Travel & Tourism Students and Prospective Start-Ups, Be Eventful!

As an MSc International Tourism Management graduate, I have always been trying to explain to students how important industry networking events are, particularly for final year travel and tourism students and prospective hospitality and tour operator start-ups. If you have missed this year’s World Travel Market (WTM) hosted in ExCeL, London then have a read and see for yourself why you should attend the next one.

 WTM is the biggest travel and tourism event, pulling together hospitality, travel and tourism allies and foes under one roof. Held annually, usually early November, over four days the event attracts more than 50,000 delegates form 180 countries representing hospitality, travel and tourism businesses, tourism ministries and non-for-profits from around the globe offering countless opportunities for networking and generating ideas and business. Although WTM is generally being attended by industry organisations in an attempt to generate further business opportunities, I will point out why the event is particularly important to both final year tourism students and those planning to establish their own businesses after graduation.

The Visitor Economy

Tourism has become a popular concept and a word we use quite frequently in our everyday lives. We have all been tourists in one form or another, even if we do not realise it straight away. An interesting fact is that even students can be considered tourists as long as they spend no more than one consecutive year in their education destination of choice. With the advances in the global transport, the world is becoming smaller and more accessible than ever. Tourism is a reflection of escapism – that dream experience most people at work or university are constantly thinking of.