Message from the Editor

Message from Caroline-Artemis

Back in Business! Back in Person!

This was the best news in a long time for many of us as we were able to attend ‘in-person’ exhibitions again. It has been a long time coming!

With one of the world’s largest events having just closed its doors for its 2021 edition, World Travel Market was a success in that it actually happened.

The extra work involved for organisers of any in-person event these days to ensure the covid-19 government protocols are implemented is immense and deserves thanks to enable the event to have actually taken place.

However, with many countries still implementing international travel restrictions means that for some time to come, events will not get back to normal and we will see far less participation from some destinations and far smaller stands too.

With current travel requirements around the world involving lateral flow tests, PRC’s, antigen tests, as well as vaccine certificates, these extra costs for tests for each person travelling as part of a delegation has a huge impact on budgets at a time when they are already extremely limited due what the health crisis. This therefore has an effect on attendance of both exhibitors and visitors to any event.

WELCOME

One example of this is the lack of Asian stands at WTM and many other in person events/exhibitions that have already, or are taking place in Europe; most Asian nations as well as some others, have authorised the Chinese vaccine, which is not being recognised in the West and a handful of other countries and therefore, several national delegations cannot attend European exhibitions and events.

Undoubtedly, tourism is one of the biggest and hardest hit industries caused by the pandemic, and yet, it is still unable to get back on its feet due to politically based ‘health’ decisions relating to vaccines and travel restrictions and requirements.

Hope you are all back travelling a bit and enjoying some face to face exhibitions and events.