AS more and more travellers are looking to boost their health and wellness, more and more Spas are opening doors offering travellers remarkable growth in the wealth of choice, while expanding into new markets like China and South America.
ILTM Spa, in association with Tatler Spa Guide, was launched last year for the innovators of spa and wellness travel and will coincide this year with the annual Tatler Spa Awards. The three day event will take place on September 30– October 2, 2013 at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower, Knightsbridge in London.
Alison Gilmore, exhibition director for ILTM Portfolio said, “Like all ILTM events, there is a strict criterion where exhibitors are required to complete a registration profile so we can determine whether your products and services are suitable for ILTM. As we do with our VIP Buyers, the ILTM Team will review each registration against strict qualification criteria to determine your luxury travel credentials.”
“ILTM Spa is dedicated to innovators of spa and wellness travel across the globe, including destination spas and leaders in the medical tourism sector. With the value of this powerful and growing sector now estimated at £39 billion ($60 billion), up to 70 of its most important brands will be taking part in this year’s ILTM Spa including COMO hotels, Chiva Som, The Chateau Spa & Organic Wellness Resort in Malaysia, Rocco Forte’s Verdura Golf and Spa Resort in Italy and Spain’s Gran Hotel Bahia Del Duque Resort,” she added.
ILTM Spa is designed to provide buyers and suppliers with the opportunity to do business together whilst also attending education and networking events. The event will host a conference on the afternoon of the opening day, which will focus on the latest spa and wellness issues and medical tourism trends highlighted by some of the world’s experts in all things spa. The following two days will comprise pre-selected and pre-scheduled appointments between exhibitors and buyers.
At this year’s event up to 70 VIP Hosted Buyers representing the senior decision makers from specialist tour operators and individual planners of bespoke spa and travel itineraries have been pre-qualified and invited to meet with up to 70 spas.
Speaking about trends, Gilmore said, “Whilst the Far East and India remain popular as spa destinations, there is a trend emerging within North and South America – spas in spectacular mountain ranges and ranches, such as Canyon Ranch and The Ranch at Live Oak Malibu. Although they offer spa treatments, they also offer activities such as canoeing on a lake, hiking or biking through desert canyons or pine-topped mountains.”