International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) has reported a steady growth in size and improved quality of attendees for the show this December, having already reached its targets for sold exhibitor space and registered buyers. ILTM has seen a gradual growth since its inception in 2002, mirroring the evolution in the luxury travel industry.

 

Last year the show had 1245 exhibiting companies and 1,050 VIP buyers in attendance, whereas this December, ILTM will welcome approximately 1,280 exhibitors and over 1200 VIP buyers in attendance.

This growth goes hand in hand with consolidating the quality of attendees to ensure that the show continues to offer the unique platform of business opportunities on which its reputation stands. The careful selection and qualification of all attendees, the unique 1:1 ratio between buyers and exhibitors, and the ability for everyone to target and confirm their schedules well in advance are behind the show’s continued success.

Ryan Wallace, Sales Manager at ILTM comments, “The growth from 2006 has been strictly controlled with a greater emphasis being placed on the qualification of buyers and exhibitors than ever before. Attendance at a previous ILTM event does not automatically qualify a buyer or exhibitor for the next year and every year we revise our admission policy to ensure that we host the highest quality buyers and exhibitors.”

ILTM operates a strict buyer qualification process, whereby each application is dealt with and researched individually to ascertain the company’s credentials and suitability to the show. This year ILTM has rejected twice the amount of buyers in comparison with last year, to ensure that quality endures alongside measured growth.

“One of the benefits of our thorough qualification process is that we are the first to hear about new buyers in the luxury travel market, bringing fresh opportunities to our exhibitors,” Wallace added. “This year we’ll welcome 715 new individual buyers to ILTM which equates to 60% of the total number of hosted buyers at the event.”

“We also listen carefully to feedback we receive at the end of each show and use it to improve for the following year. Last year for example, we experienced a demand from exhibitors for a wider range of buyers across a broader spectrum of corporate and niche markets and we have taken this into consideration in our qualifying criteria for 2007.”

Earlier this month, ILTM announced the schedule for its opening Conference with confirmed keynote speakers Costas Christ and Dr. Concetta Lanciaux. This year, the Conference will focus on the core issue of climate change and the impact of global warming on the Luxury Travel industry. The ILTM inaugural Industry Report on the state of the luxury travel industry will also be revealed.