World Travel Market 2026

• DatesNovember 2–4, 2026
• VenueExCeL London
• LocationLondon, United Kingdom
• CategoryTravel & Hospitality
• Official websitewtm.com

About World Travel Market 2026

World Travel Market 2026 is a travel and hospitality trade show taking place November 2–4, 2026 at ExCeL London in London, United Kingdom. It runs for three days, opening on Monday and closing on Wednesday. That is only 24 days away, so most planning deadlines have already passed; focus on travel, staffing and lead capture.

Shows like this one typically draw tour operators, travel agents, hotel and destination marketers, event planners and hospitality buyers. For registration, exhibitor packages and the floor plan, go to the official website, wtm.com.

ShowFloorTips is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the organizer. Dates, venues and rules can change, so confirm the details with the organizer before you book.

What to expect at World Travel Market 2026

Travel and hospitality shows are built around appointments. Many attendees run back-to-back scheduled meetings, while others browse destinations and suppliers between them.

Over three days, traffic usually peaks on the first two days and thins out on the last one. The quieter final day is a good time for longer conversations, visiting other stands and meeting suppliers. Expect most visitors to be tour operators and their colleagues, often with a short list of suppliers they want to see.

How exhibitors should prepare for World Travel Market 2026

Here is a working timeline counted back from the opening day, November 2, 2026:

1. 16 weeks before (Jul 13, 2026) · date passed, do it now if you haven't
   Confirm your booth space and read the exhibitor manual. Book hotels near ExCeL London while rates are still normal.
2. 8 weeks before (Sep 7, 2026) · date passed, do it now if you haven't
   Order booth services (power, internet, furniture, cleaning) before the early-rate deadlines, and send graphics to print.
3. 4 weeks before (Oct 5, 2026) · date passed, do it now if you haven't
   Ship freight to the advance warehouse if the organizer offers one. Book meetings with the visitors you most want to see. Set up lead capture and train the team on it.
4. One week before (Oct 26, 2026)
   Confirm freight arrived, share the staffing schedule, charge every device, and test your lead capture app with Wi-Fi turned off.

Preparation tips for travel and hospitality shows

• Use the show's appointment system early; the best slots fill weeks ahead.
• Prepare rates, availability and commission details for buyers who ask on the spot.
• Bring visual material about the destination or property in a digital format.

Booth tips for World Travel Market 2026

• Keep meetings on schedule; buyers often have their next appointment minutes later.
• Ask what markets and client types the buyer serves.
• Make it easy to save your contact and your offer digitally.
• Walk the hall at ExCeL London during move-in to see which entrances and aisles carry the most traffic, and set up your booth so it faces that flow.
• Plan shifts of three to four hours. Standing and talking for three days wears people out, and tired staff let good leads walk past.
• Capture every conversation the moment it ends: scan the badge or card, add a one-line note about what the visitor needs, and rate the lead hot, warm or cold. Notes written that evening are already half forgotten.

For a full list of what to bring, use the free booth checklist, and plan the money side with the trade show ROI calculator.

Following up leads after World Travel Market 2026

Most of the value of a trade show is created after it closes. Travel buyers build programs months ahead, so follow up with concrete offers and dates.

1. Within 24 hours (by Nov 5, 2026)
   Send a short personal email to every hot lead. Mention one detail from your conversation so they remember you.
2. By Nov 7, 2026
   Send everything you promised at the booth: prices, samples, demo links. Log each lead in your CRM with its rating and notes.
3. By Nov 18, 2026
   Make a second, useful touch: a case study, a short video or an answer to the question they asked. Warm leads often reply to this one.
4. By Dec 4, 2026
   Review results: how many leads became meetings, what each lead cost, and whether World Travel Market 2026 is worth returning to.

Ready-to-edit messages for each step are in our trade show follow-up email templates.

Getting to London

London has several airports: Heathrow (LHR), Gatwick (LGW) and London City (LCY), which is the closest to ExCeL London in the Docklands. The Elizabeth line stops at Custom House for ExCeL and links Heathrow with central London. Contactless bank cards work on the Tube, buses and trains. Many visitors now need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before traveling to the UK, so check the rules for your passport.

Hotels closest to the venue sell out first during show week, and many organizers offer discounted room blocks that close weeks before the show, so book early. Our city travel guides cover hotels, transport and budgeting for the busiest show cities.

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