Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE) announced today at ibtm world in Barcelona that it has signed a global agreement designating oneworld as its exclusive airline alliance partner for 2016, in what is believed to be the biggest yet partnership of its kind.

It will see the leading organiser of travel and tourism events offer clients attending these events attractive discounts on the worldwide network of the most highly prized global airline alliance.

It covers RTE events worldwide in 2016, including World Travel Market (WTM), International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Events (ibtm) events – a total of 19 shows, taking place in some 15 cities on five continents, attracting an estimated 100,000 delegates from across the travel sector worldwide.

Participants of the travel events that are under the umbrella of Reed Travel Exhibitions will, from December 2015, be able to make flight reservations via www.oneworld.com/events for travel to these shows - and receive discounted fares for themselves and a companion.  They can fly on any oneworld member airline, which include 15 of the world’s leading carriers, serving between them more than 1,000 destinations in 150 plus countries.

Members of any oneworld member airline frequent flyer programme will be able to take advantage of their usual privileges and benefits along the way – including earning miles/points and, for top tier cardholders and one companion each, the use any of the 650 plus airport lounges provided by the alliance’s airlines the world over.

Oneworld and oneworld events, the alliance’s travel solution for the meetings, conferences, conventions, exhibitions and special events sector, will be prominently promoted at RTE’s 2016 events including during their build up.

“I am delighted to announce this partnership with oneworld events, the one stop air travel solution for large-scale meetings, conventions and events worldwide, so the strategic match with our portfolio creates a great partnership,” said Nick Pilbeam, divisional director of Reed Travel Exhibitions.

“Every attendee whether exhibitor, buyer, media or trade visitor will be able to book simply and easily through the oneworld events portal where each show will have its own customised link, as well as a 24 hour support desk.

“Being the world’s largest travel event organiser, with shows on all continents and customers travelling all over the globe to attend our events, the synergy with oneworld’s global network, with 15 major carriers and their affiliates, is an excellent fit for our customers,” added Pilbeam.

Oneworld director of sales José María Alvarado said: “We are delighted and proud that Reed Travel Exhibitions – which brings together the travel, events and conventions industries worldwide - has selected oneworld events as its exclusive official airline alliance partner for its events in the year ahead.

“The conventions and events industry clearly loves the attractive flight discounts on a collection of some of the world’s leading airlines that oneworld events offers, to say nothing of its ease of use and the many other benefits it provides. Today’s contract with Reed Travel Exhibitions is a tangible seal of approval from the very people who best know the sector that oneworld events is designed to serve.”

Both parties believe that the synergy of their expertise and quality of customer service will build an alliance where connections really do mean business. – TradeArabia News Service