Merlin Entertainments Announces Accommodation Now On Sale For Trade Partners As 2023 World Travel Market Launches

Merlin Entertainments took the spotlight as the prestigious World Travel Market (WTM) 2023 event launched in London this morning.

The World Travel Market event, held from 6^th – 8^th November 2023, brings together industry professionals, thought leaders, and attendees from around the world. This year, as a leader in the travel and tourism industry, Merlin showcased its commitment to creating unforgettable visitor experiences worldwide.

The launch of the WTM event was marked by an exclusive breakfast panel event, where Merlin announced it is now offering themed accommodation options for its valued trade partners to sell. Providing an exciting opportunity for its customers to have access to short breaks within the Merlin network, with a wide variety of offerings and price points to suit different markets, this opportunity will not only strengthen ties with trade customers but also provide the opportunity for more collaboration; reaffirming Merlin as the partner of choice within the industry.

The breakfast panel event, hosted on the lastminute.com River Cruise, saw industry expert attendees being welcomed by Merlin’s CEO Scott O’Neil, who hosted a panel with the company’s senior executives. including Managing Director of Resort Theme Parks Mike Vallis, Managing Director of Midway Attractions Rob Smith, Divisional Director of LEGOLAND® Windsor Helen Bull and Global Trade Strategy Director Dominique Sidley. The panel discussed Merlin’s ongoing commitment to welcoming international visitors and trade partners through its Midway and Resort Theme Park attractions, as well as the company’s ongoing dedication to future investments and developments at its 140+ attractions across the globe.

During the panel event, Merlin executives shared updates on various recent investments from this year, including the new World of Jumanji at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, part of the exciting partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment and at £17m, the company’s biggest-ever investment in the theme park. Also discussed was Merlin’s recently announced multi-territory exclusive partnership in the digital gaming space with Immersive Gamebox, the immersive group gaming platform, with the first initial sites being rolled out in Germany and Australia this year and plans for more sites over the next five years.

Also announced at the exclusive panel event, Merlin has confirmed it is expanding its opening hours for trade clients. This move is a testament to the commitment to continue to evolve and optimise its offering to suit customer requirements across the globe. This newfound agility will allow Merlin to tailor services to its trade customers specific needs, ensuring a more personalised and rewarding experience.As a global leader in themed attractions, Merlin’s participation at the World Travel Market reinforces its role as a key player in the global travel and tourism industry. The company's dedication to innovation ensures that visitors can expect unforgettable experiences across the world.

Visitors to the World Travel Market can find Merlin as part of the UKInbound stand, where they can discover more about the latest attractions and experiences from Merlin's vast global portfolio spanning 24 countries. From thrilling theme park adventures to immersive experiences, Merlin offers a wide array of choices to cater to the interests of guests of all ages.