ILTM, the world’s leading luxury travel event portfolio, celebrated the 20th edition of ILTM Cannes from December 6-9.

 

The flagship event for the ILTM Portfolio brought together luxury travel professionals from 73 countries with over 1,300 luxury travel suppliers from across the world for a week of one-to-one meetings - over 50,000 in total - as well as an extensive programme of networking events. 

 

With high level safety precautions in place, the event was a live reunion for industry professionals from around the world, as well as catalyst for new business connections in luxury travel.

 

ILTM Portfolio Director Alison Gilmore said: “We are proud of the role ILTM 2021 has played in giving the global luxury travel industry the live event so desperately needed. The love of travel is still as real as it ever was - so many reunions, so many introductions and so many real human connections with so much emotion.”

 

ILTM brings together the full breadth of luxury travel experiences from hidden gems to the industry’s celebrated and established brands - a catalyst for professionals and brands to form and renew relationships and discover new business opportunities.

 

Embark Beyond Founder Jack Ezon led the praises. He said: “This has been THE most impactful ILTM since its creation – a true impetus for our whole industry to forge forward and move together towards continued success.”

 

Haisley Smith of InterNova Travel Group also commented: “This week at ILTM has allowed us to reconnect with the world – each appointment, working lunch and dinner has been defined by a feeling of pure joy so huge kudos to ILTM for the planning and logistics to ensure that everyone felt safe and secure throughout.”

 

Germany’s Cube Travel GmbH CEO and Founder Silvio Rebmann said: “ILTM Cannes always has been the most important date in my trade show calendar and was desperately missed in 2020. I’ve had real ‘zoom fatigue’ so it’s been great to connect in real life!”

 

And Yuriy Horovyy, of Almont Travel in the UK, added: “It’s great to be back and reconnect with hospitality experts and friends, relationships are so important to our luxury travel advisors. It has been good to learn what suppliers have managed to do during the pandemic from renovations to new openings.”

 

The brands and experiences taking part were also thrilled. Phil Dickinson, from Qatar – taking part for the first time - commented: “This is the first time Qatar has exhibited at ILTM and it certainly won’t be our last, it has been the face-to-face networking our business needs. ILTM is an excellent platform to engage with high end tour operators from around the world.”

 

Explora Journeys chose to launch their luxury ocean experience at ILTM. CEO Michael Ungerer said: “This week has proved that nothing beats face to face after building our entire brand virtually – thanks to ILTM for bringing it to life! The entire event has been pulled off thoughtfully and carefully, we have felt completely safe and assured throughout.”

 

Stephane Laguette, of The Ozen Collection, was also delighted to be present. He said: “Throughout the week at ILTM, we have met with high-quality buyers, more than we’d even arranged to meet as well as some international media. Our strategy is long-term and with this in mind, ILTM has never been more important. 

 

"This year, more than ever, we were looking to ILTM to help us bounce back and we have not been disappointed!”

 

And Yvan Vermeesch, Owner & Managing Director at XO Private, added: “There is still no other show that offers a better springboard into the next season!”

 

Billy Gammon of Sports Travel Group, which organises and gives access to sporting experiences, commented: “Having meetings face to face once again is vital in helping us develop new relationships and see our existing clients once again. Our meetings have been excellent, as have the impromptu chats at our stand with quality buyers interested in high end sporting and leisure activities.”

 

Ampora Palacín Colldecarrera of Casa Fuster - a boutique hotel in the centre of Barcelona – also said: “After two long years, this is my first international trip to see our suppliers, colleagues and friends from around the world again. 

 

"We have noticed our clients' needs changing and everyone is super enthusiastic to get back on track. I’m delighted to get to know the people of our industry once again, luxury travel is and always will be about the people and their hearts.”

 

Iceland Luxury Managing Director Sigurjóna Sverrisdóttir concluded: “We are delighted with the enthusiasm we’ve received for our destination from the buyers. We’re looking forward to the business that we’re sure is going to come from this event, it’s a very positive sign for the future of our industry.”

 

ILTM now looks forward to its next editions: ILTM Latin America in Sao Paulo, from May 3-6, 2022, and ILTM Asia Pacific in Singapore, on June 22-23, 2022.-TradeArabia News Service