A new private members club in London for the UK and global travel industry has attracted 120 members within less than two months.
Former Reed Travel Exhibitions chairman Tom Nutley, who launched the club at the end of September, hopes to have 500 members by this time next year.
The Travel Club, based at the Naval and Military Club in St James’s Square, has bars, restaurants, conference and meeting facilities, a gym, swimming pool, squash court and 49 rooms. It can seat 180 theatre-style, or up to 100 people for a sit-down dinner.
The club aims to be seen as a key venue for people in the travel industry to meet, network and host events and is being used during World Travel Market by members of the international travel industry, according to managing director Nutley.
Patrons for the club include incoming United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) secretary-general Taleb Rifai, former shadow minister for Sport and Tourism, Lord Pendry, World Travel and Tourism Council president Jean-Claude Baumgarten, and Pacific Asia Travel Association president Greg Duffell.
“The key will be when you walk in and there are people you know from the travel industry in there. It will take time as we have to build membership up but I would hope to have at least 500 members by this time next year. The best way it will grow is through recommendations,” said Nutley.
Currently just over half of members are from the international travel industry from 20 different countries.
There is a joining fee of £250 and three levels of membership; £895 a year for those living or working within 50 miles of the club; £645 for people living or working beyond 50 miles away; and £250 for overseas members.
The club, details of which can be found at www.theclub.travel, has an open bar from 6pm-9pm tonight (Tues) and Wednesday for people to visit the club. It also plans to host monthly social events and talks to boost its profile. The TWgroup is an affiliate partner.