Global Travel Marketplace 2023 has been hailed as a success by organisers, who celebrated a 50% increase in the number of meetings compared to last year’s event.
The London event, which took place from Tuesday, September 12 until Thursday, September 14, brought together more than 70 suppliers from around the world and more than 100 buyers.
They took part in 30-minute one-to-one meetings incorporating an “experience” to make the interaction more memorable.
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David Benitez, head of events development at Travel Weekly parent Jacobs Media Group, described the occasion as “fantastic” and said feedback had been positive.
Outlining the event’s approach, he said: “We want people to have a shared emotion through an experience, so they can remember each other and it will be easier for them to do business together.”
The number of delegates was greater than last year, said Benitez, with the total buying power rising to £51.4m. Last year’s figure was £36m.
In addition to the scheduled meetings at the Leonardo Royal Hotel St Paul’s, delegates had a chance to hear panel discussions on sustainability.
This year also featured workshops on topics including data and artificial intelligence, empowering women in the workplace and “elevating” a travel brand.
Benitez said Global Travel Marketplace stands out from other business-to-business trade events because of the memorable experiences it offers. This year’s selection included trips in a Rolls-Royce, a tour of St Paul’s Cathedral and a food-tasting game.
Benitez said he had enjoyed gathering feedback from delegates, with work already underway to make sure next year’s event is further tailored to their needs.
“We’re never going to conform,” said Benitez. “We’re going to keep on improving and innovating year on year.”
A carbon offsetting plan launched in conjunction with Trees4Travel will see hundreds of trees planted once a calculation has been made of the emissions produced to hold this year’s event. The emissions total will take into account categories including travel and food.
On the offsetting project, Benitez said: “This is pretty special. There is no other UK travel trade show doing this. We want to be portrayed as an event that is not only talking about sustainability, but taking steps.”
This headline sponsor this year was the Italian National Tourist Board.
Photo: David Benitez at Global Travel Marketplace 2023