Friday, November 8, 2024 The World Travel Market London 2024 concluded with a captivating keynote by comedian and travel series host Katherine Ryan, who spoke eloquently about resilience, taking risks, and the intriguing new travel trend dubbed “rawdogging.” The event wrapped up with a generally optimistic atmosphere, mirroring the upbeat discussions that pervaded the stages on the final day, including debates on overtourism. Pedro Homar from VisitPalma, told attendees he was optimistic that overtourism could be addressed through various technology-enabled practical measures, but the main driver is political.
“Tourism has become the common enemy for inhabitants,” he said. “And when we solve issues around mobility, housing, schools, there won’t be as big an emphasis on overtourism.” He also admitted that attempts to address overtourism through pricing had failed.
A notable panel session centered on the future of budget travel, pondering whether the days of low-cost journeys are fading. It was agreed that while pricing remains a crucial decision factor for many, the true allure lies in perceived value, with personalization emerging as a key strategy to enhance traveler satisfaction. Sarah Sheppard from tech giant Sabre noted: “The priority is more value than price sensitivity, that’s being driven by traveller expectations.
” Another significant discussion focused on the technological costs for businesses, particularly in hospitality. Tim Hentschel from Hotelp.
