Connections Luxury Europe hosts 200 travel professionals in Barcelona

Connections Luxury Europe hosted 200 senior luxury travel professionals in Barcelona earlier this week for three days of meetings, destination-led experiences and networking.

 

There were 40 nationalities represented at the event (April 12-15) and more than 2,500 pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings between leading luxury travel advisors, global luxury brands and destination partners.

 

The main programme was hosted at Teatre Nacional de Catalunya (pictured), with evening experiences in a range of upmarket venues, including Fiskebar by Grupo Tragaluz, Monument Hotel and Hotel Miramar Barcelona.

 

Events featured Catalan food and wine, workshops inspired by Antoni Gaudí’s ‘trencadís’ tile mosaic technique, and a personal shopping experience with El Corte Inglés.

 

More than 45 local companies and institutions contributed to the programme, reflecting strong collaboration across the city.

 

This year’s edition also coincided with Barcelona’s Gaudí Year, marking 100 years since the death of Gaudí. One of the highlights came at Casa Batlló, designed by Gaudí and where delegates were given a first look inside the newly restored apartment ahead of its public opening.  

 

More: Connections Luxury signs three-year partnership with Barcelona Turisme

 

Connections Luxury Europe forms part of a three-year partnership with Barcelona Turisme, with the city confirmed as host of the European edition through to 2028.

 

Connection Luxury is part of the portfolio of Travel Weekly owner Jacobs Media and has a global community with a combined buying power of $7.8 billion.

 

Greg Reeves, managing director at Connections Luxury, said: “Barcelona is an exceptional city for Connections Luxury Europe.

 

“It has the cultural richness, international appeal and sense of occasion that our audience values, but it also has the infrastructure and hospitality to support meaningful business at the highest level.

 

“What defines this event is not simply the quality of the meetings, but the way the whole experience is designed around them.

 

“When the right people are brought together in the right setting, with the right pace and the right access, stronger relationships are built.

 

“That is what Connections is designed to do, and Barcelona delivers it beautifully.”

 

Anna Marquès, strategic projects director at Barcelona Turisme, added: “We are proud to host Connections Luxury Europe in Barcelona as part of our ongoing partnership.

 

“The event brings together a highly influential international community and provides an exceptional platform to showcase Barcelona’s cultural, architectural and hospitality strengths to the global luxury travel market.

 

“The US remains one of Barcelona’s most important source markets, with 19% of buyers coming from the US.

 

“In the current context, where factors such as connectivity have become more challenging, we are placing particular emphasis on supporting this priority market.

 

“At the same time, we continue to strengthen nearby European markets, which account for 71% of buyers and are increasingly seen as a safe haven in today’s global landscape.

 

“Our strategy goes beyond traditional promotion. Alongside our presence at key trade fairs, we are focused on attracting influential events and platforms such as Connections Luxury, Virtuoso/Signature, the Financial Times and Monocle. This is an approach we will continue to develop and reinforce.”

 

Connections Luxury Europe will return to Barcelona on April 25-28, 2027.

 

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