THIS year’s edition of Premium Travel welcomed over 130 luxury brands from global groups to independent units and visitors from the UK, Europe, the Middle East, China, India, Russia and the USA.
Organised by Haymarket Exhibitions Ltd, in partnership with Ultratravel, Premium Travel 2006 saw an intense two days of pre-scheduled business meetings, welcoming the key influencers and buyers from around the world.
Says Duncan Hilleary, chief executive, Auctionair, “We saved about three months of time in travel, research and meeting suppliers [by attending Premium Travel]. We sourced an entire new range of products for Auctionair’s second season in 2006 and 2007.”
Research conducted on the show’s website revealed that 51 per cent of attending buyers handled travel budgets in excess of £1 million ($1.85 million) and 17 per cent looked after budgets in excess of £500,000. 54 per cent of them also said that the amount of luxury travel products placed exceeded 60 per cent of their total business.
Says Helen Arnold, event presenter for Haymarket, “The discerning customer who is looking for something special whether on business or leisure knows that the industry is now providing a more extensive portfolio of luxury products. Premium Travel is now the event, which showcases these. Next year, we know that our exhibitors will continue to expand so that our buyers will find the very best products the world has to offer.”
Premium Travel 2007 will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on May 15 and 16.