Now in its eighth year, ILTM 2009, has once again, assembled the world’s definitive collection of luxury travel experiences, showcasing a variety of the most prestigious luxury travel products and services to more than 1,200 of the most discerning international luxury travel planners and buyers.
From the most sought-after destinations, to ultra-luxurious accommodation, the ultimate in hospitality, and elite transportation, a focus on exceptional quality and personal service as well as life enriching travel and adventure experiences will help inspire the experts and planners of luxury travel itinerary design.
Exhibiting at ILTM for the first time is Turkey’s Mardan Palace Hotel which opened this year as “the most luxurious resort in the Mediterranean and Europe’s most expensive hotel”, new destinations include Comité Territorial du Tourism de Saint-Barthélemy, Jamaica Tourist Board, Dominican Republic, Cotelco Caragna de Indias (Columbia) and Leading Companies Ltd, Finest Lagoon Resort (St Barts). Other new products include Royale Indian Rail Tours, Soho House Group, Domaine de Luxe, Ayana Resort & Spa and Tiara Hotels and Resorts.
Acting as a barometer for the luxury travel market, the industry’s optimism is highlighted by the number of exhibitors who have increased their stand space over 2008. These include Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Six Senses Resorts and Spa, Qatar Tourism and Exhibition Authority, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Kempinksi, Hilton Prestige Portfolio, ENIT Italian National Tourist Board, EMRBATUR (Brazil), ITC Ltd (India) and Concorde Hotels and Resorts.
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A forum at ILTM 2008 |
The importance of ILTM to the industry’s business calendar is confirmed by the event’s platinum partner – The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd.
Claudia Roth, vice president, Europe, Middle East and Africa said: “ILTM is the most important and the most effective B2B event in the luxury travel industry.
“By hosting the largest single stand at the fair, The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. provides our members with a prominent platform where they can meet and develop relationships with key decision makers.
“In this challenging economic climate, it is crucial that our organisation does all it can to help our hotels maximise their global marketing efforts.”
Debbie Joslin, group exhibitions director for Reed Travel Exhibition’s luxury travel portfolio of events, added: “There is so much that is new this year, some fantastic products that really do offer our personally invited 1,200 VIP buyers a whole world of choice. We have already witnessed a huge increase in buyer applications and with 45,000 pre-scheduled appointments organised last year, we expect ILTM to deliver an up beat end for the industry in 2009.”