There are trade shows, and then there’s WTM London. And this November, the grand dame of global travel expos is going all out — again. Bigger halls, more elbow-rubbing, and quite possibly a stronger espresso in the press lounge (one lives in hope).
WTM London 2025 — slated for 4–6 November at ExCeL London — has officially thrown open the registration gates. And if early murmurs are anything to go by, we’re in for an absolute belter.
Last year’s show was no shrinking violet. With 34,000 meetings and an 11% rise in proper, card-carrying buyers, you could hardly get through the exhibition without tripping over a tourism minister. This year? It’s been cranked up several notches, with the show set to become the biggest in WTM’s storied history.
The travel industry’s favourite networking marathon is expanding by a gobsmacking 25,000 square metres, thanks to the growth spurt at ExCeL London — presumably to accommodate all those who swore they’d “never do another trade show again” during the pandemic.
Culture, Cameras and a Dash of Chaos
In a move that sounds suspiciously like something dreamed up over a long lunch in Soho, WTM is launching WTM Trend Fest — a new cultural bonanza set to include live performances, themed activations and what organisers call “immersive global experiences.” In plain English: expect dancing, drumming, and probably some bloke from Bogotá swinging poi under a disco ball.
Meanwhile, content is no longer king—it’s emperor. This year, WTM is debuting its very own TV channel, aptly named WTM TV. It promises to beam highlights, interviews, and insightful discussions straight to the screens of anyone clever enough to charge their phone before arriving.
Let’s hope someone remembered to hire a decent sound engineer. No one wants to watch a panel on sustainable tourism drowned out by a Peruvian pan flute band.
Reimagining Travel, One Buzzword at a Time
The show’s core theme for 2025—and brace yourself, it’s a mouthful—is “reimagining travel in a changing world.” This noble ambition is especially relevant as the world continues its awkward shuffle between crisis and comeback.
This theme will thread through all six conference tracks, giving the event a unifying narrative backbone, or what marketing folks call “message cohesion.” For the rest of us, it means fewer mixed messages and more valuable insights — ideally delivered with PowerPoint slides that don’t look like someone lost a fight with a font pack.
The Return of the Heavyweights
And yes, the big guns are back. We’re talking the Ministers’ Summit, the Geo-economics Summit, the Sustainability Summit, and the ever-popular WTM Global Travel Report. You’ll also see the Marketing Summit return for those who enjoy hearing phrases like “brand alignment” and “customer journey” at 8:30 am.
There’s even a suite of bookable masterclasses this year — some free, some with a modest fee — which means if you fancy brushing up on your digital marketing, eco-certifications or simply how not to make a fool of yourself at a B2B mixer, there’s something with your name on it.
One organiser quipped (with a straight face), “We’re not just scaling up — we’re levelling up.” If you just cringed, congratulations — you’re a travel journalist.
A Show With Purpose (and Possibly Champagne)
WTM London’s uncanny ability to combine serious business with fun sets it apart. One minute you’re deep in discussing geopolitical travel trends, the next you’re sampling Sri Lankan curry from a bamboo stall while listening to a DJ spin lo-fi beats next to a tourism board rep dressed like an emperor penguin.
This year, there’s more space, noise, spectacle, and reasons than ever for the global travel sector to descend on London. Whether you’re pitching your destination, launching the next big AI-driven booking app, or just here to steal ideas and drink prosecco, WTM has room for you.
And did we mention registration is still free?
Book Your Spot — Before Your Competitor Does
So, get cracking. Head to www.wtm.com/london, secure your badge, book your flights (if you can still get a decent fare), and start prepping your best ‘trade show face’.
Because once again, WTM London is proving that even in a world that’s gone digital and dizzy from disruption, a firm handshake and a warm smile still go a long way — even if it’s over a cheap sandwich in the networking lounge.
By Octavia Koo
