The Italian Government Tourism Board will be the headline partner of the second Global Travel Marketplace, an annual travel trade event which returns to London in September.
The Leonardo Royal London Hotel St Paul’s will host the B2B gathering from September 12-14.
Global Travel Marketplace, which connects worldwide suppliers with UK and international travel buyers, is run by Travel Weekly parent company Jacobs Media Group (JMG).
More than 100 suppliers will take part in the event, including several exhibitors representing the best of Italy’s market-leading products.
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Through a format of experiential one-to-one meetings, suppliers will meet more than 120 UK and international travel buyers to make new connections and business relationships.
Buyers include outbound tour operators, leisure travel agents, Mice [meetings, incentives, conference and events] agencies and medical tourism firms.
Previous experiences have included Danish liquorice tasting, Israeli dancing and Ukrainian language lessons.
Daniela Wagner, JMG group business development director, said: “We are delighted to be officially launching our second Global Travel Marketplace in London this year.
“We see this as a unique opportunity to bring together destinations from around the world, together with their private sector partners, to engage with pre-qualified buyers in one-to-one meetings.
“The key for us has been to offer a platform where destinations can showcase their unique attractions through experiences offered during the event.
“This also creates a truly engaging environment for suppliers and buyers.
“We have invited key partners from around the world to join us in this adventure.”
Global Travel Marketplace will open with a drinks reception on September 12, followed by events such as networking lunches, evening socials and a rooftop closing reception.
Partners include Nordic Tourism Collective, New Deal Europe, B2B Encounters Medical Tourism, International Gay and Lesbian Tourism Association and Student Youth Travel Association.
For more information and to register as a buyer or supplier, visit the Global Travel Marketplace website.
Pictured: Last year’s Global Travel Marketplace at the Leonardo Hotel in London.