Thousands of domestic tour operators, travel organisers and agencies from across Britain and Ireland will be heading to Birmingham for the British Tourism & Travel Show this week.

Doors open this Wednesday (10am, 20 March) at NEC Birmingham with around 2700 expected attendees – hoping to meet, explore and secure million-pound business deals with over 270 leading destinations, hotels, transport providers, associations and DMOs in the UK and Europe.

AC Tours, JAC Travel, Thomas Cook, JET, Albatross Travel Group, TUI UK, Bakers Dolphin, Expedia, British Airways Holiday, Eurostar, City Sightseeing Worldwide, Greatdays Travel Group, Hidden Retreats, Majestic Travel, Mermaid Holidays, National Express, Norman Allen Group Travel, Railtrail Tours, Saga Group, Royal Britain, Secret Escapes, Shearings Holidays, Travel England Tours, Travelzoo, Wonder Travel, and Worley Coaches are just some of the leading travel companies preparing to attend.

“BTTS is a great show highlighting the best of British tourism, giving a great opportunity to meet attractions and customers and catch up on what is going on in the tourism world,” says Roger Bailey from Blue Badge Tourist Guide.

Unmissable show features

Returning regional pavilions include: Visit Scotland – who are celebrating the ‘Year of Coasts & Waters’ in 2020, whilst Visit Wales will be promoting its ‘Year of Discovery’ with a new trio of national touring routes all about contrast, discovery and framing the diverse geography of the country.

The Destination Europe area – representing a raft of visitor attractions, tours, hotels and cruises from Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, France and more – is ideal for those who plan and book tours and brochures for British and International tourists.  Exhibitors include: Europlan, Eurotours, Heineken Experience Amsterdam, Henry Willig Cheese Farms, ITO Tours, Keukenhof – Holland, Lovers Canal Cruises, Memorial de Caen Museum Mons Tourist Office, Swarovski Crystal Worlds, and Worldwide Attractions.

To view the full exhibitor list, please visit www.tourismshow.co.uk/who-exhibits.

Visitors can once again sample classic cuisines across the UK in the exciting food and drink trail which includes whiskey tasting with Visit Wales (stand A10); sparkling wine on the Carden Park hotel stand (A9); Welsh Cakes with Dwr Cymru Welsh Water; Clovelly fudge on stand E33; and Cave matured cheese with Longleat and Cheddar Gorge & Caves (stand D46).  The full food and drink trail map will be supplied in the show guide.

Trends, tips and panel discussions

Big name speakers from across the UK will once again be sharing essential trends, tips, and discussions on various topics across group tourism and domestic travel.  Highlights include (in running order):

Wednesday 20 March

-Nick Hall, CEO of Destination Tourism Think Tank: Destination Trends, crafting experience though story
-Adam Milbank, director of Jonas Millbank: Learning how to show your uniqueness – “how to create video content with personality”.
-John Johnson, commercial director of Johnsons Coach Travel: Opportunities and Challenges for Coach Operators and Attraction Providers
-The Tourism Question Time panel:

Facilitated by Sean Taggart, non-executive director of The Albatross Group, the panel includes Mark Sowersby, deputy MD of Thisaway; Helen Bowron, communications director at The Coach Tourism Association; and Angela Heaton, managing director of AC Group.

  • Meredith Almond; senior strategist at Sparkloft Media: Engagement is Silver, Data is Gold.

Thursday 21 March

-Tony Berry, visitor experience director at National Trust: The National Trust: the same, but different
-Question Time: The Evolving World of Group Travel, sponsored by AGTO
-In discussion with Simon Calder, senior travel editor of The Independent, TV and radio broadcaster
-Debbie Marshall, Silver Travel Advisor: Travel Trends for the Over 50’s.

Free trade registration ends soon

British Tourism and Travel Show takes place at the NEC Birmingham on 20-21 March 2019 (open from 10am to 4pm on Wednesday and Thursday).  The show is free to attend for pre-registered trade visitors and relevant press representatives only.  Advance online registration closes at midnight on Tuesday 19 March, after which a £25 door charge may apply.

For more information and to register for a free trade ticket, please visit www.tourismshow.co.uk (direct link: https://eventdata.uk/Visitor/BTTS2019.aspx?TrackingCode=BTTS140).

 

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