Attendance at this month's World Travel Market in London surpassed 50,000.

Show organisers said 50,246 people participated in the four-day exhibition, including almost 26,500 trade delegates, up from 23,700 last year.

The number of exhibiting companies increased by 4% to 5,631, including 100 exhibitors new to WTM.

Fiona Jeffery, chairman of WTM, said: “This was a phenomenal result, exceeding expectations. It demonstrated that in these tough times for the industry, it is absolutely necessary for senior and middle management to come together.”

Jeffery cited this year’s high level of attendance as proof that WTM’s new staggered admission policy was a benefit to the exhibition.

The event now begins with only exhibitors, their invitees, ministers and the press on the first day and then expands to include those from the retail sector, Meridian Club members and students during the week.