International Luxury Travel Market due to be held in Cannes has been postponed until 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions.
The event was due to take place on December 7-10 but is being replaced by virtual alternative.
ILTM is suffering the same fate as World Travel Market in London, which will be a virtual-only event in November.
A message on the event’s website said: “Over the past few months, we have been working hard to try to deliver ILTM Cannes in December but despite our best efforts to produce a physical event, sadly, we have had to make the difficult decision to postpone ILTM Cannes until 2021.
“We feel the weight of disappointment at not being able to meet in person, but nothing can ever override the safety of all our attendees.
“So, until we can meet again in person, and to make up for all the postponed ILTM’s this year, we have created a one-off digital event with a creative difference.”
Organisers say ILTM World Tour will compensate for the postponed ILTM events in 2020 “and provide an environment for international luxury travel brands and regional buyer communities to virtually meet to connect and build their businesses”.
ILTM portfolio director Alison Gilmore said: “Whilst we know that virtual events will never replace our love to meet and share stories in person, we know right now that what counts the most is getting business lined up for 2021.
“We cannot predict the timing of when growth will come back, but we can be ready for whenever it happens.”
The online alternative ILTM will take place across three consecutive days, over three consecutive weeks, reaching three source regions.
Asia Pacific will feature on November 17-19 followed by Europe, Middle East and Africa on November 23-25 and North and South America on December 1-3.
Gilmore added: “We have created this one-off event to design a truly global business opportunity for all our ILTM suppliers and buyers and planned it so that we respect all time zones.
“With a three-week time frame, everyone can create their own strategy and arrange meetings that will work for them.
“We know that the unprecedented events of 2020 have meant the luxury travel industry has had to adapt their business strategies.
“With target markets shifting as some borders remain closed, we want the objective of the ILTM World Tour to offer a global proposition to open up opportunities for all participants and be a time to bring people together, uniting through shared experiences and business, whilst we plan for our return.”