Mubasher: The UK is expected to be one of the top European destinations for GCC nationals to visit with a total of 890,000 trips by 2023, according to recent data by  Colliers International.

World Travel Market London 2019 (WTM London 2019), which is a leading global event for the travel industry to meet industry professionals and conduct business deals, will discuss achieving a greater share of the multi-billion-dollar international travel market, according to WTM London’s statement on Wednesday.

The event, which will start from 4 to 6 November, will create personal and business opportunities, providing customers with quality contacts, content and communities.

The three-day event will host up to 50,000 participants and 5,000 exhibitors from over 180 countries who are expected to join in the celebrations with organisers predicting a record year for 2019, boosted by a strong contingent of exhibitors from the Middle East region.

Key exhibitors at WTM London 2019 from the Middle East will include Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTC), Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, Oman Ministry of Tourism and Jordan Tourism Board.

Other exhibitors include The Red Sea Development Company, Kuwait Airways, Orascom Development, Samaya Investment and Smart Travel Deal.

The coming edition of WTM London 2019 will place a spotlight on the Middle East with a host of key speakers lined up from the region for the show’s regionally-focused Inspiration Zones, which will provide a platform to address evolving travel trends in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), in addition to providing an update about Expo 2020.

“While part of this growth can be attributed to the Middle East – and in particular the UAE and Saudi Arabia’s large expatriate populations, residents from the MENA region are no strangers to destinations within the UK, their culture and history – as well as their retail and luxury hospitality offerings,” Simon Press, senior director, WTM London, commented.

Press added that the relaxation of tourist visa requirements combined with Brexit weakening the British Pound have provided an additional incentive for Middle Eastern tourists.

In addition, several Middle Eastern companies have been shortlisted for the International Travel and Tourism Awards (ITTAs), which will take place on 5 November.

Entries from Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, Azerbaijan Tourism Board and The Jordan Trail Association are among the nominees for the ITTAs.

“Over the last decade, the tourism industry in the Middle East has grown ten-fold. The developments have been incredible with the tallest buildings and tallest hotels; revolutionary transport infrastructure; theme parks and leisure attractions that are the envy of the rest of the world,” Press said.

In the same vein, Expo 2020, which will be held during the period from 20 October 2020 to 10 April 2021, will be the largest event ever staged in the Arab World.

The six-month Expo 2020 Dubai is expected to welcome more than 25 million visitors.

The global event, comprising 192 pavilions from countries around the world will be showcased, will feature cultural highlights, entertainment, and innovation.

Moving to the tourism industry, the direct contribution of travel and tourism to the Middle East’s gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow by 4.2% annually to $133.6 billion by 2028, according to recent data by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).