World Travel Market headline session dedicated to BRIC

World Travel Market (WTM) 2011 will focus on the emerging BRIC economies with its first-ever dedicated headline session on the travel and tourism potential of Brazil, Russia, India, and China.

WTM 2010 highlighted the tourism development in the BRIC nations in its inaugural World Travel Market 2010 Industry Report. The report – which polled 1,300 WTM exhibitors and buyers from the Meridian Club, as well as 1,000 UK holidaymakers – revealed almost half of the industry see the BRIC economies as one of the biggest growth opportunities of the next 5 years.

Furthermore, almost 1 in 3 said the BRIC tourism potential is the biggest opportunity of the next 5 years, with a further 55% stating the business conducted with the 5 nations had had a positive impact on their businesses over the past 12 months.

India highlighted the growing importance of the BRIC nations at WTM 2010 by increasing its exhibition space by 28%. The increase was fueled by growing support from private sector travel and tourism companies.

Exhibition Director Simon Press said: “The BRIC economies will play an ever-increasing role in the future of the travel and tourism industry. The desire by the people of these countries to travel abroad, as well the growing interest of tourist to visit these countries means they will be at the forefront of decisions made by the industry’s leading organisations.

“Brazil hosting the 2014 World Cup, followed quickly by the 2016 Olympics, alongside Russia wining the 2022 World Cup demonstrates the growing trends towards these nations.”

The session takes place on Wednesday, November 10 in Platinum Suite 4.