Nigeria will not attend the 2025 World Travel Market London due to funding challenges, losing a key chance to showcase its tourism potential globally

Nigeria is set to miss this year’s edition of the World Travel Market (WTM) London, the world’s most influential global travel and tourism event, scheduled to take place from Tuesday, November 4 to 7, 2025, at ExCel London, Custom House.

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A source at the Federal Ministry of Culture, Tourism, Arts and Creative Economy confirmed that the country would not exhibit this year due to paucity of funds.

In previous editions, private sector tourism bodies such as the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), and the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) led Nigeria’s participation, showcasing the nation’s travel assets and opportunities.

However, after the private sector handed over coordination to the Ministry last year, expectations were high for a stronger national presence in 2025. Those hopes have now been dashed.

An aide to the Minister of Tourism confirmed the decision, noting that financial constraints made participation impossible this year.

The absence means Nigeria will miss a valuable opportunity to promote its tourist destinations, cultural heritage, and investment potential to a global audience of travel professionals, investors, and policymakers.

This year’s WTM London is centred around technology and innovation, with a special Technology Summit slated for Wednesday, November 5, at the Purple Stage.

The summit will explore how digital tools can help travel suppliers adapt to disruption and shifting global trends.

Curated by Timothy O’Neil-Dunne, WTM’s technology advisor and a founding team member of Expedia, the programme will bring together global travel executives, entrepreneurs, investors, and researchers to discuss the event’s unifying theme  “Reimagining Travel in a Changing World.”

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Nigeria’s absence from such a high-profile forum underscores the continuing challenges facing its tourism sector, particularly in government-led international engagement and funding sustainability.