The leading, invitation-only hub for the global luxury travel industry, ILTM 2013, facilitated over 57,000 individual business meetings between the industry’s elite when it took place in Cannes from 2 to 5 December 2013. Welcoming just over 1,450 buyers from 73 countries, 34 per cent of whom had never attended ILTM before, the 2013 edition was once again a must-attend event for the rising stars of the luxury travel industry, making an impact across the world. “This is the most effective luxury travel event I have attended. Not only am I meeting with the very top tier of the industry, to be involved with the Bright Young Things feature was a highlight and a real inspiration,” said first time buyer to ILTM, Ashley Lancer of Valerie Wilson Travel.
Another first-time private travel consultant attending this year’s event, Riya Thanissorm of Truant Travel Design in Australia, added: “ILTM has been an amazing opportunity to meet with unique individual experiences as well as discovering new facets at both big name brands and independent properties. I have entered a world of passion and creativity in private travel design and I would love to be invited back, and to attend ILTM Asia too.”
“This is the pinnacle of luxury travel. Only at ILTM do you meet the movers and the shakers and ultimately those who are shaping the experiences that allow us to design amazing luxury travel journeys for our high-net-worth customers,” commented Ian McKinnon of Abercrombie and Kent.
Anja Fischer of Germany’s Siglinde Fischer – Charming Places said: “The detail of ILTM is what defines this superb event. I have attended since the very first show – the depth of conversations with the many participants is how we are able to create such unique experiences for our clients.”
Philippe Brovelli, Regional Vice President of Operations French Polynesia, The Brando commented: “I have heard a lot about ILTM and the organisation has been second to none. I was also impressed with not only the buyers we met and business we have clearly generated, but it was a unique opportunity to introduce The Brando to top luxury travel journalists from around the world.”
Alain Briere, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Oetker Collection enthused: “The excellence of ILTM continues: Here in Cannes, we have once again been able to maximise the opportunities to meet with both new and established agents and the best of the world’s luxury travel media – and these are in addition to the incredible business appointments.”
Valentina De Santis of Grand Hotel Tremezzo added: “ILTM is the greatest show: it’s the place to network, to meet incredible buyers and also understand how the industry is developing – it is the best of luxury travel agendas for all.”
Joyce McElroy of Tourism Ireland said: “The appointments at ILTM have been excellent and extremely well-matched – it has been a huge success.”
And Riad Kneife of Paris’ Vintage & Design Shopping Services summed up his experience at his third consecutive ILTM: “Just by participating in ILTM for the last 2 years, I have increased my business by 200%, identifying higher and higher-end agents each time I attend. ILTM never fails to amaze and impress me.”
“ILTM guests are the best of luxury travel today. We are delighted to have once again facilitated so many successful business opportunities for both the new and the established generations of elite travel at ILTM 2013,” concluded Alison Gilmore, ILTM’s Senior Exhibition Director.
ILTM 2014 takes place 1 to 4 December 2014 in Cannes. Other 2014 ILTM events are ILTM Japan in Kyoto, 17 to 19 March 2014; ILTM Africa in Cape Town, 28 to 30 April 2014; ILTM Asia in Shanghai, 2 to 5 June 2014; ILTM Americas in Mexico, 22 to 25 September 2014 and ILTM Spa in London, 29 September to 1 October 2014.