Le Passage to India, and Travel Boutique Online, while Rajasthan Tourism and Karnataka Tourism exhibited for the first time.

The region was also strongly represented in the revamped WTM Speed Networking event at WTM 2011. Exhibitors took advantage of the chance to meet contacts briefly before the event opened and arrange a more detailed discussion later.

Overall, WTM 2011 will generate £1,653 million of business for all exhibitors before WTM 2012 opens on November 5. India’s contribution represents more than 3 percent of the total.

WTM continues to generate double-digit business growth for the global travel industry despite the gloomy economic picture of the past few years. 2011’s £1,653m-worth of deals is 16 percent ahead of 2010’s £1,425m, with the 2010 sum representing a 25 percent hike on 2009.

Reed Travel Exhibitions Director, World Travel Market, Simon Press said: “I am delighted India has decided to increase its stand space to create a dedicated region for WTM 2012.

“India has continued to increase its exhibition space at World Travel Market over the past 3 years, which is a clear demonstration of the unrivaled business opportunities WTM offers all its exhibitors.

“India’s continued increased participation at WTM will see last year’s event generate an impressive £56 million in deals for the country tourism businesses. I’m confident the creation of the India Pavilion will see WTM 2012 generate a greater amount of business for the country.”