The organisers of International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) announced that they have already exceeded their…
The organisers of International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) announced that they have already exceeded their sales space of last year only 5 months into the show cycle. Demand for the show is reflecting the growing sector of luxury travel suppliers and the recognition of the resilience of the very top end of the market in troubled times, said David Hammond of International Luxury Travel Market.
In addition to 98% repeat business, new exhibitors feature prestige clients such as Orient Express, the Dorchester Group and Inter-Continental Resorts from the accommodation sector, and Cavendish White from the private yacht sector.
The prediction is that the event will finish twice the size of 2002 and the organisers are already warning that potential exhibitors wishing to participate must confirm sooner rather than later in order to avoid disappointment as a wait list policy is to be adopted. This is particularly important in order to maintain the correct balance between hosted buyer and seller.
In addition the Hosted Buyer programme has increased by 20% year on year to 500 delegates from 38 countries world-wide. Sarah Ball, Marketing Manager, commented Already many of last year`s buyers have committed to this year`s programme in addition to new entrants. Delegations have been substantially increased from the USA and Russia and the C.I.S. and we are very pleased to be working with organisations such as Virtuoso and Conde Nast Traveller.
ILTM has been surprisingly firm with some delegates from last year`s programme. The few buyers who missed appointments last year have been expelled from future events. We have to respect the fact our exhibitors deserve the very best of buyers and an appropriate level of courtesy in appointment setting. If these standards are not met we will have no hesitation in expelling them from the event and ensuring they have to refund all costs. All our exhibitors have a real return on their investment and we will continue to protect this, no matter what the status or excuse of the buyer said David Hammond.
International Luxury Travel Market is the only global trade event dedicated to the promotion of the top end of the market and takes place annually in December in Cannes on the French Riviera.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
