WTM London 2009

Activity for World Travel Market is really hotting up now in McCluskey HQ, releases are being written, interviews booked and events arranged. WTM is huge for the agency every year, with the majority of our clients at the show, in order to maximise all opportunities (and to avoid running around like headless chickens) we arrange our schedules with military precision.

We’ll be blogging and tweeting from the show, and creating our own video content so do watch this space.

If you are a journalist of blogger at the show this year, please have a look through this list of our clients and the stories they’ll be talking about. If you’re interested in conducting an interview or meeting any of our clients, please get in touch via the relevant contacts -

CARIBBEAN:

Almond Resorts

• Almond Resorts improves support for agents with new Almond Online Learning Website and improved Team Almond Agent Reward Scheme
• Weddings and Honeymoons: Almond Resorts introduces three new wedding packages at its resorts in Barbados and St Lucia

Interviewees: Peter Hopwood, VP of Sales and Marketing and Tracey Dyson, Business Development Manager, UK & Ireland

Contact: Vanessa Ip

Jamaica Tourist Board

• Jamaica is focusing on the development of its sports strategy a year on from its launch. In particular, the JTB is focusing on its new relationship with Usain Bolt with sporting initiatives planned for 2010

Interviewee: Honourable Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism Jamaica

Contact: Sarah Long or Helen McNaught

EUROPE AND UK:

Jersey Tourism

• Jersey is becoming cool. With a programme of events including cutting edge film and music festivals, along with increasingly luxurious food, hotel and spa offering, Jersey is now a perfect destination choice
• Jersey is ramping its events schedule, which is already an exciting program of events, to include high profile sporting events such as the Tour de Bretagne. David Hornby, former commercial director of Visit London, is now working with Jersey Tourism to improve on this existing schedule
• Jersey has weathered well in the economic downturn with messages of Europe without the Euro etc

Interviewee: David de Carteret, Director of Tourism and Marketing

Contact: Linsey Brown or Ian McKee

Iberostar Hotels and Resorts

• Discussing expansion into new markets and dynamic growth of hotel portfolio

Interviewee: Alex Werneke, Director of Trade Marketing

Contact: Helen McNaught or Jardine Chalkly

Isrotel

• Isrotel has launched its Sun Express service – 12 charter return flights from London Luton to Eilat between December 13, 2009 and April 12, 2010. This is currently the only direct transfer from London to Eilat
• The Isrotel Beresheet Hotel on the edge of the Ramon Crater is on track to open its doors in 2010 following a $28 million construction project

Interviewees: Raffi Sadeh, General Manager, Nahum Kara, Director for Marketing and Sales, Moshe Elazar, Sales Manager

Contact: Vanessa Ip

Hungarian National Tourist Office

• The new European Capital of Culture: The city of Pécs will be the new European Capital of Culture in 2010. The city is gearing up for an expected influx of tourists with the preparation of a diverse programme of cultural events plus the redevelopment of many parks, galleries, museums and outdoor event spaces
• 2010 is also Hungary’s Year of the Festivals

Interviewees:  Available Monday and Tuesday – Dr Akos Niklai, Chairman, Endre Kardos, Director for the UK and Ireland

Available Tuesday morning (10am – 12pm) – Dr Ivan Rona, President, Hungarian National Tourist Office

Available Tuesday afternoon only (2.30pm) – The Mayor of Pécs (European Capital of Culture)

Please note – Wine tasting on stand on the Tuesday afternoon

Contact: Linsey Brown or Ian McKee

INDIAN OCEAN:

Maldives Tourism Promotion Board

• Maldives a global leader on climate change: Government ministers recently held an underwater Cabinet meeting to discuss the threat global warming poses to the world’s lowest-lying nation. Maldivian President, Mohamed Nasheed has promised to make the Maldives the world’s first carbon-neutral nation within the next ten years.
• The Maldives has been voted in to the finals of the New7Wonders of Nature competition. Vote at www.vote7.com/n7W
• The MTPB will also be hosting a press conference at the show, Monday 9th November, 10:30-11:30am in Press Conference Room 5

Interviewee: Dr. Ahmed Ali Sawad, Minister of Tourism

Contact: James Allen or Vanessa Ip

NORTH AMERICA:

Discover New England

• Meet the new Chairman of the Board of Discover New England and discuss the strategy for the UK/Ireland market 2010/11

Interviewee: Mark Brodeur, Chairman

Contact: Helen McNaught or Jardine Chalkly

New Mexico Tourism Department

• Launch of new Ecotourism Programme: New Mexico Tourism Department will launch a new ecotourism programme that will change the way travellers experience the state. Jennifer Hobson is a driving force behind the introduction of this new product which will offer low-impact, high-yield accommodations, set in pristine remote areas of the state including eco lodges and wilderness camps

Interviewee: Jeniffer Hobson, Deputy Cabinet Secretary

Contact: Linsey Brown or Ian McKee

Rocky Mountaineer

• Rocky Mountaineer has launched a new look and rebrand for its 20th anniversary for 2010. Interview to discuss new plans and its strategy for 2010

Interviewee: Bob Nicholas, VP of Sales

Contact: Sarah Long or Helen McNaught