WTM is a global brand with similar exhibitions taking place around the world; their portfolio consists of the Arabian Travel Market, first opened in 1994, the WTM Latin America launched in 2012, and WTM Africa in 2014.

The flagship and original event was WTM London, which was originally opened in 1980, attracting nearly 8,000 trade visitors at Olympia, London, where it was held until 1992 when the show moved to Earls Court and finally finding its home for over two decades at ExCel. This year’s World Travel Market took place on Tuesday 5 until Thursday 7 November with over 5,000 attendees visiting this annual event, unlike any other, and of course the Cyprus stand showed up with a few of its culinary delights!

In the presence of Cypriot Minister of Tourism, Mr. Kostas Koumis, the Cyprus stand proved to be a very popular stopping point for visitors of the World Travel Market, attracted by the smell of the now world-famous halloumi. This year, Cypriot cuisine was served with a twist, the expectation of most is that the food would be grilled with a leafy garnish, but the halloumi was served in a delicious batter and coated with sesame and anise seeds. Cyprus, famous for its wine, incorporates it into many recipes, the most well-known would be Afelia, wine marinated pork cubes with the trademarked coriander seeds, and stifado marinated in a blend of red wine and red wine vinegar; but wine is also key in the Cypriot loukaniko, this Cypriot pork sausage is marinated in red wine for hours, sometimes days, before being collated into its classic chunky shape. This juicy offering was served as street food, giving visitors the opportunity to sample the sausage with the less traditional dips and more commonly known sauces, ketchup and mustard. But the star of the show was the Commandaria, a fortified wine made of a blend of two indigenous grape varieties – mavro and xynisteri.

According to the Guinness World Records, Commandaria as the oldest wine in the world, having been traced back to 2,000 BC and still in production to this day, and yet absurdly, it remains relatively unknown on an international scale!

As impressive as sampling all that history may be, a Commandaria cocktail by mixologists offers different dynamic, not something one usually sees with other fortified wines. Blending the most classic alcoholic beverage with fresh lime juice, cherry syrup and tonic water, aptly named Commandaria Fizz, this cocktail enables Commandaria to be experienced slightly chilled as opposed to the normal or slightly warmer than room temperature recommendations. Cyprus and her people never fail to be warm and welcoming, always ensuring her guests are fed and the WTM stand did just that, offering visitors an array of traditional products sampled with stunning images of the islands beautiful landscape and rich architectural heritage.

Source: Parikiaki.com