Sunshine Matters

Earlier this month, VISIT FLORIDA attended World Travel Market London 2017 (WTM), the second largest annual international travel tradeshow.  Now in its 38th 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 more than 51,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international media, as well as 5,000 exhibitors from 182 countries.

VISIT FLORIDA coordinated the Florida stand on the trade show floor where staff and and Partners were able to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business with the global travel trade industry.  More than 30 Florida industry professionals representing 22 organizations were on the stand this year, ranging from large and small destinations to individual hoteliers and attractions.  This group conducted more than 800 appointments with industry-leading travel brands including British Airways Holidays, Virgin Holidays, Funway Holidays and Thomas Cook.

Our public relations team kicked off day one of WTM with their annual media reception sponsored by The Florida Keys and Key West, Universal Orlando Resort and Hertz. More than 100 guests were in attendance, including 60 trade and consumer media, representing top outlets such as TTG Media, Travel Weekly, Travel Mole, TravMedia, Family Traveller Magazine, The Sun, The Independent and National Geographic.

VISIT FLORIDA and participating Partners shared news and updates that appeal most to the U.K. market.  Event attendees were excited to hear about Universal Orlando Resort’s announcement of two new value-driven hotels, which are set to open in summer 2019.  In addition, The Florida Keys and Key West gave a post-Irma update that included a strong “open for business” message.  Ken Lawson, VISIT FLORIDA President & CEO announced our upcoming U.K. integrated marketing campaign which will run January-March 2018.  Components of the campaign include expanded Heart Radio activations in London, Manchester and Wales; tour operator and airline partnerships; and U.K.-based social media influencer programs.

Finally, the VISIT FLORIDA annual WTM Florida Night event was held at the historic Banqueting House London with more than 240 Florida, U.K. and Irish industry representatives in attendance.  VISIT FLORIDA would like to thank our co-hosts who assisted in making this evening a success: Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB; Visit Sarasota; Visit Panama City Beach; The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel; Naples, Marco Island, Everglades CVB; and Hertz.

VISIT FLORIDA is looking forward to another successful WTM in 2018 and invite our Industry Partners to make plans now to join us next November.