Comments on: World Travel Market – is it worth it?

By: Kristie

Kristie — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:35:47 +0000

I am just back from WTM and I am feeling unbelievably inspired and motivated to travel in a responsive form. After attending the conference for three extremely busy and packed days, I have walked away with a renewed sense of what people are doing in the tourism industry to help others. As I represented Elevate Destinations, a philanthropy travel company, I found the overall atmosphere to be very informative.

I agree that it is not the best setting to network unless you have previous clients or connections, but the seminars are worth attending. I am the author of Elevate Destination’s Responsive Travel Blog and I found the Responsible Travel Day to be highly enlightning for anyone in the tourism industry that is facing the issues that plague the industry.

By: Responsive Travel - A Blog by Elevate Destinations

Responsive Travel - A Blog by Elevate Destinations — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:27:24 +0000

[...] I am very grateful that I was able to attend the WTM on behalf of Elevate Destinations and I hope that others will consider attending in the future as responsive travelers. For other views on the conference please see A Luxury Travel Blog. [...]

By: Happy Hotelier

Happy Hotelier — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:51:29 +0000

Missed you at tbc08

By: Andrea Wren

Andrea Wren — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:07:51 +0000

I didn’t make it this year either, although I was meant to go and felt a bit ‘guilty’ for not doing. However, I think you have to be really focused at WTM and if you are not, you certainly do waste a day or two.

I do love ‘face-to-face’ networking though, and think it can really help to make new alliances and strengthen old ones, but you have to pick your events/stands carefully otherwise you can just get caught up in the fun of it all, and how bad would that be?! ;-)

By: Mark Evans

Mark Evans — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:46:42 +0000

As much as conferences takes time, energy and work to attend, there is value in meeting face to face. It puts a completely different context on a relationship.

That said, you do have to be pragmatic about the conferences that you attend to determine where you’ll get the most bang for the buck.

For example, the WTM took places just before the PhocusWright Travel Innovation conference, which is where PlanetEye’s executives will be going.

Mark

By: jean

jean — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:24:14 +0000

Agree what the event offers are more important. Think it may help to start when one has few networking. Once enough contacts, it matters to better maintain the network relationship. :)

By: Adi

Adi — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:00:38 +0000

I’ve often doubted the merit of these events too. You obviously get various seminars but in my experience you seldom learn anything you wouldn’t have picked up from following the latest industry trends on blogs and other such sites.

You also get to meet various vendors, and if you’re in the market for something at that time then it can be a useful experience to meet new companies. If you’re not though you generally just get sold at by all and sundry.

Finally you have the networking opportunities. I suppose there is this but with the social networking tools available gone are the days when trade events offer opportunities you wouldn’t get elsewhere.

I dare say I’ve missed some benefits out but I’m with you in the unsold camp thus far.