WTM, ExCel, London – I came, I saw, and I went slightly mad. And having penetrated the inner sanctum of the global travel industry I can now reveal to you, the Travelwires faithful, the incontrovertible truth about World Travel Market… It sucks. Big Time.
And this is from an ex pom, returning to the land of her birth after an eight-year absence. So you should believe me when I say that we do the travel expo thing SO much better it hurts. And if anyone out there has any doubts as to whether we will deliver a rabble-rousing, 100% party of a World Cup in 2010, I say to you fear not, for we South Africans are truly the best at organizing a rip-roaring jol.
In fact, I am going to be putting my recommendations forward to Fiona Jeffery and her snooty executive types in the WTM corridors of power to ditch the winter drizzle of London, the anal Reed Travel Exhibitions team and exorbitant UK prices and bring WTM to Sunny SA so that we can show the entire world what they miss each year at Indaba.
I mean, come ON guys, you ouens really must lighten up. What’s with all these self-important executive-type dudes in suits and ties moping around looking like they’ve just lost a million or two on the stock exchange?
(Shame, with the global credit crunch, a lot of them probably have! But hey, it’s only money!)
It’s been my first time here and I am truly astounded by all of these mislik mense whose job it is to sell fun to the world’s travelling masses.
Why? Because fun is conspicuous by its absence at WTM. There is no vibe, no hype, no buzz of excitement or camaraderie, no joy, no laughter, and no time to just kick back and shoot the breeze with our international
brethren.
It’s sterile, and far too serious.
I arrived in London last Tuesday with expectations of a mega Indaba and visions of the tourism world joining hands and celebrating our commonality. It was exciting to be part of something so big, so vital and so lauded by my travel chums.
But instead of a big virtual hug and welcoming smile from my global colleagues all I got was a slap in the chops with a wet blanket and miserable indifference.
Siestog ouens, get over yourselves and lighten up, I say! You don’t have to have a mealie up your bum to do good business – it’s much better to stick the mealie on the braai, knock back a few brewskies and seal deals, African-style, while talking kak in relaxed and pleasant surroundings.
Perhaps I’ve been spoiled by the spontaneity and joie de vive at Indaba each year. Maybe it’s our ripper beach parties and get-togethers on exhibitor stands that have predisposed me. Or the fact that wherever you go at Indaba you see smiles and dispositions to match the sunny skies outside.
True, it’s hard to stay chirpy when it’s 3 degrees outside and drizzling with it. And it’s tough to be bright when the sky is permanently the colour of slate and it gets dark at 4pm.
Add to this having to spend your life savings each day just to get a cup of coffee and a half-decent sarmie, and you can understand why even the happiest of chaps would have a hard time staying positive. But, and here’s the rub, there’s just no excuse for rudeness and indifference, two things which were abundant at ExCel last week.
I asked one of the organizers in the event manager’s office if they could spare a moment to help orientate me as a first-time WTM delegate. I was greeted with a blank stare, a slight shrug of the shoulders and an incredulous “haven’t you read your WTM guide?”
Um, yes, actually, but hey, I was just asking for the hell of it because I had nothing better to do (not!)
Waiting in a seemingly never-ending queue for an over-priced cup of coffee I chirped the man in front of me that everyone looked so serious in their suits and ties. The response? “We’re not here to enjoy ourselves, we’re here to do business.” Spoken with a dismissive frown followed by a disdainful glare.
Oops! Sorry I spoke! Where I come from we can multitask – managing to enjoy ourselves while doing business. Really good business too.
I’m glad I’ve lost my WTM virginity, but like all first times, I found the experience a huge anti-climax and seriously lacking in finesse.
It’s over-rated, over-priced and overpoweringly dull. And a good litmus test for anyone considering leaving South Africa for pastures new.
I spent my journeys to and from ExCel each day watching Britain’s average Joe’s and Josephines going about their daily lives, commuting into work and home again. With a few, rare exceptions the people under my scrutiny appeared miserable, surly, non-communicative and anti-social, keeping themselves to themselves and ignoring my chirpy pleasantries.
I left England 17 years ago to make a new life in South Africa – the country which has always inspired me to be the best I can be, which every day instills in me a deep and abiding pride and sense of belonging. It has its problems, fair enough, but let me tell you that we are streets ahead of our competitors when it comes to delivering exciting, vibrant and life-changing holiday experiences. Why? Because we South Africans know how to have fun, and love to share. We have a fabulous country filled with fabulous people who, in spite of adversity, manage to retain the ability to rise above everything and greet each day with a smile.
That’s what makes us great. That’s what make’s Indaba undoubtedly the best travel exhibition in the world. And that’s what will make the 2010 soccer World Cup the best there has ever been.
My first WTM will be my last. We have the best, so forget the rest – viva Indaba, viva!
Great piece Sharon, your command of South Africanism’s is admirable and you’ve hit the mail on the head. Tourism doesn’t need intermediatories who don’t give a damn for the business they are in. The reality is that travellers are going to be booking direct and travelling more and more based on advice and contact with people on the ground in destinations…people who are in the hospitality industry because it is great fun.