Dylan Sings Hard Warning at WTM

The sound of music will be beautiful but harrowing at WTM's World Responsible Tourism Day. Bob Dylan's iconic 'Hard Rain' is to feature at the opening ceremony on Wednesday 12 November.

Mark Edwards dramatic presentation, which has enjoyed rave reviews worldwide, is a series of unforgettable graphic images set to the words and music of Dylan's 'A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall'.

"What's astonishing is that these words were written in the 1960's when environmental issues such as climate change were simply not recognised, "said Fiona Jeffery, Chairman of World Travel Market.

"When you add the potency of stark graphic images to the words and haunting music, the messages have even greater impact and significance for the international travel industry.

"This is going to be an environmental opening ceremony like no other. It offers delegates a spectacular and inspiring reminder of the challenges that face our industry.

"The pictures are not always easy on the eye, but are also a positive message of hope."

Mark Edwards, one of the most widely published editorial photographers in the world, has made 'Hard Rain' a lifetime's work. Regarded as the leading specialist photographer on environmental issues, the Third World and nature, Edwards will officially open WTM's World Responsible Tourism Day at ExCeL London with a glimpse of the 'Hard Rain' presentation.

He will also stage the complete 45-minute presentation twice at World Travel Market, on Tuesday 11 November, as well as on WTM's World Responsible Tourism Day.

The presentation has prompted global support from leading celebrities, major environmental organisations and politicians such as former UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

It is thought to have captured the essence of environmental problems more vividly than Al Gore's 'An Inconvenient Truth'. 

"The Hard Rain Picture Show takes audiences on a journey through rainforests, man-made deserts, inside shantytowns and peasant villages and into communities of indigenous people living in the most remote habitats on earth", said Edwards.

"It is not another travelogue or an exercise in hand-wringing. The presentation takes us face to face with our problems and the solutions hidden inside the issues that define the 21st century."

"I hope it will inspire and encourage the international travel industry, not only to participate in the complex debate about how best to address the pressing problems that threaten to engulf us, but also to take action by supporting WTM's World Responsible Tourism Day."

"Hard Rain is electrifying", said Jeffery. "The most important presentation I have ever seen on responsible tourism, forcing us to question how we conduct business and live our lives. Amazing."

'Hard Rain' Programme, WTM Conference Set, Platinum 4, Level 3, ExCeL London

Tuesday 11 November
14.00 hrs presentation

Wednesday 12 November
10.30 hrs WTM's World Responsible Tourism Day official opening by Mark Edwards

16.30 hrs presentation
 
Log on to wtmwrtd.com for WTM's World Responsible Tourism Day events.

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For further WTM WRTD information contact Jane Larcombe on +44 (0) 1892 785071 email: jane@janelarcombecommunications.com.

For further WTM press information please contact Arleigh Galant Vasconcellos on +44(0)20 8910 7038 email: arleigh.galantvasconcellos@reedexpo.co.uk.

NOTES TO EDITORS

World Travel Market - New Admission Policy

World Travel Market (WTM), the global trade event for the travel industry, announces a new admission policy designed to benefit both exhibitors and visitors alike. The new WTM policy includes changes to the structure of the daily format, with WTM Opening Day on Monday 10 November open to Exhibitors, Exhibitor Invitees, Ministers and Press. The following three days, from Tuesday 11 November to Thursday 13 November, will be accessible to all Meridian Club members, Travel Trade professionals, Ministers and Press, giving participants more flexibility to choose the days they wish to visit the exhibition.

Students will be invited to attend WTM on Wednesday 12 November and Thursday 13 November, where they will participate in a structured education programme. Individuals from the retail arm of the travel industry including travel agents, homeworkers and call centre staff will be invited to attend WTM on Thursday 13 November.

WTM remains a trade only exhibition. A full programme of conferences, seminars, B2B meetings and industry initiatives will run across three days, from Tuesday 11 November to Thursday 13 November, and includes the UNWTO Ministers' Summit and WTM World Responsible Tourism Day (WTM WRTD), along with a number of new initiatives on Thursday 13 November, such as an extended Responsible Tourism programme and exhibitor-to-exhibitor networking initiatives.

For further details visit www.wtmlondon.com.

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