WTM London partners with Wanderlust to launch Headliner Stage for 2026 event

March 19, 2026 in Foreign News by Editor

WTM London names Wanderlust as its official consumer media partner, unveiling a new Headliner Stage to host high-profile travel industry conversations.

 

World Travel Market London has appointed Wanderlust Magazine as its official consumer media partner for its 2026 edition, in a move aimed at elevating content and industry dialogue at one of the sector’s most influential gatherings.

The partnership will see Wanderlust curate and host the newly created WTM Wanderlust Headliner Stage, a central platform designed to feature keynote speakers and high-profile voices from across the global travel ecosystem.

Scheduled to take place at ExCeL London from November 3–5, the event is expected to bring together industry leaders, policymakers, tourism executives and cultural figures to discuss the future of travel and tourism.

Organisers say the new stage will serve as a focal point for bold, high-level conversations, bringing together ministers, CEOs, broadcasters and destination leaders. The programme is intended to reflect the evolving priorities of the travel industry, from sustainability and responsible tourism to shifting consumer expectations and global market dynamics.

The collaboration combines WTM London’s global convening power with Wanderlust’s editorial expertise and storytelling reach. For more than three decades, Wanderlust has built a reputation as one of the UK’s leading travel publications, known for its focus on meaningful and responsible travel experiences.

WTM London, meanwhile, remains a key platform for deal-making and agenda-setting in the global tourism sector, attracting thousands of exhibitors and delegates from around the world each year. The addition of the Headliner Stage signals a stronger emphasis on thought leadership and content-driven engagement.

Event Director Chris Carter-Chapman said the partnership reflects an ambition to match the scale of the event with equally impactful discussions, while Wanderlust Editor-in-Chief George Kipouros described the collaboration as a natural fit that would amplify voices shaping the future of travel.

The initiative comes at a defining moment for the global tourism industry, as it navigates post-pandemic recovery, sustainability pressures and changing traveller behaviour. By creating a dedicated platform for high-level dialogue, WTM London and Wanderlust aim to position the event not only as a marketplace, but also as a hub for ideas and influence.

A call for speaker nominations for the Headliner Stage has already been opened to the industry, with submissions due by April 20, 2026.