Representatives from more than 80 countries have signed up to WTM London’s Buyers’ Club, ensuring they maximise opportunities and get the best access to like-minded partners as the world begins to open up for travel once again.

All Buyers’ Club members have the opportunity to expand connections in the dedicated lounges during the WTM London physical show taking place at ExCeL London from November 1-3, 2021.

During the WTM Virtual – taking place on November 8-9, buyers will also have the opportunity to focus on meetings with key suppliers and reconnect with those unable to travel.

The highest number of companies that have signed up so for to the Buyers’ Club come from the UK, with a wide cross-section of industry sectors, including cruise lines, operators, agencies, bed banks and online players.

Companies already signed to WTM Buyers’ Club include well-known UK operators Jet2holidays, easyJet Holidays, Saga Holidays and British Airways Holidays; global giants such as dnata and TUI Group; niche travel operators such as Audley Travel; independent travel-trade focused Gold Medal.

From the cruise sector, Azamara Cruise Line has signed up. One of the biggest players in the homeworking travel agency community, Travel Counsellors, is also in the Buyers’ Club, as are Secret Escapes, American Express and specialist destination marketing company Low Season Traveller.

Online players include booking.com, KAYAK, Priceline, Bedsonline and lastminute.com.

Sergej Tocili, Head of Product at Saga Holidays, said: “WTM London is one of the most important trade shows in the calendar, for Saga Holidays it is the place where we exchange ideas with our partners, it is the place where to recognise each other’s successes and where to commit to further grow our business.”

Ged Brown, Founder and CEO of Low Season Traveller, said: “WTM London is where I get to meet with new partners from across the world in one location. It is quite simply the most important meeting in my calendar each year.

"WTM London is where the world’s tourism industry meets to decide where we will all travel to in future years. It’s my most important calendar event every year. Where else can you have 50-60 meaningful travel industry meetings in such a short space of time than at WTM London?”

WTM London & Travel Forward Exhibition Director, Simon Press said: “Buyers and decision-makers will be crucial in the recovery of the travel and tourism sector. Travel is starting to bounce back and the potential for new business is huge. The WTM Buyers’ Club is the perfect way to grow networks, form new partnerships, reaffirm existing agreements and explore new ways of working together in preparation for the travel bounce back.

“We’ve worked hard to create the ideal environment for key buyers to reconnect with peers with a more open layout at the Buyers’ Club Lounge this year to allow for social distancing.”

WTM London Buyers’ Club members will also be able to participate in the WTM London Speed Networking events taking place every day during the physical show. The speed networking aims to bring together global buyers and suppliers in a professional and business-driven environment. – TradeArabia News Service