Field Notes from London (WTM 2026): Why Great Travel Experiences Need More Than Smart Algorithms
Chaska Tours at World Travel Market 2026 – fresh perspectives, familiar faces, and growing interest in Colombia.
London, November 2026. Three days at World Travel Market (WTM), countless conversations, new connections, and plenty of inspiration. When the international travel industry comes together in London, it's a reminder of just how diverse our world is – and how much the tourism landscape continues to evolve.
We were delighted to be part of WTM London 2026 once again. The atmosphere was fantastic, with tour operators, Destination Management Companies (DMCs), tourism professionals, and technology providers from around the world coming together to exchange ideas and explore what the future of travel might look like.
And one observation stood out in particular: Interest in Colombia continues to grow.
Colombia: Growing Curiosity Beyond the Beaten Path
One thing became especially clear during our conversations: Colombia is increasingly being recognised as a remarkably diverse travel destination. And the interest is no longer limited to well-known highlights such as Cartagena, the Coffee Region, or Medellín.
More and more international tour operators are looking for experiences beyond the usual tourist trails – lesser-explored regions, authentic encounters, and journeys that feel genuinely personal.
We've also noticed growing interest from Asian markets, something that becomes more apparent with every international trade show we attend.
For us, this is an encouraging reflection of the work we do. After all, this is exactly what Chaska Tours has stood for over the past 20 years: not simply promoting Colombia as a destination, but helping travellers discover its extraordinary diversity through genuine local knowledge.
AI Can Plan a Trip. But Does It Understand the Reality on the Ground?
Another major talking point at WTM was technology, particularly artificial intelligence. The possibilities are developing rapidly, opening up exciting opportunities for the travel industry.
At the same time, our conversations revealed an interesting countertrend: The easier it becomes to plan trips digitally, the more valuable genuine, first-hand local expertise becomes.
AI can put together an impressive-looking Colombia itinerary in seconds. But whether that itinerary actually makes sense logistically, how long certain journeys take under real conditions, or which local partners can be relied upon – that's another matter entirely.
This is precisely why international tour operators are increasingly looking for local DMCs that genuinely know their destinations.
For us, local expertise goes far beyond knowing the most beautiful places. It's about planning realistically, adapting when circumstances change, maintaining long-standing relationships on the ground, and making experiences possible that simply can't be pulled together from a database.
Technology is a valuable tool. But it cannot replace the experience of people who work in a destination every single day.
Old Friends, New Ideas, and the Future of Adventure Travel
One of the personal highlights of our time in London was the AdventureCONNECT event hosted by the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA).
It was wonderful to reconnect with old friends and familiar faces from the international adventure travel community, meet new people, and exchange ideas about where adventure tourism is heading.
Moments like these remind us why we love being part of this industry. Behind the itineraries, destinations, and businesses are people who share a genuine passion for exploration and discovery.
And despite all the technological advances, one thing remains unchanged: travel is built on human connections – between travellers, local hosts, and the people working behind the scenes to make meaningful experiences possible.
From London to Dresden – and On to Mexico
There's not much time to catch our breath, as our next events are already just around the corner.
We'll also be attending the DIAMIR Globetrotter Days in Dresden, Germany. On Saturday, 7 November 2026, at 2:00 pm, Michael Gold will take the audience on a journey through Colombia.
His presentation is titled: "Beyond Coffee, the Caribbean and Cartagena: The Risk? You Might Want to Stay."
The talk will explore both the country's famous highlights and its lesser-known regions, the people who make travelling there so special, and the countless little stories that make Colombia such a fascinating destination.
And our international journey continues. From 10 to 12 November 2026, Chaska Tours will be represented at the inaugural ITB Americas in Guadalajara, Mexico.
It's an exciting new platform for strengthening connections across the Americas and continuing to introduce Colombia as a diverse and rewarding travel destination.
What We're Taking Away from London
WTM 2026 has given us plenty of fresh ideas, interesting contacts, and valuable conversations. Above all, it has reinforced something we've believed in for a long time.
The best journeys aren't created through beautiful images, perfectly written itineraries, or clever technology alone. They happen when curiosity meets experience, when people share their knowledge, and when a destination becomes something you don't just visit, but truly experience.
And that's exactly what we strive for at Chaska Tours – both in Colombia and wherever we have the opportunity to inspire others to discover this extraordinary country.
Hasta pronto – from London, Dresden, or Guadalajara!
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