Don’t be surprised if you encounter groups of Indian dancers or a Mariachi band or two on the Tube as you travel through London this week.
These and many similar extraordinary sights are just part of a crazy and frenetic four days known as World Travel Market – the annual meeting place and business forum for the global travel industry.
Up to 50,000 representatives from the world of travel and media across the world will be converging on the capital for the exhibition.
Bemused commuters confronted with trade show exhibitors in traditional dress in chilly November London can be assured that whilst all the partying and promotions are going on often late into the night, there is a serious side to the event.
Global travel industry meets in London
Tourism ministers from all continents of the globe are in town this week for serious discussions on key issues ranging from climate change and sustainable travel through to how the travel industry steers itself out of global recession.
The fact that WTM is held a little over a month before the start of the festive season provides an additional incentive for foreign dignitaries who will no doubt be taking advantage of the weakness of the pound to get in some serious Christmas shopping during their time in the capital.
WTM marks its 30th anniversary this year at the ExCel convention centre in London’s Docklands, some long way from its foundations in Olympia during the height of the punk revolution.
As someone who has been involved in reporting from the show for too many years than I would like to admit – certainly from the days of 1980s New Romantics – I find it remarkable that only this year has the cruise sector been recognised with a dedicated event as part of the show.
A high level debate, including executive from Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line. MSC Cruises and Yachts of Seabourn, will be the highlight of a programme which also involves a training session on cruise for travel agents.
Issues up for debate on Tuesday include how cruising is weathering the financial storm and future trends such as the growth in the number of younger people choosing to cruise.
Future developments in the world of cruising will be discussed and, crucially, an analysis of demand for additional ships beyond 2012 when the current boom in new orders for vessels ends.
All good stuff, which is sure to stimulate healthy discussion, but I have get a slight feeling of bandwagon jumping by the organisers.
Cruise finally gains a platform
Surely cruise should have been high on the agenda some time ago. After all, cruise holidays are arguably the fastest growing part of the travel industry and the one sector that has room for further mass appeal.
Despite the recession, the UK cruise business is expected to grow by five per cent this year and 6.5% in 2010.
Younger couples and more families are being attracted as ships widen their appeal with a seemingly never-ending list of new on board activities for all ages.
And with average prices down this year as cruise lines seek to fill their ships during a time of economic uncertainty, the value for money equation has never been better.
Three quarters of people who take a cruise holiday rank it excellent or good and just four per cent say it was poor – the kind of ratings many a land-based resort would die for.
For these reasons alone it is a welcome, albeit belated, initiative to give cruise a decent profile at WTM.
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