British Tourism & Travel Show 2018 is widely regarded to have been one of the best editions yet.
With a 10% visitor increase on 2017 to 2,866 attendees, the show proved itself to be the leading event for travel trade professionals to meet and do business.
Show Director David Maguire says: “The buzz on site was electric this year, with an array of pop-up entertainment surprising visitors, coupled with over 270 exhibiting companies.
“Visitor numbers reached a record high, and we can’t wait to get to work on the next edition.”
Show visitor Geoff Allen, Director at Travallen Travel & Events, says: “The show was a great way to source new ideas, make new contacts, put names to faces and catch up with long standing and current contacts.”
The new Destination Europe area was a success, with many applauding the range of exhibitors from other countries, providing inspiration and new ideas for international tours.
The highlights also included the new Food and Drink Trail, which allowed visitors to sample treats from across the British Isles. Influenced by history and heritage, the trail included traditional food and drink products like Cornish fudge, Scottish whisky and Irish whiskey, Welshcakes, British Cassis and Exeter Gin.
The Keynote speaker programme was once again a roaring success, with Angela Rippon warmly welcomed as the headline act.
She says: “At BTTS, I think it’s wonderful to see so much opportunity for travel in one place. You’ve got everything here covering the entire spectrum of what people are going to be able to afford, from the inexpensive to the very glamorous and expensive – and everything in between.
“We do live on a wonderful island; we have a number of coastlines, amazing beaches, great cities, and a wonderful countryside.”
BTTS will return to the NEC on 20-21 March 2019.
