Pictured: View from St Peter’s Square, Manchester. Credit: Marketing Manchester
Travel trade association UKinbound will hold its annual convention at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester on September 16-17.
The in-person event will focus on supporting the industry’s recovery and will include industry debates, a keynote speaker address, B2B workshops and a themed networking evening.
Buyers will be able meet local suppliers from Manchester’s tourism sector.
A virtual component has been added to the 2021 agenda and will be a feature of all future annual conventions.
On September 24, delegates will be invited to attend a day-long virtual B2B workshop and provided with access to new on-demand webinars.
For the first time, the association will open its convention to members and non-members to help support the sector’s recovery.
The association is also working with Marketing Manchester to offer delegates familiarisation trips to experience the city and the region.
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Joss Croft, chief executive of UKinbound, said: “International tourism is vitally important to the UK economy and will play an essential role in the revival of the UK’s great cities such as Manchester.
“Our convention will provide delegates with an array of commercial and networking opportunities that will help aid their recovery in 2022 and beyond.
“2022 will be an exciting year for the country as we host Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee, the Commonwealth Games and Festival UK 2022. Our Annual Convention will ensure that businesses across the UK’s inbound travel trade industry are in a strong position to make these events a success.”
Sheona Southern, managing director at Marketing Manchester, said: “The convention will come at a crucial time for the UK tourism sector, as it accelerates efforts to recover and rebuild from the impact of coronavirus over the coming years.
“It is particularly important that we take the opportunity to use the event as a springboard to increase future demand in visitation to the region from international markets, and we plan to pull out all the stops to impress by showcasing the very best of our accommodation, attractions, hospitality and brand-new product.”