The International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) has reinforced its position as the most exclusive luxury international travel trade show with the announcement that exhibitor numbers have been controlled, despite a considerable increase in applicants.
The number of actual exhibitors has only increased by 12 per cent on last year in order to deliberately increase exclusivity for all those attending.
The much-awaited show, which launched in 2002, will be held in Cannes from December 5 to 8, 2005, at Palais des Festivals. It is the only global trade event dedicated to both luxury travel trade buyers and suppliers and has proved an invaluable forum for specialists to discuss opportunities exclusively with the luxury travel sector.
A wealth of high-profile tourism businesses within the luxury travel arena exhibit at the event, making ILTM a glamour event to match the prestige of the luxury travel industry. Products on display will cover every aspect of the industry, including space travel, Antarctic and sub-aqua travel, in addition to the most luxurious hotel, safari, cruise, train, and aviation products.
According to the organisers, it is not unusual for seven-figure deals to be completed at this event when one remember that ILTM buyers represent some of the wealthiest people and companies in the world including royalty and government, and the cream of the film, music and sports business. Indeed, this is a market that is status- and product-driven and is very resilient to economic and social instability.
After all, luxury travel is an industry in its own right. A lucrative industry representing the elite three per cent of travellers who account for 20 per cent of total annual travel expenditure – and who are immune to economic slowdown.
It is not surprising then that ILTM is – and wishes to remain, even if it loses some clients – the world’s most expensive travel market. Nearly 25,000 business meetings are pre-organised between international delegates via a revolutionary online IT system. At a strategic level, the organisers work in close co-operation with the largest and most prestigious organisations in luxury tourism. Potential attendees are carefully targeted and wooed, then the show’s organisers play matchmaker between the invited and the upscale industry suppliers they've lined up. Attendees are given a rigid schedule of appointments with suppliers they’ve indicated they want to see – and with suppliers who want to see them.
Delegates can make appointments from a huge selection of exhibitors ranging from hoteliers, cruise lines, tourism boards and tour operators. New exhibitors for this year include, Sun International, Aman Resorts, Cox & Kings and Kempinski Hotels & Resorts.
At ILTM 2005, exhibitors and visitors can enjoy three new innovations: the introduction of Quintessentially’s concierge service, the ILTM Signatory Club and ILTM Golf Cup.
Quintessentially, the world’s leading private members club and concierge service, offers special services for delegates including hotel bookings for early arrivals or late departures, restaurant recommendations and bookings, sourcing appropriate clubs and nightlife for post-conference entertaining, shopping recommendations, a business centre and also a programme of activities for accompanying spouses.
On the other hand, the ILTM Signatory Club, an exclusive self-governed new club, offers exclusive membership to exhibitors and delegates only. Members will enjoy the following benefits – access to detailed research on luxury travel trends for their own marketing purposes, invites to high-profile ILTM coordinated global events throughout the year and the option to use the ILTM logo on promotional and marketing collateral
As for the The ILTM Golf Cup, it will be held at the prestigious 18-hole championship golf course at the Four Seasons Provence at Terre Blanche. New for this year, it will provide an exciting networking opportunity for exhibitors and VIP buyers. It is only open to those making their own flight arrangements to ILTM and all participants must have a handicap of 35. The tournament takes place on December 4 and costs 107 euros.