Sport tourism summit for World Travel Market London

A new Global sport tourism summit will be launched at World Travel Market (WTM) London 2016, the leading global event for the travel industry, in association with sport tourism company W2 Consulting.

Taking place on the first day of WTM London (Monday, November 7), the inaugural Global Sport Tourism Summit at WTM London will showcase the burgeoning worldwide sport-tourism sector and provide a platform for destinations, events, academics, and respected professionals in the field to discuss best practices and future trends.

Following a summer of sport - with the European football championships in France and the Olympics in Rio - the summit will feature keynote speakers from across the world to debate one of the fastest-growing tourism industry segments.

The summit will have three key strands:

1. Sport Tourism Summit - Presentations from key figures, events, destinations, and experts, along with networking opportunities.

2. Sport Tourism Data - Launch of the Annual Sport Tourism Monitor 2016.

3. Global Sport Tourism Awards at WTM London - Award presentations honouring excellence in a range of categories including destinations, marketing, events, and charities.

The summit will be hosted by WTM London in partnership with sport tourism consultancy W2 Consulting, which was founded by Mark O'Connell and Keith Wood, a decorated international rugby union star who played for Ireland and the British and Irish Lions.

Simon Press, senior director, World Travel Market London, said: "I am delighted WTM London will be hosting the inaugural Global Sport Tourism Summit and Awards. Sport tourism is an increasingly important segment within the travel industry, with countries and cities bidding for major sporting events in part due to the exposure and the positive impact it can have on the destination's tourism industry. Teaming up with W2 Consulting means we will have top-flight speakers, insightful debates, and astute analysis to help attendees get the most out of the summit."

Wood added: "The sport tourism sector has grown significantly in recent years, with WTM London championing its cause at the annual event. We are extremely excited to announce the establishment of this major Global Sport Tourism Summit for 2016 and working with WTM London on this significant summit. Sporting events are continually in the headlines, offering huge opportunities to the host destination and tourism stakeholders. The Global Sport Tourism Summit at WTM London will hear from international experts how destinations can exploit the potential available in what is the fastest-growing sector in global tourism and win bids for major global events."

WTM London is the event where the travel and tourism industry conducts its business deals. Buyers from the WTM Buyers' Club have a combined purchasing responsibility of US$22.6 billion (£15.8b) and sign deals at the event worth US$3.6 billion (£2.5b).

WTM London 2016 will be revamped as a three-day event from November 7-9, with opening hours from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. for all three days.