Staged annually under one roof at London’s Excel, World Travel Market is a must attend, business to business exhibition. WTM provides a unique opportunity for the whole global travel trade industry to meet, network, negotiate, conduct business and stay abreast with the latest developments in the travel industry.

WTM 2008 saw 5,500 exhibitors representing over 200 countries and regions across the globe participating. The four day show saw a growth on visitor numbers of 12% from 2007 - 26,498 compared to 23,722 in 2007. Tuesday was the busiest day with 15,720 industry attending; this did not include press, exhibitors or students.

As well as meeting and networking with the travel industry Anguilla Representatives attended a number of the seminars and events held over the four days. Anguilla was represented at The Ministers Summit, the Responsible Tourism Day and the VIP opening ceremony by Hon Donna Banks and the Chairman Mr John Benjamin. Anguilla’s Sales Executive Mekesha Mussington also participated in the CTO’s Specialist Agents lunch and training on the Thursday, playing host to the agents and presenting the latest news and island facts.

Anguilla’s stand in the Caribbean Village gave the island a huge presence -with a number of industry persons commenting that Anguilla had “come of age” and was standing proud with the larger islands of the Caribbean.

Anguilla’s delegation included Ministry of Tourism and Anguilla Tourist Board officials, Hon. Donna Banks, Special Adviser, Tourism, Mr. John Benjamin, Chairman of the Anguilla Tourist Board, Mrs. Amelia Vanterpool-Kubisch, Director of Tourism, Ms. Carolyn Brown, Anguilla’s UK Marketing Director and members of staff of the UK office Ms. Mekesha Mussington and Ms. Marion John.

Industry Representatives were:
Sherille Hughes – Paradise Cove
Fred Thompson – Carimar Beach Club
Wilfred Flemming – Anguilla Great House
Austin Connor - Bennies Travel & Tours
Maria Hawkins and Maurice Bonham-Carter – Arawak Beach Inn
Marion Edgecombe & Steve Mayers - Sirena Resort
Sue & Robin Ricketts – Anguilla Luxury Collection & Ku Resort
Shirley Brooke - Cap Juluca
David Lyon – Cuisinart Resort & Spa
Rose Hodge – Rainbow International Airways