READ ON FOR 43 UNMISSABLE TRAVEL CONFERENCES AND EVENTS
We are fortunate to have a huge variety of conferences and events on offer in the travel industry to stay up to speed with the latest developments and hear from industry leaders on how best to deal with the constant changes that affect us.
Whether you are a small business owner, journalist, in-house travel marketing team, blogger, industry professional or anyone else in travel, these events give you the opportunity to learn, network and improve on all fronts whatever your position.
We’ve pulled together a list of the very best travel and tourism conferences and travel trade shows in 2021 and 2022 to help you plan your year ahead and hopefully get the opportunity to attend a few of them – let us know if we’ve missed any!
August
World Travel Market – Latin America
WHERE: Online
WHEN: 10th – 12th August 2021
The World Travel Market – Latin America is a B2B event in Sao Paulo that showcases Latin America to the world. Over three days, Latin American is sold to visitors as a top travel destination, with speakers, brands and travel businesses all there to provide more information on this colourful part of the world. It’s taking place online this year and is one of the best travel conferences being held this summer.
Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conference
Book Passage is a bookshop chain in California that host an annual conference in their store in Corte Madera for travel writers, publishers, magazine editors and photographers all to gather and take part in workshops and discussions. Their 2020 event was cancelled and rescheduled for 2021, with more information on exact dates and times available soon on their website.
September
IACuDiT
WHERE: Hydra Island – Greece
WHEN: 1st – 3rd September 2021
The IACuDiT was developed as an event in which constructive, critical and interdisciplinary conversations could be held about the challenges emerging in tourism from the digital transformation of the travel industry. This year’s theme is “Transcending Borders in Tourism Through Innovation and Cultural Heritage” and promises to be a very exciting event.
IGLTA
WHERE: Atlanta, Georgia – USA
WHEN: 8th – 11th September 2021
The International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association Global Convention is a networking event for LGBT tourism professionals. It’s the biggest LGBT+ travel industry of the year and consists of plenty of workshops as well as opportunities to meet other, similar professionals in the industry.
TTF – Surat
WHERE: Surat – India
WHEN: 10th – 12th September 2021
TTF is India’s biggest travel trade show network, held annually since 1989 and providing one of the best networking opportunities in the travel industry. The first day and a half are fully dedicated to B2B networking and then the remainder of the event is opened up for B2C exhibitors, customers and trade visitors.
Travel & Adventure Show – Dallas
WHERE: Dallas, Texas – USA
WHEN: 11th – 12th September 2021
The Dallas Travel and Adventure show connects travel enthusiasts with different exhibiting companies, along with providing plenty of opportunities to meet travel celebrities. The event is known as ‘America’s Favorite Travel Show’ and is a wonderful experience as well as a business networking opportunity.
ITT
WHERE: Southhampton – UK
WHEN: 11th – 14th September 2021
This year, the Institute of Travel and Tourism Conference is being held on a boat that will depart from Southhampton, UK and sail along the coast for the duration of the event. It invites attendees to learn more about travel and tourism and enjoy networking with like-minded people, as well as hosting plenty of talk from industry experts.
Travel Tech Show
WHERE: Online
WHEN: 14th – 15th September 2021
The Travel Tech Show, previously Travel Technology Europe, is the perfect place to see new products and innovations and to create new business relationships. It brings together global technology customers to help them find new technology solutions for their travel business, and this year is being held online because of the pandemic, which makes it accessible for all in the industry from the comfort of your home.
ILTM North America
WHERE: Riviera Maya – Mexico
WHEN: 20th – 23rd September 2021
International Luxury Travel Market Americas is where travel agents and advisors can find out about the best luxury experiences in the Americas region. Held on the coast with the stunning Caribbean Sea as the backdrop for the whole event, this conference is planned to take place in person, although other events have happened virtually so it is likely to go ahead this year in some form, even if restrictions change.
TTI Autumn Conference
WHERE: London – UK
WHEN: 23rd September 2021
The Travel Technology Initiative Autumn Conference offers the opportunity to learn about the best way to personalise your offering as a travel business, along with an insight into the latest travel and technology trends.
October
Vestnorden Travel Mart
WHERE: Reykjanes – Iceland
WHEN: 5th – 7th October 2021
Buyers and exhibitors can network at the Vestnorden Travel Mart and discuss products and services available in the West Nordic countries – Greenland, Iceland and the Faroe Islands. The event was held online in 2021 but is scheduled to take place in person on the Reykjanes peninsula in October this year.
Destination Showcase
WHERE: Washington, D.C – USA
WHEN: 6th October 2021
This event is for planners to meet and expand their knowledge of the destinations and opportunities available to them.
TBEX North America
WHERE: Tri-Cities, Washington
WHEN: 12th – 14th October 2021
The Travel Blog Exchange is an opportunity for travel bloggers, creators and travel industry professionals, DMOS and brands to network and take part in a variety of workshops and discussions about the state of travel today. It’s a huge event that attracts big names in travel both in North America and internationally and is one of the USA’s top travel conferences.
TTG
WHERE: Rimini – Italy
WHEN: 13th – 15th October 2021
TTG is the main B2B tourism marketplace in Italy, with over 130 countries represented. This conference is the main gateway to the Italian travel market and attracts brands and businesses from all over the world, and is scheduled to take place in person this year in October.
SKIFT Global Forum
WHERE: New York City – USA, and Online
WHEN: 13th – 15th October 2021
SKIFT Global Forum is the flagship global conference on the business of travel, where industry leaders, speakers and executives come together to meet and share their ideas. In 2021 the event is being held both in-person and online, so you can attend even if you can’t make it to New York.
WYSTC
WHERE: Lisbon – Portugal, and Online
WHEN: 13th – 15th October 2021
The World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC) is the leading trade event for the global youth, student and educational travel industry. This year the conference will take place both in-person in Lisbon and online, making it accessible for everyone who is interested.
Web In Travel
WHERE: Singapore
WHEN: 18th – 20th October 2021
The Web in Travel annual conference helps industry professionals keep up with the rapidly changing world of hospitality and technology. The event is currently planned to take place in person in Singapore in October, with more information coming soon from the organisers.
ITB Asia
WHERE: Online
WHEN: 25th – 29th October 2021
Products and services from over 180 countries are showcased at ITB Asia; the world’s leading B2B travel trade show. This year the conference is taking place online, with the same impressive lineup of speakers and events that still allows for an excellent amount of business networking between talks.
ILTM China
WHERE: Shanghai – China
WHEN: October 2021
ILTM is a conference where luxury brands, travel planners and agencies from all over the world meet in Shanghai specifically for the Chinese outbound travel market. The event does not have specified dates yet, but is planned to take place in Shanghai this October and involve the usual meetings, talks and networking opportunities.
ILTM – Latin America
WHERE: São Paulo, Brazil
WHEN: 26th – 29th October 2021
Showcasing the best trends and experiences of Brazilian and Latin-American markets, ILTM Latin America is for the finest travel brands, advisors and media. The event is specifically for luxury travel brands and professionals, and is a great place to network.
November
World Travel Market – London
WHERE: London – United Kingdom, Online
WHEN: 1st – 3rd November 2021, 8th – 9th November 2021 (Online)
The World Travel Market conference is a B2B event in London that hosts 51,000 global travel trade professionals who are all looking to network, purchase new products, and find out about the latest trends. This year there is an in-person event planned as well as an online conference, so you can attend from anywhere no matter the travel restrictions in your country or in the UK at the time. It’s one of the top travel industry conferences in the country that is ideal for everyone in the industry, and is a brilliant event if you’re looking to find out more about how to help your business, brand or agency bounce back from the effects of the pandemic.
Travel & Adventure Show – Denver
WHERE: Denver, Colorado – USA
WHEN: 6th – 7th November 2021
The Travel & Adventure Show in Denver connects travel enthusiasts with different exhibiting companies, along with providing plenty of opportunities to meet travel celebrities. The event is known as ‘America’s Favorite Travel Show’ and is a wonderful experience as well as a business networking opportunity.
Phocuswright North America
WHERE: Phoenix, Arizona – USA
WHEN: 15th – 17th November 2021
The Phocuswright event is a glamorous Hollywood conference that provides you with the opportunity to engage with travel leaders and influencers and learn about the latest innovations. This year the event is focusing on how travel can be reimagined post-pandemic, so it’s an essential conference for any business looking to navigate the industry in 2021 and beyond.
GBTA – Denver
WHERE: Orlando, Florida – USA
WHEN: 17th – 19th November 2021
The Global Business Travel Association Conference allows corporate travel professionals to discover over 400 brands in the industry and listen to discussions and debates about current challenges faced by those working in business travel.
December
ILTM Cannes
WHERE: Cannes – France
WHEN: 6th – 9th December 2021
ILTM Cannes is the flagship International Luxury Travel Market event, where the very best global buyers can network with providers of the most luxurious experiences. Over four days of high-quality pre-scheduled appointments, educational sessions, networking, parties and invaluable exposure, guests can end the year with an incredibly informative conference that is also known for its luxury touches.
Future Travel Experience
WHERE: ARIA Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada – USA
WHEN: 7 – 9 December 2021
At Future Travel Experience Global, representatives from airlines, airports and all other stakeholder groups gather to discuss the future of travel and how the passenger experience can be developed. It’s a collection of some of the most forward-thinking minds in air travel, and is making the most of a hybrid format this year by broadcasting the event online as well as making it open to visitors in person.
January
WHERE: London – United Kingdom
WHEN: 18th – 19th January 2022
This is the UK’s only travel trade event dedicated to travel experiences off the beaten track.
Fitur
WHERE: Madrid – Spain
WHEN: 19th – 23rd January 2022
Fitur was one of the first tourism conferences in the world and remains an excellent meeting point for people in the travel industry with over 200,000 attendees from 165 countries. You also get the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful city during the conference, which is a real bonus.
WHERE: Helsinki – Finland
WHEN: 21st – 23rd January 2022
The MATKA Nordic Travel Fair is the largest travel industry event in Northern Europe. The event is partnering with Greece this year, giving attendees the chance to learn about the diversity of Greek destinations, learn about the rich history from ancient times and discover stunning nature destinations and activities on offer to visitors.
Alpe-Adria
WHERE: Ljubljana – Slovenia
WHEN: 26th – 29th January 2022
The Alpe-Adria is an international conference for green and active tourism and camping and caravanning, held in the beautiful countryside of Slovenia. This event is a great opportunity for networking with those from the Alps-Adriatic region and has a focus on sustainability and green tourism that many businesses will benefit from learning more about.
March
Women’s Travel Fest
WHERE: Portland, Oregan – USA
WHEN: 4th – 6th March 2022
The purpose of Women’s Travel Fest is to empower, inspire and celebrate solo travel for women. It’s an incredibly popular event in the industry that offers women in the travel industry a unique chance to network with other professionals just like them, and is usually an event that sells out completely, so make sure you get your tickets quickly.
ITB Berlin
WHERE: Berlin – Germany
WHEN: 9th – 13th March 2022
At ITB Berlin, products and services from over 180 countries are showcased at one of the world’s leading travel trade shows. The conference will take place in person in Berlin on the above dates, but there will also be an additional online event held afterwards for anyone who was unable to attend in Germany.
AIME
WHERE: Melbourne – Australia
WHEN: 21st – 23rd March 2022
The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) allows for those involved in organising business travel, meetings, incentives and events to meet. It’s the leading trade event for the meetings and event industry and is ideal for any business or individual who works in the business travel industry.
GBTA – Toronto
WHERE: Toronto, Ontario – Canada
WHEN: 28th – 29th March 2022
Over 900 professionals attend the Global Business Travel Association Conference every year. It’s the biggest event in Canada for business travel and meetings management professionals with over 75 exhibitors and plenty of opportunities to connect with others in the industry from Canada and internationally.
April
ILTM – Africa
WHERE: Cape Town – South Africa
WHEN: 11th – 13th April 2022
International Luxury Travel Market Africa is where luxury travel buyers and professionals can find out about Africa’s leading luxury experiences. It’s an invitation-only event where top travel agents can network and find build business connections, and is well worth getting yourself invited to if you can.
World Travel Market – Africa
WHERE: Cape Town – South Africa
WHEN: 11th – 13th April 2022
For those interested in the African travel industry, this is the best place to learn about the latest developments in this area. WTM Africa is the leading and only B2B exhibition in the country, aimed at both inbound and outbound travel and tourism markets. The conference presents a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to South African, African and International travel professionals, and next year is being held in Cape Town.
Travel Classics
WHERE: Lausanne – Switzerland
WHEN: April 24th – 27th 2022
Travel Classics International is an event that is perfect for journalists looking to expand their professional network and gain more travel writing skills. The event has been scheduled to take place in April 2022, and the waitlist is now open for those who would like to get a place at the conference and writing retreat.
The Advantage Conference
WHERE: Madeira, Portugal
WHEN: 29th April – 2nd May 2022
The Advantage Conference is one of the best events for travel professionals who are looking for an opportunity to really learn from others in the industry. This conference will challenge your thinking and you’ll certainly leave feeling inspired, with highlights such as celebrity speakers, workshops and networking events.
May
Arabian Travel Market – Dubai
WHERE: Dubai – United Arab Emirates
WHEN: 8th – 11th May 2022
If you’re interested in doing business with the Middle East, then you can find out what’s new in the Arabian Travel Market at this conference. It’s the leading event for businesses looking for travel opportunities within the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism.
Women in Travel Summit – North America
WHERE: Kansas City, Missouri – USA
WHEN: 13th – 15th May 2022
True to its name, the Women in Travel Summit is an event by women in the travel industry, for women in the travel industry. This conference is aimed at both creators in the travel industry and entrepreneurs or professionals who work for travel businesses and want to network as well as hearing from leading industry professionals.
June
ProcureCon Travel 2022
WHERE: 13th – 14th June 2022
WHEN: Omni Rancho Las Palmas, Rancho Mirage, California, USA
ProcureCon Travel is the leading travel procurement conference designed to help travel sourcing executives better manage their corporate travel program and spend. With interactive workshops, innovative keynotes and intimate networking sessions, you’ll be equipped with the tools and tactics to take you beyond cost savings. ProcureCon is built for practitioners, by practitioners – whether you’re a CPO or a rising star, a large or small spend company, ProcureCon has content and built-in connections to ensure your long term sourcing success.
World Domination Summit
WHERE: Portland, Oregon – USA
WHEN: 21st – 26th June 2022
This event was first organised by a collection of people seeking to answer the question ‘How do we live a remarkable life in a conventional world?’. Attended by people from over 40 countries, the World Domination Summit is an opportunity to meet other people with an interest in travel, and have a unique and unconventional weekend.
TMAC
WHERE: Yarmouth, Nova Scotia – Canada
WHEN: 22nd – 26th June 2022
The Travel Media Association of Canada Conference and Annual General Meeting has been organised in Nova Scotia in 2022 and is an event where Candian travel experts and professionals gather to discuss the state of the industry and make progress as well as new business connections.
Phocuswright Europe
WHERE: Amsterdam – The Netherlands
WHEN: 27th – 29th June 2022
Head to Amsterdam next summer for the Phocuswright Europe conference to listen to travel leaders and influencers, and learn about where new innovations will be taking the future of travel. Influence travel specialists mingle with brand leaders and creators at this event, hosting talks, discussions, debates and workshops.
September 2022
Digital Travel 2022
WHERE: Hilton San Diego Bayfront
WHEN: 19th – 20th September 2022
Digital Travel is a leading interactive conference for travel executives that are looking to reimagine the customer journey. The top minds from hotels, OTAs, airlines, transportation companies, and everything in-between, all gather at this conference to share practical insight on how to enhance personalization in marketing and improve their online strategies for better cross-channel customer experiences.
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