World Travel Market 2011

Is it really 12 months since we were last at Excel for WTM – the unmissable travel trade event of the year?

At least the journey round the M25 was without any of its usual delays, so we arrived quite early. Just as well! No downloaded press badges worked with the security scanners (we didn’t have this problem when badges were posted out), so everyone with a press badge had to queue up and have it reissued. Despite the inconvenience, I heard only a few complaints. Forty or so minutes later, we were moving around freely again in all areas as usual.

It was great seeing so many friends and colleagues – quite a number over lunch on the Hong Kong stand. Interesting to hear that Hong Kong Airlines will launch daily direct services from London to Hong Kong next year. The carrier is currently in talks with Heathrow and Gatwick ahead of the operation launch in March and will act as a gateway into other China destinations currently underserved from the UK market. The route will serve premium seats only and expects to see an even split between UK and Chinese passengers. The service will use three Airbus A330 aircraft with only 116 seats-  34 Club Premier and 82 Club Classic configuration.