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WTM London 2025: Expanded Venue and New Features Set Stage for Record African Participation WTM London 2025: Expanded Venue and New Features Set Stage for Record African Participation

WTM London 2025, returning to ExCeL London from November 4th to 6th, is gearing up to be the largest in its history. Building on the success of 2024, which saw an 11% increase in qualified buyers and over 34,000 meetings, this year’s event promises unparalleled opportunities for African travel professionals. Registration is now open, and early indicators point to record-breaking exhibitor numbers, creating a dynamic marketplace for African tourism stakeholders.

ExCeL London’s expansion adds 25,000 m² of event space, providing ample room for enhanced content, higher-level engagement, and exciting new features. This growth aligns perfectly with WTM London’s increasing appeal, offering African exhibitors greater visibility and networking potential. The expanded venue also facilitates more educational and entertainment experiences, including fee-based masterclasses led by industry experts, providing valuable learning opportunities for African travel trade professionals.

A key highlight of WTM London 2025 is the introduction of WTM Trend Fest, a brand-new cultural program showcasing immersive global experiences. This dynamic addition will feature live performances, themed activations, and daily presentations, offering a vibrant platform for African exhibitors to showcase their unique cultural offerings and connect with a global audience. The event’s unified theme, “Reimagining Travel in a Changing World,” underscores its focus on innovation and adaptability, key attributes for success in today’s dynamic travel landscape.

WTM London 2025 will also debut its dedicated TV channel, WTM TV, designed to educate, engage, and connect audiences. This innovative platform will provide African exhibitors with an additional avenue to showcase their products and services, reaching a wider audience and amplifying their brand message. The channel will feature interviews, destination spotlights, and industry insights, offering valuable content for travel professionals and consumers alike.

The event’s enhanced conference program builds on its already strong reputation for insightful discussions and knowledge sharing. Renowned sessions such as the Ministers Summit, Sustainability Summit, Geo-economics Summit, Marketing Summit, WTM Global Travel Report, and ITT Future You Forum will all return, providing valuable platforms for African tourism leaders to engage in high-level discussions and share their expertise. The increased stage and floor capacity, coupled with a 29% rise in conference session attendance last year, underscores the growing demand for knowledge and networking opportunities within the travel trade.

WTM London’s historical impact on the African tourism sector is well-documented. The event has consistently served as a catalyst for business growth, investment, and sustainable tourism development in Africa. From 2020 to 2024, WTM London facilitated thousands of business meetings, generated significant media coverage for African destinations, and promoted responsible tourism practices. This year’s event promises to build on this legacy, offering even greater opportunities for African travel professionals to connect with global buyers, forge new partnerships, and showcase their unique offerings.

While precise ROI metrics for past African exhibitors are not readily available, the event’s consistent growth in buyer attendance, pre-scheduled meetings, and media coverage strongly suggests a positive return on investment. The enhanced features and expanded venue of WTM London 2025 further amplify this potential, creating a dynamic marketplace for African tourism stakeholders to connect with a global audience and drive business growth. The event’s focus on sustainability, technology, and innovation aligns perfectly with the evolving trends in the travel industry, providing a platform for African destinations to showcase their forward-thinking approaches and attract environmentally conscious travelers.

WTM London 2025 presents a strategic opportunity for African travel professionals to elevate their brand presence, forge valuable partnerships, and gain insights into the latest industry trends. The event’s expanded venue, enhanced content, and new features create a dynamic marketplace for African tourism stakeholders to connect with a global audience and drive business growth. By capitalizing on these opportunities, African travel agents can position themselves at the forefront of the industry and contribute to the continued growth and success of African tourism.