Sunshine Matters

Last week, VISIT FLORIDA attended World Travel Market London 2016 (WTM), the leading global event for the travel industry. Now in its 37th year, WTM has long been a must-attend business-to-business event presenting a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to the U.K. and other international travel professionals.  This year, the show attracted 51,500 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international press who conducted more than 865,000 on-stand appointments that lead to over £2.5 billion in industry deals being negotiated and signed.

Throughout our week in London, 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 100 Florida industry professionals representing a record 32 organizations were on the stand this year, ranging from large and small destinations to individual hoteliers and attractions.  This group conducted more than 720 appointments with senior travel trade executives showcasing the wide range of diverse travel experiences Florida has to offer.

Our Public Relations team kicked off day one of WTM with a media reception sponsored by VISIT FLORIDA’s Strategic Alliance Partners Universal Orlando Resort and Hertz.  More than 100 guests were in attendance, including 70 trade and consumer media, representing top outlets such as TTG Media, Family Traveller Magazine, The Mail on Sunday and The Sun.

VISIT FLORIDA and participating Partners shared what’s new or coming soon to the Sunshine State that appeals most to the U.K. market.  Event attendees were surprised with the announcement of the newest addition to the Universal Orlando hotel collection, Aventura Hotel, which is set to open in summer 2018.  Over the course of the three days, our U.K. Public Relations team met with media and industry Partners to discuss future plans and priorities for promoting the destination to U.K. and Irish consumers, including media events and media visits to Florida during 2017.

Finally, the always popular VISIT FLORIDA annual WTM Travel Industry Dinner was held at the world-renowned Victoria & Albert Museum.  The more than 280 Florida, U.K. and Irish industry representatives in attendance at the “Night in the Museum” event were treated to a performance by Tony Hadley, lead singer of Spandau Ballet, plus living statues and a court jester.  VISIT FLORIDA would like to thank Universal Orlando Resort, who was the entertainment sponsor, and our other co-hosts who assisted in making this evening such a success: Experience Kissimmee, Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB, Greater Miami CVB, Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater and Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB.

VISIT FLORIDA is looking forward to another successful WTM in 2017 and invite our Industry Partners to join us.  To learn more, contact Carolyn Jones, International Marketing & Events Manager, at cjones@VISITFLORIDA.org.