WTM LONDON 2025 Participant Count Increased by 5 Percent
One of the most important gatherings of the global tourism industry, WTM London 2025, was held at ExCeL London between 4–6 November. This year at the fair, the number of participants increased by 5 percent to 46,500, and with 182 countries represented, the number of buyers also increased compared to last year.
According to data announced by the fair management, the number of pre-qualified buyers, which was 5,049 in 2024, increased to 5,500 this year, recording an 8 percent growth. During the same period, while the total participant volume also increased, the growth of over 55 percent in the Travel Tech section, in particular, attracted attention.
With ExCeL London's area expanded by 25 percent this year, WTM London 2025 was recorded as “the largest event to date.”
WTM TrendFest Held for the First Time
Held for the first time this year, WTM TrendFest, was positioned as a special section focusing on innovative tourism products, experience-oriented travel trends, and sectoral innovations. The number of experience provider participants increased by 31 percent compared to last year.
The TrendFest area also hosted the fair's opening cocktail; gastronomy and cultural shows were among the events that attracted significant visitor interest.
Pre-Scheduled Business Meetings Increased by 30 Percent
The number of pre-scheduled business meetings held within the scope of the fair increased by 30 percent, exceeding 40,000. The organization management stated that these meetings are expected to generate a total business volume exceeding 2.2 billion pounds.
This result was considered an indicator reinforcing WTM London's importance in terms of business connections and international trade.
Growth Expectation in Global Tourism
The WTM Global Travel Report, published on the first day of the fair, predicts that the global tourism sector will grow faster than the world economy in the coming period. According to the report, the sector's contribution to global GDP will exceed 16 trillion US dollars by 2035 is estimated.
19th WTM Ministers' Summit: Education and Investment Topics Highlighted
The 19th WTM Ministers' Summit, organized within the scope of WTM London 2025, was held in cooperation with UN Tourism and WTTC. At the summit, the sector's need for skilled labor, the updating of training programs, and investment policies for the future of tourism were discussed.
At the meeting, representatives from different countries emphasized the importance of investment models based on public-private sector cooperation, such as tax incentives, special economic zones, and airport infrastructure, in supporting sustainable growth.
Preparations for 2026 Have Begun
The fair management announced that the next WTM London will be held on 3–5 November 2026. This year's growth rates show that WTM London continues to strengthen its position in the global tourism industry.
