World Travel Market London 2016

The World Travel Market is an annual event held in the city of London, United Kingdom. It is an avenue to market different countries, major cities, hotels and tourism-related organizations from around the world. It is a major function of the travel industry which has a counterpart in South America. I was able to attend the London edition from November 7 to 9, 2016.

For years, the venue of the World Travel Market is at the Excel Center in the outskirts of London. It is huge. Even the biggest convention centers in the Philippines will pale as compared to Excel. It is a fitting place to hold such a gathering which rakes in thousands of people from all over the globe. It is a one big tourism market place.

Attendees are mostly travel agents and tourism stakers who will likely sell any country or entity that will suit the needs of their respective country's travelers. Of course, representatives of each nation or entity are present ready to answer inquiries from the attendees.

Booths are not just the typical white-walled, box-type ones that we normally see in ordinary exhibitions. Exhibitors spend thousands of dollars just to make their booths enticing to possible market. Each group create gimmicks to get the attention of the attendees.

Performers clad in colorful costumes are a big help in getting the visitors' attention. Dance presentations, painting exhibitions, fashion shows, stage performances and the like are being done all at the same time at a specific time near the closing time of each day. Just imagine the different sounds and sights at 5:00 p.m.

The Philippines cannot be outdone. Our booth was a big as that of Indonesia which was our neighbor in WTM 2016. They had their cultural presentation while we had a fashion show of Mindanao fabrics courtesy of Filipino fashion advocate Renee Salud. For three days, we showcased Philippine culture through fashion to a glad audience.

Aside from the booths and presentations, there were also conferences and fora that tackled different tourism-related topics. This was also a way of connecting to the major players of tourism worldwide. And these activities were well-attended.

The Excel Center was a complete venue for the World Travel Market. Since it is vast, the organizers of the event had a library for reading materials related to travel and tourism. It also had a wellness lounge and a cafe for everyone to enjoy.

Aside from doing the fashion presentation of the Philippines, I enjoyed going around checking on other countries' booths, getting reading materials and asking for souvenirs that ranged from collectibles to things of everyday use.

Given another chance, I would brave the cold and wet weather of London to experience being at the World Travel Market. This event satisfied my curiosity and love for traveling. It was like traveling the world in one big event venue.

Credit goes to the owners of some of the photos.

London From My Point of View

London is the capital and the largest city of England and the United Kingdom. It is a city by the Thames River which is the main estuary of England. It is one city where rain is a daily occurrence. They say that the city is gloomy but, for me, it is as bright as it can be. When the sun is up, the beauty of London comes to fore.

For me, one of the best places to go to in the city is Oxford Street where you can shop until you drop. This is where you can find retail stores which are both expensive and inexpensive. Strolling in the whole stretch will take you one day to explore. Anyway, with just a short train ride, Oxford Street is easy to go back to.

The Westminster Abbey and the London Museum of Natural History are but some of the attractions that every must visit. With the efficient layout of the city, these London landmarks are easy to visit even by just walking.

The Buckingham Palace is also a must-see in London. When our group visited the place, tourists from around the world flocked to get a glimpse of Queen Elizabeth's London residence.  Just a stone's throw away from the palace is the Queen Victoria Memorial which is also jampacked with tourists.

Others worth going to in London is the Big Ben and the statue of British great Sir Winston Churchill which are both in the vicinity of the Parliament. Traversing through the streets of the area makes you feel that you are inside a museum.

London will not be London if you will not see modern architecture that is solely British. From the pavilion that I visited in the Shanghai World Expo 2010 up to my visits to London, I was in awe with the geniuses of the British people. From the mall interiors and even in restaurants, British ingenuity is very evident.

Londoners love to eat and drink. Whether it be their staple fish and chips or other delicacies, they troop to eating places. Food markets are all over so that you can choose whatever food you want. Of course, there are the usual fine dining restaurants that are scattered all over the city.

One thing that makes London distinct from other European cities is the architecture of its buildings and, basically, the atmosphere of the city. Yes, it may seem gloomy because it rains there most of the time, but the city structures make it look lively.

The city is a mixture of the old and the new. But both co-exist harmoniously. It is a place where the rich and the not-so-rich can live together without discrimination. It has its own character the only the Londoners can exhibit.

Yes, London is fourteen hours away from the Philippines but you should visit the city at least once in your lifetime. Different atmosphere. Different culture. Different Experience. That is London from my point of view.

Credit to the owners of some of the photos.