Gibraltar makes a return to WTM

Gibraltar - situated at the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula - will make a return to London's World Travel Market (WTM) in November after a four-year gap participating in the world's second largest travel exhibition.

Despite the issue of its sovereignty being battled between the UK and Spain for some time, government officials on ‘the Rock' believe a significant thawing in relations is set to transform its tourism outlook for the better.

September 2006 set the tone when Spain and Britain set aside many of their differences over Gibraltar, signing the historic Cordoba agreement.

"We are delighted to be welcoming back our friends from Gibraltar who clearly will be able to enjoy the global business opportunities that the event offers to exhibitors," said WTM managing director, Fiona Jeffery.

"Significantly, the deal now allows Spanish flights to fly direct to the British Overseas Territory - previously visitors from Spain were routed via London."

Gibraltar Tourist Office UK spokeswoman Tracey Poggio said: "Iberia and British Airways have begun flights and the route is already proving a tremendous success. A new Barcelona route is also promised.

"In addition, the new agreement now includes Gibraltar in European aviation regulations, allowing carriers from the rest of Europe to fly in. What it has done is open up Gibraltar to a new international audience.

"Malaga has become a viable hub, and as a result there has been significant marketing of Gibraltar in Spain. Importantly, we are hopeful of spreading the word across Europe at World Travel Market - we can sell Gibraltar like a new destination across the continent."

To cater to the expected increase in visitors by air, the territory's government has unveiled a major redevelopment programme for Gibraltar Airport scheduled to be completed by the end of 2008.

The proposed new two-storey glass and steel construction will comprise 20,000m² - dwarfing the existing facilities.

"UK visitors have been our mainstay and figures remain strong," said Poggio. "If we are honest the numbers bring us close to saturation point. We welcome around eight million visitors a year, which in terms of area means we are one of the most densely populated places in Europe.

"But there is lots of building work going on to cater for visitors. Improvements to the infrastructure have been underway for some time and Gibraltar wants to become a vibrant, European city. To remain a successful destination we must ensure we have a modern outlook."

Up to 11 hotel projects are currently under consideration by planners, which would potential treble the existing bed stock by 2014.

The announcement of Gibraltar's return to WTM, which will be staged from November 12-15, follows news that Bosnia and Herzegovina will attend the event for the first time.

The former Yugoslavian republic will exhibit as part of a sustained effort to improve its international image following the civil war of the 1990s.

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