Jacobs Media Group hosted more than 40 travel trade representatives on Tootbus’ Bar Bus at the Global Travel Marketplace premiere event in central London.
Less than 100 days before the travel trade community comes together for the three-day event at the Royal Leonardo Hotel St Pauls, delegates including travel agents, tour operators, tourist boards and partners networked as they were driven through the streets of London on Wednesday night (July 6).
Representatives from Tui Tours, Oliver’s Travels, Matrix Concierge, This is Goho, and Sunvil Holidays were all on the open-top bus supplied by bus tour operator Tootbus.
Event partners including New Deal Europe and Nordic Tourism Collective also attended the premiere event as they will have their own dedicated pavilions at Global Travel Marketplace, which takes place between September 27-29, showcasing the Balkan countries and the Nordics.
Members of Finn Partners, Caribbean Tourism Organisation, Atout France, Catalan Tourism Board and Association of Touring and Adventure Suppliers (Atas) also joined the excursion.
The journey began outside Jacobs Media Group’s offices in Victoria before embarking along the Embankment, past the Houses of Parliament, and returning to its starting point two hours later.
Gavin Brooking, UK managing director for Tootbus, said: “Tootbus is delighted to be partnering with Jacobs Media Group across a number of events – including Global Travel Marketplace.
Suppliers and agents mingle on the top deck of Tootbus’ Bar Bus in central London
“Last night’s launch of Global Travel Marketplace on our Bar Bus was a massive success. We look forward to continuing making happy memories and experiences from the top deck of our planet-friendly and electrical open top buses.”
“It is great to be supporting various activities with Jacobs Media Group throughout the year.”
Alice Fonseca, product manager at Visit Portugal, who joined attendees on the bus, explained how she saw Global Travel Marketplace as an ideal opportunity to promote Portugal as “a diverse destination”.
“The British know Portugal for its sun and sea holidays, but we have a lot more to promote to travel agents,” said Fonseca.
She added the tourism board wanted to engage with travel agents and tour operators as it promoted different sides of Portugal.
“We have amazing trails, surfing, heritage and culture as well, plus 17 Unesco heritage sites, which many people do not know about,” she said, adding: “We want more tour operators to programme Portugal into their offering.”
She outlined how the country had seen a lot of hotel openings recently in Lisbon and the Algarve.
“We want to tell everyone about what we have done, change perceptions and educate agents,” she said.
John Coles, managing director of Kew Bridge Travel, explained how networking events such as Global Travel Marketplace were crucial to agents and tour operators alike.
“There’s no better way to learn about a country than to talk to someone from that country,” he said. “I was at Lata Expo 2022 recently and there I learnt about Guatemala. I also learnt about Peru and Argentina – places that I did not know very well and have never thought about.”
Looking ahead to Global Travel Marketplace, he said: “The event is interesting because it brings together the whole world.”
Darrin des Vignes, UK country director at Experience Hub, which represents Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, said: “Global Travel Marketplace is an opportunity to engage with trade partners and we’re able to promote our packages as well create awareness with the trade.
“The event is like a one-stop shop.”