ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) – the ‘invitation-only’ event where future luxury travel experiences are created and launched – facilitated almost 50,000 individual meetings between the industry’s elite when it took place this week in Cannes.
More than 1250 high-end travel suppliers were introduced to more than 1250 VIP buyers during what was the 10th anniversary edition of the show.
Marketing manager Simon Mayle said: “Luxury travel is an industry based on relationships.
“ILTM is about bringing together the world’s leading purveyors of luxury travel with the best collection of unique luxury travel suppliers to create new relationships and rekindle old ones.
“Like all of our clients, we aim to exceed all expectations and we are delighted our 10th anniversary edition has been such a success.”
Quotes from this years attendees.
“ILTM gets better every year – it is the most important travel show for my business, helping us to plan everything that we do for the following year.”
Teresa Perez of Brazil’s Teresa Perez tours.
“ILTM goes from strength to strength. 2011 has been the best yet. It remains one of the most well organised and relevant trade shows for the luxury travel industry.”
Mike Bonner, General Manager UK, Ireland & Middle East at Silversea Cruises.
“ILTM has reminded me of why I am so passionate about being surrounded by luxury professionals from around the globe. The detailed planning has made my first ILTM an epic experience and we are particularly delighted with the incredible demand from emerging markets.”
Michael Morejon, Vice-President Business Development at Sentient Jet
“Judging by our fantastic meetings, we foresee excellent results from our first ILTM experience. The pre-scheduled meetings are so very well organised and planned and we were blown away by the opening night forum and inspirational speakers.”
Carolina Ortiz, Marketing Director of Columbia’s Hotel Charleston
“I am so, so, so happy – I would never have met such important new buyers and such influential journalists if I had not attended ILTM 2011 – it is by far the best decision I have made this year – a rocket to the top of the top of luxury.”
Riad Kneife of Riad Kneife Vintage and Design shopping services in France.
“As a first time buyer in Cannes, ILTM is a real one-stop shop – a great opportunity to meet new suppliers and new faces at existing suppliers. ILTM is all about the end product and it really doesn’t get more luxurious than this.”
Sanjeev Aery of India’s Eternity Travel American Express
“There is huge potential from the Chinese market; my clients increasingly want to visit small and unique destinations so ILTM is vital for my planning. Our key targets are small luxury hotels and transport in global destinations and I’ve found them all here.”
Kitch Cheung Kit Yeung of Beijing’s Hua Yang International Business Travel Co. Ltd.