Sunshine Matters

VISIT FLORIDA recently returned from World Travel Market (WTM), the leading global event for the travel industry.  WTM is a vibrant, must-attend business-to-business event presenting a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to the United Kingdom and other international travel professionals.  This year, the show attracted an estimated 52,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international press at the ExCel Exhibition Centre in London.

In the midst of our week in London, VISIT FLORIDA’s Board of Directors Chair John Tomlin shared his impression of the show, plus an interview with Will Seccombe by TravelMole.TV, which you can read more about here.  Throughout the show, VISIT FLORIDA coordinated the Florida stand on the trade show floor where we were able to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business with the global travel trade industry. More than 125 Florida industry professionals were on the stand this year, ranging from large and small destinations to individual hoteliers and attractions, which allowed us to truly showcase the diversity of travel experiences Florida has to offer.

On day one of WTM, VISIT FLORIDA’s Public Relations team hosted nearly 100 media and industry guests during a media mixer to highlight Florida’s National and State Parks and eco-tourism activities.  Representation from both consumer and trade media were in attendance, including TTG Media, BritMums.com, GreatBritishChefs.com, BBC History Magazine, Family Traveller Magazine, Lonely Planet Traveller and The Sun.

The event, which was supported by VISIT FLORIDA’s Strategic Alliance Partners Universal Orlando Resort and Hertz, included an appearance by the Fulham Football Club mascot, Billy the Badger, highlighting our partnership with the team and the English Football Championship League.  Throughout the week, VISIT FLORIDA’s PR Manager and agency representatives met with industry Partners to discuss future plans and priorities for promoting the destination to U.K. & Irish consumers, including media events and media visits to Florida during 2016.

Finally, the always popular VISIT FLORIDA annual WTM Travel Industry Dinner was held at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios in London for the second year in a row.  The more than 250 Florida, U.K. and Irish industry representatives in attendance were welcomed by Giles Martin, Abbey Road producer and son of “the Fifth Beatle” Sir George Martin.  VISIT FLORIDA would like to thank our six co-hosts who assisted in making this event such a success: Experience Kissimmee, Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB, Greater Miami CVB, Orlando FlexTicket, Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater and Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB.

VISIT FLORIDA is looking forward to another successful WTM in 2016 and invite our Industry Partners to join us.  To learn more, contact Carolyn Jones, International Marketing & Events Manager, at cjones@VISITFLORIDA.org.