Following
the success of the first ILTM Americas in
Mexico earlier this month, International Luxury
Travel Market(ILTM)
– organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions –
has announced that it will be launching a similar event in South
Africanext year: ILTM Africa.
Taking
place on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 April 2013 at one of Cape Town’s
landmark hotels, The Mount Nelson, ILTM Africa will be a unique event
where all suppliers will represent luxury travel experiences
from the African continent, meeting with hosted luxury
travel buyers and agents from the most significant - as well as
key emerging – global luxury travel markets.
This is a new format for ILTM: its other regional events (ILTM Asia
and ILTM Americas) invite exhibitors from across the
world to meet with invited buyers from the
specific region.
Alison
Gilmore, Reed Travel Exhibitions, ILTM Exhibition Director
commented, “The success of ILTM Americas proved just how
hungry the luxury travel market is to continually seek
new experiences. Africa holds some of the world’s greatest
wilderness areas, richest cultures and
most awe-inspiring wildlife – it is full of life from the tops of
the mountains to the depths of the oceans. ILTM Africa will offer a
specific platform for this breathtaking continent to show the world’s
most influential luxury travel buyers the full range of its
many authentic experiences.”
ILTM
Africa will be a one-to-one summit, matching mutual requests from
buyers and exhibitors alike to meet on a strict one-to-one ratio.
Following the traditional ILTM format, both buyers and exhibitors
must follow a strict accreditation process in order to participate.
The event will begin with an Opening Forum that reflects key trends
and issues, both locally and globally, involving movers and shakers
from global luxury travel in a series of interviews and
debates.
Alison
Gilmore continued, “Since announcing the launch of ILTM Africa, we
have been inundated with interest from across the continent,
including both the established and the newer, independent operators.
Each has commented on how delighted they are that there is now a
dedicated platform enabling them to present themselves to those that
represent the most discerning of the world’s luxury travellers.
ILTM is about addressing the luxury travel needs of both
buyers and suppliers and in bringing the variety of this incredible,
diverse continent to the forefront of the luxury travelworld,
ILTM Africa is an unmissable opportunity for those that are able to
attend.”
Yvan
Vermeesch, Managing
Director of XO Private added, "ILTM always
stands for carefully selected hosted buyers, only the finest
exhibitors, a most successful appointment-driven show format, an
excellent appointment setting system, great networking events and a
knowledgeable management team that perfectly understands the luxury
travelindustry. It should thus come as no surprise that
our XO Private Members are always keen to participate in all ILTM
shows around the globe. We expect nothing different from ILTM Africa
and look forward to participating in this exciting new show with a
prominent XO Private presence."