In 2024, the landscape of the tourism sector is undergoing profound changes, driven by evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and a growing emphasis on sustainable and experiential travel. In the midst of this transformation, travel trade shows serve as key platforms for industry professionals to keep abreast of these developments, adapt their strategies accordingly, and ensure that their offerings remain appealing to today’s discerning travelers. But why should tour and activity providers take time out of their already busy schedules to attend these events? Here are the top reasons:
- Networking opportunities: One of the most valuable aspects of travel trade shows is the unparalleled networking opportunities they provide. These events serve as a global stage, attracting industry leaders, decision-makers and innovators from every corner of the globe. As a tour or activity provider, you can make connections with potential partners, clients and influencers that can open new avenues for business expansion and increased visibility.
- Learn about the latest trends: In an industry as dynamic as tourism, staying on top of the latest trends is critical to survival. Travel shows offer a comprehensive overview of emerging technologies, evolving customer preferences and innovative market strategies through expert-led seminars, panel discussions and exhibition booths. These insights are invaluable for tour and activity providers looking to refine their offerings and align them with current market demands.
- Collaboration and partnership: Beyond the networking and learning opportunities, travel shows are fertile ground for fostering partnerships. These events often facilitate connections between complementary businesses, leading to joint ventures, cross-promotions and collaborative initiatives that can significantly increase business results. For example, a local tour operator might find a technology provider that can offer an innovative booking solution, or an international travel agency that can help it reach a wider audience.
Now that you know why attending travel trade shows is so important, let’s take a look at the top events taking place in 2024.
BTM Italia 2024
Date: February 27 – 29, 2024
Location: Bari, Italy
Official website: https://www.btmitalia.it/
Number of exhibitors: Over 250 exhibitors
Number of attendees: More than 27.000 visitors expected, based on past editions
Key highlights:
- Expanded exhibition area and innovative format: For its tenth anniversary, BTM Italia 2024 will feature an expanded floor space, doubling in size to accommodate a wider range of exhibitors and visitors. This expansion underlines the growth of the fair and its role as a key event for tourism professionals in Southern Italy and beyond.
- Diverse thematic areas: The event is structured around seven main thematic areas, including B2B Business Meeting, Incoming Workshop, B2C Travel Trade – Outgoing, BTM Gusto (food and wine tourism), BTM SAY YES (destination wedding), BTM SPORTnACTION (sports and adventure tourism) and BTM Start Innovation (innovation, digitalisation and start-ups).
- Launch of the “Outgoing” segment: As mentioned above, BTM Italia 2024 will reintroduce the “Outgoing” segment, a platform for international tourism companies to connect with the Italian market.
Arival 360 Berlin 2024
Date: March 2 – 4, 2024
Location: Berlin, Germany
Official website: https://arival.travel/event/2024-berlin/
Number of exhibitors: Not known
Number of attendees: Over 700 expected
Key highlights:
- Outlook for the experiences economy: Arival 360 will provide in-depth insights into traveller trends and booking patterns, anticipating the future of tours, activities and attractions across Europe. There will be a focus on the US leisure market, highlighting its importance for European destinations and operators.
- The future of technology and AI in travel experiences: Arival 360 will look at the integration of generative AI in the travel experience sector, discussing its practical applications and the balance between technology and the human element of travel. Experts from Autoura and Magpie Travel, among others, will share their insights on the use of AI to enhance travel experiences.
- Innovation showcase: A new addition to the Arival line-up, the Innovation Showcase will explore the latest technological and business innovations relevant to the in-destination experience industry.
ITB Berlin 2024
Date: March 5 – 7, 2024
Location: Berlin, Germany
Official website: https://www.itb.com/
Number of exhibitors: Approximately 10.000
Number of attendees: Around 180.000 visitors expected
Key highlights:
- Global networking opportunities: ITB Berlin 2024 will continue to be the premier gathering spot for the travel industry, offering unparalleled networking opportunities. Attendees can expect to meet a wide range of industry professionals, from tour operators to travel bloggers, enhancing potential business collaborations and partnerships.
- Innovative travel technologies: The event is renowned for showcasing the latest in travel technology, including booking systems, VR experiences and sustainable travel innovations. This is a unique opportunity for attendees to discover cutting-edge solutions that could revolutionise the way they work and interact with their customers.
- Educational sessions and workshops: The event will feature a series of seminars, workshops and keynote speeches delivered by industry leaders and experts. These sessions are designed to provide valuable learning experiences and cover topics ranging from digital marketing strategies to sustainability in tourism.
BMT Borsa Mediterranea del Turismo 2024
Date: March 14 – 16, 2024
Location: Naples, Italy
Official website: https://bmtnapoli.com/
Number of exhibitors: The event is expected to host 400 exhibitors
Number of attendees: The event is expected to attract around 6.000 accredited travel agencies, along with a significant number of industry professionals
Key highlights:
- International networking opportunities: BMT 2024 will host 140 national and international buyers, providing exhibitors and attendees with unparalleled opportunities to network with industry leaders and forge meaningful business relationships.
- Comprehensive representation of Italian tourism: The fair will showcase a wide array of tourism offerings from across Italy, including regions like Campania, Toscana, Emilia-Romagna, and more.
- Croatia as the country of honor: This edition will put Croatia in the spotlight with an institutional promotion led by the Croatian Minister of Tourism and the participation of numerous Croatian tour operators. This special feature will offer a deeper insight into the Croatian tourism offering, promoting intercultural cooperation and knowledge exchange.
Rendez-vous en France 2024
Date: March 26 – 27, 2024
Location: Toulouse, France
Official website: https://rendezvousenfrance.pro/
Number of exhibitors: Not known
Number of attendees: Rendez-vous en France is expected to attract close to 750 industry professionals from 55 countries, alongside numerous professionals from French destinations
Key highlights:
- Leading international trade show: Rendez-vous en France is the premier international trade show dedicated to French tourism, offering a unique platform for strengthening contacts between tour operators, international travel agents, and French tourism professionals.
- Networking and business opportunities: With nearly 750 industry professionals from 55 countries, along with an equal number of French tourism professionals, the trade show serves as an excellent opportunity for networking, discovering new suppliers, and promoting tourism businesses on an international scale.
- Focus on sustainable and inclusive innovations: Reflecting the industry’s move towards sustainability, the event will spotlight territories and sectors that are pioneering sustainable and inclusive innovations, meeting the evolving expectations of international customers ahead of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
DSTNCMP 2024
Date: May 21 – 24, 2024
Location: Bregenz, Austria
Official website: https://www.destinationcamp.com/
Number of exhibitors: Not known
Number of attendees: Not known
Key highlights:
- Leading industry event: Recognised as the premier gathering of the German-speaking tourism industry, it provides a unique platform for leaders and ambitious professionals.
- Comprehensive format: A mix of conferences, roundtables and workshops that allows for honest, open and controversial discourse across all tourism segments.
- Innovative setting: The layout of the event, with sessions spread throughout the city and various immersive activities, promotes a unique “workation” experience and encourages a deeper exploration of the host city and its surroundings.
IFTM 2024
Date: September 17 – 19, 2024
Location: Paris, France
Official website: https://www.iftm.fr/
Number of exhibitors: Not known
Number of attendees: More than 29,000 tourism professionals expected
Key highlights:
- Competitive events: The inclusion of competitions such as “The Travel Agents Cup” and “The Travel Agents Cup Junior” adds a competitive edge to the show, spotlighting the talents of current and future tourism professionals and giving them the recognition they deserve.
- Educational and entertainment programs: The show is complemented by a rich program of workshops, conferences and evening events, ensuring that attendees have access to informative sessions as well as entertainment.
- Innovative solutions showcase: The Start-up Contest continues to be a highlight, bringing together the most promising newcomers to the travel industry. Participants will have the opportunity to present their innovative solutions to a panel of esteemed judges, fostering innovation within the industry.
IAAPA Expo Europe 2024
Date: September 23 – 26, 2024
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Official website: https://www.iaapa.org/expos/iaapa-expo-europe
Number of exhibitors: Not known
Number of attendees: Not known
Key highlights:
- Broad industry representation: The expo will feature a diverse range of segments, including amusement and theme parks, water parks, family entertainment centers, zoos, aquariums, museums and more. This broad representation provides attendees with a comprehensive overview of the latest trends and innovations across the entire spectrum of the leisure industry.
- Educational sessions: The show features educational sessions led by industry experts, designed to provide valuable learning opportunities on a variety of topics.
- Global reach: IAAPA Expo Europe is part of a global series of trade shows organized by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). This global perspective ensures that attendees have access to a wide range of insights and best.
TTG Travel Experience 2024
Date: October 9 – 11, 2024
Location: Rimini, Italy
Official website: https://www.ttgexpo.it/
Number of exhibitors: 2.700
Number of attendees: 67.000 attendees last year, with a 19% increase over 2022.
Key highlights:
- International B2B networking opportunities: As Italy’s leading B2B exhibition for the tourism industry, TTG Travel Experience offers unparalleled networking and business development opportunities for tourism professionals from around the world.
- Diverse exhibition: With 2,700 participating companies, attendees can explore a wide range of offerings from across the tourism industry, including destinations, technologies, hospitality and more.
- Global buyer participation: The event’s ability to attract 1,000 buyers from 62 countries underscores its global appeal and effectiveness as a marketplace for fostering international business relationships.
Rencontres eTourisme 2024
Date: October 15 – 17, 2024
Location: Pau, France
Official website: https://www.rencontres-etourisme.fr/
Number of exhibitors: 40
Number of attendees: 850
Key highlights:
- Innovative sessions on digital trends: Rencontres eTourisme is known for its focus on digital technologies in the tourism industry, providing attendees with insights into the latest trends.
- A wide variety of workshop topics: From the basics of Web3 and Blockchain to the practical applications of AI in daily operations, the show promises a rich program. The workshops are designed to address current industry challenges and opportunities, such as creating engaging communication strategies and enhancing the appeal of tourist attractions through ancillary services.
- Startup showcase: The fair will host sessions dedicated to startups, allowing emerging companies to share their experiences and achievements.
World Travel Market (WTM) London 2024
Date: November 5 – 7, 2024
Location: London, United Kingdom
Official website: https://www.wtm.com/london/en-gb.html
Number of exhibitors: Not known
Number of attendees: Over 51,000 attendees expected
Key highlights
- Product launches and demos: Exhibitors at WTM London will have the opportunity to showcase new products, services and technologies designed to improve the lives of both suppliers and end users. Attendees will be able to see first-hand the latest advances in travel technology, including booking systems, virtual reality experiences and customer relationship management tools.
- Focus on sustainable and responsible travel: Sustainability and responsible tourism are key themes at WTM London, reflecting the industry’s growing commitment to preserving the environment. The event will highlight sustainable travel initiatives, eco-friendly accommodation options and community-based tourism projects. It will also provide a platform for discussion on how the travel industry can contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
- Global Village and Regional Pavilions: The exhibition space is thoughtfully organized into a Global Village and several Regional Pavilions, each representing different parts of the world. This layout allows attendees to explore a wide range of destinations, cultures and travel products all in one place.
IBTM World 2024
Date: November 19 – 21, 2024
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Official website: https://www.ibtmworld.com/en-gb.html
Number of exhibitors: 2.500
Number of attendees: 12.000
Key highlights:
- Global networking opportunities: IBTM World 2024 provides a platform to connect with over 12,000 professionals from across the MICE industry.
- Hosted buyer program: The Hosted Buyer Program is a unique feature of IBTM World, designed to connect top-level decision makers with exhibitors through pre-scheduled appointments. It ensures that both buyers and exhibitors make the most of their time at the show, fostering productive business relationships.
- Innovative event technology: Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the latest in event technology, from cutting-edge software solutions to the most advanced digital engagement tools.
Conclusion
As we discussed in the introduction, attending travel trade shows is indeed critical for those ambitious tour and activity providers seeking long-term growth. These events offer invaluable networking, learning and partnership opportunities that can have a significant impact on the success of your business.
Speaking of which, Regiondo provides a robust platform that can help you turn the insights gained from travel expos into tangible results. By streamlining the booking process, improving the customer experience and better managing multiple distribution channels, you will be able to optimize your processes and generate record levels of revenue.
To learn more about Regiondo, Europe’s leading booking solution for tour and activity providers, don’t hesitate to book a free demo with one of our consultants.
