Premier group tourism & travel trade show returns, with over 50 new exhibitors on board showcasing the best of UK and Ireland
The British Tourism & Travel Show returns to the NEC Birmingham on 20 – 21 March, with over 50 new exhibitors confirmed to enhance the group travel sector’s biggest annual event. More than 200 leading attractions, destinations, hotels and venues will be exhibiting to inspire coach tour planners with the best of Britain and Ireland. The event gives visitors an unrivalled chance to taste local delicacies, network with like-minded industry professionals and learn from expert speakers, as well as gaining lots of ideas for unique tours and excursions.
An unmissable opportunity
The exhibitor lineup is set to impress once again. Action Tours, Albatross Travel, Best Western Hotel Group, City Cruises, Continuum Attractions, Devon’s Top Attractions, Eurotunnel, Forth Boat Tours, Holkham, Nevis Range, Norman Allen Group Travel are just some of the brands returning for another year. While Cala Hotels, Cotswold Tourism, Dolphin Spirit Inverness, Ecclesborne Valley Railway, Hereford Cathedral, Isle of Man Tourism, Longleat, Scampston Hall & Walled Garden, The Hop Pocket Shopping Village, Visit Colchester, Visit Derby, Visit Essex and Visit Tamar Valley are just a few of the new exhibitors onboard.
Regular attendee David Evans, CEO at D & D Travel, says: “The British Tourism & Travel Show is an important date on the trade show calendar for tour operators and buyers. The show offers a wide range of exhibitors, and it provides an excellent opportunity to meet new and existing suppliers in one place.”
Visitors will not only gain plenty of ideas for unique tours and excursions from exhibitors. They will also be inspired by tasting local delicacies in the Food and Drink trail, networking with like-minded professionals and learning from the experience and expertise of others.
Chris Lodge, Director at Lodge Coaches, adds: “I have attended the British Tourism & Travel Show for many years. The content is a valuable resource and the main contributor toward my yearly tour brochure.”
Keynote speakers
Once again, the show’s Keynote Theatre will feature big names in tourism sharing their wisdom with coach tour planners and group travel organisers. They’ll cover everything from trends, tips, technology, research, and opportunities facing the travel trade today.
WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH
1100– 1130hrs
Visit England
Visitors will be updated on the latest developments and initiatives in England’s tourism landscape, gaining a valuable overview for tour plans.
1200 – 1230hrs
Destination UK: Traveller Trends & Types
Speaker: Alexander Göransson, Senior Consultant, Euromonitor International
Hear Euromonitor’s latest forecast for the number of trips and spending on UK domestic and UK inbound and, briefly, UK outbound. Euromonitor have identified 8 different traveller types, ranging from leisure seekers, adventurers to cultural explorers. Which are the largest in the UK and its key source markets? Alexander will then dig deeper into the luxury traveller as an opportunity for the UK as a destination.
1330 – 1400hrs
Marketing Trends for Growth & Positive Impact
Speaker: Anthony Rawlins, CEO, Navigate
Navigate has developed a reputation for growing visitors, income and impact for tourism brands across the UK and globally. Ant Rawlins will be exploring the real-time challenges facing tourism brands today. The trends shaping consumer behaviour and the key principles tourism businesses should embrace and act upon in order to be successful. With up-to-date insights and data taken from across the industry and their portfolio of over 50 diverse tourism brands, this talk seeks to provide the advice and tactics your tourism brand should be deploying to secure a successful 2024.
1430 – 1500hrs
Changing Customer Expectations
Speakers:
- Stuart Render, Stuart Render Tourism
- David Blake, Managing Director, Blakes Coaches
- Jason Edwards, Owner, Jason Edwards Travel
- Amanda Harrington, Sales and Marketing Director, Bakers Dolphin
When it comes to day trips and holidays, customers’ expectations have never been higher. But how are coach tour operators adapting to and managing those changing expectations? Are hoteliers, visitor attractions and tourism suppliers adapting too? Three leading coach tour operators reveal their own experiences in this challenging market.
THURSDAY 21 MARCH
1100 – 1130hrs
Changing Expectations in group travel
Speakers:
- Stuart Render, Stuart Render Tourism
- Wendy Hartley-Scarff, CEO, AGTO
- Colin Duncan, Retired Founder/Owner/Director of Dunwood Holiday Group
Panelists from the Association of Group Travel Organisers will discuss how group travel expectations are evolving. They will discuss how suppliers are changing their group products and how the behaviours of group travel organisers are changing as a result.
1200 – 1230hrs
AI Marketing for Tourism, Travel & Hospitality
Speaker: Manu Kastia, Founder and Head of Strategy, Digital Dialog
Whether you’re looking to gain a beginner’s understanding of what AI marketing is and how it can benefit your business, or a marketer who already uses AI tools but not sure where and how to start implementing AI across your team or company, this presentation will provide you with a basic understanding of :
- How AI is redefining marketing
- Common uses cases of AI in marketing
- How AI can create better traveller experiences
- How to take the first steps to implementing AI within your marketing activities
- The tools and technologies available today.
1330 – 1400hrs
Supercharge your business: the value of B2B networking through trade association membership
Speakers:
- Robert Shaw, Director, Harry Shaw and CTA Chair
- Jennifer Cormack, Sales & Marketing Director, Windermere Lake Cruises
- Shaun Read, Managing Director, Ashley & Newey
- Tim Southby, Director, Heathside Travel
The session, organised by Coach Tourism Association, will feature some of its coach tour operators, wholesalers and attractions members talking about the value of belonging to a trade association and taking an active part in all the business networking opportunities it provides.
More content, more ideas
Event Manager Lloyd Jones says: “The British Tourism & Travel Show has proved itself year after year as a key event for providing the group tourism industry with ideas for their upcoming itineraries.
“Visitors can once again immerse themselves in this two-day showcase, gaining inspiration from big names in the industry. Among them will be over 50 new exhibitors, so there’s even more great content and new ideas to explore this year.”
Free registration for coach operators
British Tourism & Travel Show is taking place at the NEC Birmingham on 20-21 March 2024. For more information and to register for a free ticket, visit www.tourismshow.co.uk.
