It's that time of year again and our team is busy making final arrangements for our clients exhibiting at World Travel Market 2016 (7-9 November).

With a range of press conferences, presentations, events and interview options, there are multiple opportunities for travel media, as well as travel bloggers and the wider travel industry.

Below is a summary of key events and opportunities. Please do not hesitate to contact us to register for an event or press conference, to set up a meeting or interview or to discuss any other opportunities.

For regular updates on our WTM activity, please click here.

Lotus clients at World Travel Market

• The Balearic Islands, Stand EU1400
• Palladium Hotel Group, Stand EU1803
• Greek National Tourism Organisation, Stands EU1200, EU1270
• Costa del Sol, Stand EU1700
• Palma Tourist Board, Stand EU1400 
• Rafa Nadal Sports Centre & Academy, Stand EU1400
• Ayre Hoteles, Stand EU1803
• Castilla Termal Hoteles, Stand EU1500
• Visit Guernsey, Stand UK1540
• Alaska Travel Partners, Stand NA370c
• Ibiza Tourist Board, Stand EU1430
• Santa Eulalia Tourist Board, Stand EU1430 
• Quito Tourist Board, Stand LA501
• Central America Tourism Agency, LA355
  
  

KEY EVENTS/ NEWS ANGLES/ INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES

The Balearic Islands:

Stand Number: EU1400

Located in the Mediterranean Sea, the Balearic Islands archipelago continues to be a favourite holiday destination for British visitors.  The Balearic Islands will continue to promote its winter events, its culture and its positioning as a world-class cycling destination.

Events for Press and relevant bloggers:

Monday 7th November at 3pm (on the stand): Balearic Islands press conference focusing on the 2016/17 tourism strategy, key tourism statistics and the launch of the tourist boards first curated magazine focused on key events during the winter months.

Tuesday 8th November at 11am (on the stand): Cycling in the Balearic Islands presentation revealing the next high profile cycling event taking place in the Balearics and featuring a special guest.

Both events are open to all media, bloggers and relevant industry guests. To register your interest, please email kate@wearelotus.co.uk  or call 0207 953 7470.

Interview Opportunities: The Vice President of the Balearic Islands, Biel Barcelo, is available to talk about visitation to the island, the tourism strategy for 2017 and key developments from a tourism point of view. For interview requests to speak to the Vice President or the Balearic Islands tourism director, Mr Pere Muñoz Perugorria, please contact Kate McWilliams, Kate@wearelotus.co.uk, 0207 953 7470

Palladium Hotel Group:

Stand Number: EU1803

One of Spain's leading hotel companies, Palladium Hotel Group, will be celebrating the opening of the new five star Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife which opens in October 2016.  Located on the edge of a lagoon on the sunny southern coast near Adeje, the 624 room resort, spread across two towers (Oasis and Nirvana) will boast three main pools, access to the natural seawater lagoon and multiple entertainment areas.

Events for industry, press and relevant bloggers:

Monday 7th November from 6pm-8.30pm: Launch party for Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife at The Fox (ExCel) for trade and media. Invite only. To register your interest, please email hrht@wearelotus.co.uk

Interview opportunity: VP Global Sales and Marketing, Sergio Zertuche, is available to discuss the opening of Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife, and new developments for 2017 across Palladium Hotel Group's other brands. To set up an interview with Sergio Zertuche or one of the Palladium team, please contact Kate or Georgina hrht@wearelotus.co.uk / 0207 953 7470.

Greek National Tourism Organisation

Stand Numbers: EU1200, EU1270

With a number of new flights and hotel openings already announced from various airlines, tour operators and hotel companies for next year, Greece is looking forward to welcoming even more UK visitors to its islands and mainland resorts in 2017. New flight routes to Greece have been unveiled by Ryanair, Thomson and Jet2, while new luxury hotels are set to open on Zante, Halkidiki and Athens.

Events for press and relevant bloggers:

Monday 7 November from 1.30-3pm: GNTO press conference and networking event at Platinum Suite 1. The GNTO will be providing an update on the latest visitor statistics, new openings and plans for 2017, as well as providing a buffet lunch.   

Monday 7 November from 12-1pm: Networking event on the Greek stand (EU1200) sponsored by the Region of Crete for relevant travel trade and media. Wine tasting and a cooking demonstration will take place, serving Crete delicacies.

Tuesday 8 November from 2.30-4pm: Q & A with historian, journalist and TV presenter Bettany Hughes followed by local liqueurs and pastry tastings – sponsored by Chios Island.

Tuesday and Wednesday from 12-1pm: There will be on stand events with cooking demonstrations from the Aegean Islands and Northern Greece.

There will also be a Greek happy hour with beer and wines from 5pm on Monday and Tuesday.

Interview Opportunities: The Minister for Tourism Mrs Elena Kountoura and/or GNTO Secretary General Mr Dimitris Tryfonopoulos, is available to talk about 2016 visitor numbers, the tourism strategy for 2017 and key developments from a tourism point of view.

To register your interest in any of the above events or to request an interview, please contact Tim Thackray tim@wearelotus.co.uk/ 0207 953 7470

Costa del Sol Tourist Board

Stand Number: EU 1700 (Costa del Sol – Andalucía Stand)

Costa del Sol will be showcasing its brand new 360º virtual visitor experience at this year's WTM (during private breakfast event below). It allows travellers to explore the monuments, towns, landscapes, marinas, beaches, caves and plazas of the region using the beautiful 360º displays. Guests can view this online or use virtual reality headsets to explore the destination. The 3D experience is available here (www.visitcostadelsol.com/360).

Costa del Sol will also be also celebrating the recent award of UNESCO World Heritage Site to The Dolmens de Antequerra burial monuments which are located close to Malaga.

Events for press and relevant bloggers:

Tuesday 8 November from 9 – 10.30am: Costa del Sol breakfast to showcase the region's new 360º virtual visitor experience. The breakfast will take place in the Docklands West Suite at Crowne Plaza London Docklands (9-minute walk from ExCeL) including presentations and continental breakfast. To register your interest, please email tim@wearelotus.co.uk

Other Lotus clients participating at World Travel Market:

Palma Tourist Board
The Balearic capital of Palma de Mallorca will continue to promote the city away from the summer months, focusing on key events and tourism developments. This city will also be promoting the new Palacio de Congresos set to open in 2017 as Palma's leading congress and events space.
To set up a meeting, please contact kate@wearelotus.co.uk

Rafa Nadal Sports Centre & Academy BY MOVISTAR
Located in Manacor (Mallorca) the Rafa Nadal Sports Centre and Rafa Nadal Academy by Movistar is collectively a new high performance centre offering a range of packages for amateur and professional tennis players, as well as facilities and programmes for other sports disciplines such as cycling and triathlons.  Launched in June 2016, the centre aims to pass on the techniques adopted by Rafa Nadal and provide a friendly environment for sportsmen and women of all levels.
To set up a meeting, please contact tim@wearelotus.co.uk

Ayre Hoteles
Following the unprecedented success of the boutique Only You Hotel & Lounge in Madrid, Ayre Hotels is launching a brand new lifestyle property next to Madrid's well-known Atocha train station. The Only You Hotel Atocha, scheduled to open in late October 2016 (just in time for World Travel Market) will be one of Madrid's most stylish openings of the season with unique design elements created by  Barcelona based interior designers Lázaro Rosa-Violán.
To set up a meeting, please contact Kate or Georgina phg@wearelotus.co.uk

Castilla Termas Hotels
Castilla Termal Hoteles are a selection of authentic four and five star thermal spa hotels located in Spain's regions of Cantabria and Castilla-Leon.  Combining historic buildings with health, gastronomy, culture and leisure, the four hotels offer an authentic Spanish wellness experience in a quintessentially Spanish environment.
To set up a meeting, please contact Lucy@wearelotus.co.uk 

Visit Guernsey
VisitGuernsey is continuing to promote itself as a leading British Isles port of call for cruises and in addition will be launching a wellness campaign at WTM. Wellness is a key focus for 2017 with new hotel and tour operator packages for improving physical fitness / mental health to Guernsey and its sister islands of Alderney, Herm and Sark. VisitGuernsey will also be exhibiting in the WTM Wellness Lounge for the first time on Wednesday 9th November.
To set up a meeting, please contact georgina@wearelotus.co.uk   

Alaska Travel Partners
Comprising Visit Anchorage, the Alaska Railroad and Fairbanks, the Alaska Travel Partner representatives cover the main tourism areas of Alaska, also known as 'The Last Frontier'.
To set up a meeting, please contact rebecca@wearelotus.co.uk 

Ibiza Tourist Board
Ibiza will continue to promote its more authentic side, showcasing the 'other side of Ibiza', away from the nightlife.
To set up a meeting, please contact jules@wearelotus.co.uk   

Santa Eulalia Tourist Board
Ibiza's second largest town, Santa Eulalia, is located on the East of the island and offers a pretty coastline, authentic restaurants, and a wide selection of top-of-the-range hotels making it an ideal holiday spot.
To set up a meeting, please contact jules@wearelotus.co.uk 

Quito Tourist Board
Quito, the capital of Ecuador sitting high in the Andes, is set to showcase Ecuadorian culture and recent tourism developments which have taken place in the city such as interactive markets, craft beer breweries, bird watching and chocolate tasting experiences.
To set up a meeting, please contact lucy@wearelotus.co.uk

Central American Tourism Agency
The Central American Tourism Agency brings together the seven countries of Central America: Belize, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Costa Rica. CATA strives to promote multi-destination travel within the Central American region.
To set up a meeting, please contact lucy@wearelotus.co.uk