The world of travel moved ahead rapidly in 2017. To keep up, the travel industry was also constantly on the move, with mobile dominating the purchasing behaviour of today’s connected traveller. A host of events and conferences helped the industry stay up to speed with the latest developments and hear from industry leaders on how best to deal with these changes.
The new year is expected to be no different. So, whether you are a small business owner, a travel blogger, a marketing team, or anyone else in the travel industry, events and conferences like these will give you the opportunity to learn from, and network with the best in the domain.
Image source: SEE Business Travel Magazine
We’ve pulled together a list of the very best travel and tourism conferences throughout 2018 to help you plan your year.
EU-China Tourism Year 2018, Venice (19 January):
The EU-China Tourism Year 2018, with its focus on the EU-China cooperation, will launch in Venice in January 2018 with an Institutional Event and Business Summit.
Travel Technology Track, Mumbai (18-20 January):
An initiative by OTM & TravHQ, this event will celebrate the growth of travel-tech industry in India. The knowledge platform at OTM Mumbai will showcase innovative travel solutions, panel discussions with industry thought-leaders and digital skill development workshops for travel trade industry.
ACE of M.I.C.E. Exhibition by Turkish Airlines 2018, Istanbul (21-23 February):
Recognized as Turkey’s most extensive B2B event, it aims to increase the perception and awareness of Turkey MICE sector globally. The exhibition’s professional hosted buyer program helps gain new clients and markets and the network and “AMEzing” parties within the exhibition aims to provide togetherness and motivation within the sector.
Guangzhou International Travel Fair, Guangzhou (1-3 March):This travel fair represents one of the most important international exhibition for Souvenirs, Tourism, Travel, Travel Organizer from across the world.
ITB, Berlin (7-11 March):
ITB Berlin is the world’s largest tourism trade fair. It has a busy programme of digital marketing, & social media events including expert industry and influencer panels and presentations.
Routes Asia, Brisbane (18-20 March):
Routes Asia provides the most efficient platform to meet and negotiate with senior decision makers from Asia’s route development community. Over the course of three concentrated business days, more than 2,000 meetings will take place between the region’s leading and fastest-growing aviation organisations.
Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition, Shanghai (17-19 April):
Thousands of top business aviation leaders, entrepreneurs, and other purchase decision-makers will come together for this exhibition. This is the perfect venue for investors considering aviation as a business opportunity; companies thinking of using an aircraft for business; and flight departments who have long used aircraft as a valuable business tool.
IBTM Africa, Cape Town (19-20 April):
This event is where meetings, events and incentives industry decision makers meet for business adventures across Africa.
International Conference on Marketing, Tourism & Hospitality, Zurich (13-15 July):
As the name suggests, the international conference aims to host industry leaders across the globe on panels and discussions over social media and marketing in the tourism and hospitality sector.
ILTM Asia Pacific, Singapore (21-24 May):
This invitation-only, global event is where the suppliers of the world’s best luxury travel experiences get to meet the buyers representing the Asia Pacific region.
World Travel Market, London (5-7 November):
This is the leading global event for the travel industry to meet industry professionals and conduct business deals. Through its industry networks, unrivaled global reach, WTM London creates great opportunities.
Which ones do you plan to attend? Let us know if we’ve missed out on any event.
