City partners support Visit York at World Travel Market.

A delegation of city partners, business leaders and attractions came together to mark their support for York’s return to World Travel Market next week.

Representatives from Make It York, City of York Council, York BID, Hospitality Association York, York High Street Forum, Federation of Small Businesses, Chamber of Commerce, City Cruises, National Railway Museum, The York Dungeon, JORVIK Viking Centre, The Bloody Tour of York, The Grand and York’s Town Crier came together to celebrate taking York to the world at the leading industry event for travel and tourism.  

World Travel Market London is the market leading international travel event, unlocking business opportunities for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. Visit York and Visit Leeds will join forces on the UK Inbound stand from 7th to 9th November at London Excel. 

Visit York, a part of Make It York, will launch the national Love York with LNER short break campaign to international partners, showcasing how quick and easy train travel is to York from London Kings Cross from 1 hour and 47 minutes. Partners featuring in the campaign include York Minster, JORVIK Viking Centre, National Railway Museum, City Cruises York, Castle Howard, The Grand, York. Visit York will also be promoting the forthcoming York Christmas Festival from 17th November to 23rd December, in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of St Nicholas Fair.  

World Travel Market is the premier location where travel professionals come together to connect and hear about how leading companies have reshaped their businesses and data insights into trending destinations and products. 

The B2B event allows tourism businesses from around the globe to showcase their brand and exhibit at the show along with the biggest names in accommodation and hospitality, renowned tourism destinations and attractions, innovative travel technology providers and airlines. Helping NTO’s and international travel providers to do business with world-class travel buyers, as well as to showcase their services to the international press. Attendees from over 160 countries and over 3,000 exhibitors. 

Sarah Loftus, Managing Director at Make It York, said: “We are thrilled to be attending World Travel Market this year with our partners at Visit Leeds. World Travel Market is the ultimate destination for travel and tourism, and a brilliant opportunity for us to reconnect with key tour operators old and new. We will be representing over 800 of our Visit York members to international partners, showcasing the exceptional offering we have in York and Yorkshire.” 

Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, said: “York is proud to be the home of so many excellent businesses and individuals who work incredibly hard to create unique visitor experiences for residents and the millions of visitors exploring our city each year. These businesses are an essential part of our city and local economy. It’s important that their work is represented on the national and international stage.” 

Andrew Lowson, Executive Director at York BID, said: “York has always been very popular with international tourists, but with Covid we have suffered over the past couple of years. It’s great to get down to World Travel Market and tell people what a great place York is and remind them to come back to the city.” 

Sarah Czarnecki, Deputy Chair at Hospitality Association York, said: “International visitors are crucial and have never been more important than they are right now. The whole city is dependent on driving the international market. It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to go to World Travel Market and attract more visitors.” 

David Skaith, Chair of York High Street Forum, said: ”York is one of the most amazing cities in the world. It’s a great place to come and visit, amazing tourist attractions, fantastic bars, restaurants and shopping. It’s a beautiful city and we want to showcase it to the world, attracting as many people as possible to come and appreciate our wonderful city.”