Tourexpi
In 2025, for the first time, WTM London are introducing a unified theme across all six conference tracks to maintain focus and enhance clarity throughout the event. While the tracks remain consistent with last year—covering Sustainability, Technology, DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion), Marketing, Geo-Economics, and Travel Trends—the unified theme will create a cohesive experience for all attendees.
Organisers are now inviting bold thinkers, fresh voices, and forward-looking innovators to submit proposals for WTM 2025. This is an opportunity to share expertise with a wide-reaching, global audience of travel industry professionals and contribute to shaping the future of the sector.
Submissions should align with one of the six key conference tracks and clearly demonstrate how the proposed session supports the 2025 theme: Reimagining Travel in a Changing World.
WTM’s keynotes, panel discussions and presentations are a highlight of the event, as evidenced by the overwhelmingly positive feedback each year from attendees, sponsors and speakers alike.
Conference session attendance rose by 29% in 2024 compared to 2023. In response, WTM London quickly expanded stage capacity, including a debut extension into Level 0 of Excel London. For 2025, conference space will be increased even further to accommodate expected growth in audience numbers.
Six industry experts, one per track, comprise the conference advisory team. Their role is to curate the submissions for their respective track and to tap into their extensive networks to bring interesting and relevant stories to the stage.
WTM London’s conference advisors and tracks consist of:
- DEAI – Uwern Jong, Experientialist®-in-Chief at OutThere
- Geo-economics – Mark Frary, Author, Writer and Consultant
- Marketing – Matthew Gardiner, Director of Travel Massive and Senior Vice President at FINN Partners and Tina Charisma, Director and Founder of the Charisma Campaign
- Sustainability – Tina O’Dwyer, Founder & CEO of The Tourism Space
- Technology – Timothy O’Neil-Dunne, President at T2Impact LLC
The conference programme is already starting to take shape. The opening day – Tuesday 4 November – sees the WTM Global Travel Report, sustainability summit and geo-economics summit taking place from 11am on the yellow, purple and orange stages respectively. The technology and DEAI summits are happening on the Wednesday 5 November, also starting at 11am on the purple and orange stages.
The final day of the event – Thursday 6 – features the marketing summit on the yellow stage, as well as the ITT Future You Forum and the closing keynote, details of which will be announced shortly.
Previous closing keynote speakers include businesswoman and comedian Katherine Ryan, award-winning documentary maker Louis Theroux and entrepreneur Steven Bartlett.
Submissions for the Call for Content will close on July 7.
“Introducing a unified theme across the programme brings greater consistency and coherence to our content,” said Brooke Gilbertson, Conference Manager, WTM London. “Reimagining Travel in a Changing World is a theme designed to inspire attendees to reflect on the evolving purpose of travel in the face of global shifts, emerging challenges, and fresh opportunities. It lays the foundation for meaningful dialogue, innovation, and collaboration across every facet of the travel and tourism industry.”
“Last year, we launched the Call for Content form, which was a great success—introducing us to some outstanding new speakers and fresh perspectives. The form reflects WTM’s ongoing commitment to providing an inclusive platform for meaningful ideas that tackle today’s challenges and inspire long-term transformation across the travel industry.
“WTM London’s conference sessions have always struck the right balance between being educational and entertaining, and with the momentum built last year, we expect this year’s line-up to be one of the strongest in WTM London’s 45-year history.”
Picture Credit: © WTM
The most interesting news
Global Travel Buyer Index (GTBI): Current situation assessed more cautiously - expectation
Dr. Fried & Partner and ITB Berlin publish the results of the Global Travel Buyer Index (GTBI) for the second quarter of 2025.
easyJet and easyJet holidays announce 11 new routes and package holidays
easyJet and easyJet holidays have revealed 11 new routes from Newcastle Airport for summer 2026, with thousands of package holidays now on sale today to the range of brand-new destinations.
Emirates forges interline partnership with Bahamasair
Emirates and Bahamasair have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish an interline partnership benefitting customers travelling to The Bahamas.
Lufthansa Group and ITA Airways: Codeshares now also possible on long-haul flights
Sales launch of codeshare connections for long-haul flights from July 1, 2025
History happened here: Historic Hotels and Palatial Retreats across Kempinski’s Global Portfolio
From the banks of the Bosphorus to the capitals of Europe, Kempinski Hotels features a collection of historic hotels and magnificent palaces steeped in history
IHG Hotels and Resorts acquires Ruby, its 20th brand, and targets global expansion
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC (IHG) has acquired from Ruby SARL the RubyTM brand and related intellectual property for initial purchase consideration of €110.5m (~$116m1). Ruby is a premium urban lifestyle brand for modern travellers in must-vi
Northern Lights meet City Heights: Finnair announces route to Toronto
Set to launch on 4 May 2026, the connection will bridge Finnair’s home hub, Helsinki, with Toronto, Canada’s largest city and a global leader in business, finance, technology, entertainment, and culture.
Palma's beaches (Mallorca) will lose 1,750 sun loungers in 2026 due to rising sea levels.
Palma's beaches (Mallorca) will lose 1,750 sun loungers by 2026 due to rising sea levels | Photo: Giulio Ris
Tanzania to host World Travel Awards Africa and Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2025
World Travel Awards (WTA) will host its Africa & Indian Ocean Gala Ceremony 2025 in the enchanting nation of Tanzania, with travel industry leaders from across the region attending the VIP reception at Johari Rotana Dar es Salaam on 28 June 2025.
Riyadh Air partners with Air France-KLM!
Riyadh Air, a new airline from Saudi Arabia, has just signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Air France-KLM. This means they are teaming up to work together and create special connections between their airlines. Imagine flying to amazing places ar
Tourism Ireland launches new campaign and joins Tourism Cares
Tourism Ireland launches its new campaign, Ireland Unrushed — which encourages travelers to take their time, explore more deeply, and make more meaningful connections with people and place, while reducing their environmental footprint. The new camp
Rosewood Mandarina opens on the xhores of Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit
Marking the beginning of a new era of luxury in Mexico, the highly anticipated Rosewood Mandarina welcomes guests to enjoy the captivating energy and cultural reverence of the Pacific coast. Nearly a decade in the making, this all-suite sanctuary was
Pet Travel just got upgraded
Pet travel has just been upgraded with the unveiling today of Irish Ferries’ brand-new “Pet Den” lounges. And, while dogs, cats, and even ferrets have always been welcome onboard Irish Ferries vessels, they can now travel in elevated comfort an
Emblems Collection announces first flagship with Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa
Currently operating as a renowned country house hotel, Lucknam Park will officially join the Emblems Collection in Q4 2025. This landmark moment will see the British icon as the first Emblems property celebrating intimate luxury, unique character, el
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner adds 12th roundtrip between San Diego and Los Angeles
The Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency (Agency) today announced that the Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner® train service has added more daily roundtrips between Los Angeles and San Diego, offering travelers greater
Banyan Tree invites the world to take a sacred pause
In celebration of Global Wellness Day, Banyan Tree, the flagship brand of Banyan Group ("Banyan Tree Holdings Limited" or the "Group" - SGX: B58) unveils #ThisRightNow, a global call to pause, breathe and reconnect with what truly matters. The initia
Thailand strengthens regional Tourism Cooperation with GMS and Bhutan at TTM+ 2025
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) strengthened regional tourism cooperation by bringing together agencies from the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and representatives from the Kingdom of Bhutan during Thailand’s premier travel trade event, Tha
Turkish Airlines turns up the heat with extra summer flights
Turkish Airlines is ramping up its summer 2025 schedule with additional flights from the UK and Ireland to Istanbul and beyond.
TAP Air Portugal launches direct flight from Terceira to San Francisco
TAP Air Portugal has launched a direct flight from the Azores to San Francisco, connecting UK and Irish passengers travelling via Portugal to California.
Radisson Collection debuts in France with the opening of Cour des Loges, a Renaissance icon in Lyon
Situated in Lyon’s UNESCO-listed Vieux Lyon district — an enchanting maze of cobblestone streets, medieval façades, and hidden passageways — the hotel invites guests on a sophisticated journey where history, gastronomy, and curated lifestyle e
How to participate in the World Summit on Accessible Tourism in Turin
The city of the Mole Antonelliana is preparing to host one of the most important events in the global accessible tourism landscape: the third World Summit on Accessible Tourism “Destinations for All”, which will take place on 5th to 7th of Octobe
