Premier Group Travel Trade Show Returns to NEC Birmingham on 20-21 March

The British Tourism & Travel Show, the group travel sector’s largest annual event, is set to make a triumphant return to the NEC Birmingham on 20 – 21 March. With an emphasis on inspiring memory-making group travel itineraries, this year’s edition boasts an impressive lineup. Over 200 leading attractions, destinations, hotels, and venues, including more than 50 new exhibitors, will be showcasing the best of the UK and Ireland.

Says regular attendee and day one speaker Jason Edwards (Owner, Jason Edwards Travel Ltd): “The British Tourism & Travel Show is a showcase of the best of the best across the UK and Ireland. It’s hugely important to the industry – for trade and operators.”

Keynote Programme Takes Center Stage

A major highlight of the two-day show is its renowned, free-to-attended seminar programme. The keynote theatre will play host to experts and inspirational speakers who will inform and enhance coach tour operator and group travel organiser’s tour plans.

Industry experts will delve into current trends, emerging technologies, market insights, and opportunities facing the travel trade today. Attendees can expect to take away invaluable insights from leaders such as Visit England, Euromonitor International, Navigate, the Association of Group Travel Organisers (AGTO), the Coach Tourism Association (CTA), and more.

Keynote Highlights: Wednesday 20 March

11 – 11.30am: Visit England. Visitors will be updated on the latest developments and initiatives in England’s tourism landscape, gaining a valuable overview for tour plans.

12 – 12.30pm: Destination UK: Traveller Trends & Types. Alexander Göransson, Senior Consultant at Euromonitor International, will share its latest forecasts for trips and spending, and insights into 8 different traveller types, before delving into the Luxury traveller as an opportunity for the UK.

1.30 – 2pm: Marketing Trends for Growth & Positive Impact. With up-to-date insights and data taken from across the industry and its portfolio of over 50 diverse tourism brands, Navigate’s CEO Anthony Rawlins will address real-time challenges, consumer behaviour trends, and key principles for tourism brands to ensure success in 2024.

2.30 – 3pm: Changing Customer Expectations. Customers’ expectations for day trips and holidays have reached unprecedented levels. Stuart Render (Owner, Stuart Render Tourism), David Blake (Managing Director, Blakes Coaches), Jason Edwards (Owner, Jason Edwards Travel), and Amanda Harrington (Sales and Marketing Director, Bakers Dolphin) will delve into the discussion. The speakers will draw on their experiences to explore how coach tour operators, hoteliers, attractions, and suppliers are adapting to these changing expectations.

Keynote Highlights: Thursday 21 March

11 – 11.30am: Changing Expectations in Group Travel. AGTO panellists, including Stuart Render (Owner, Stuart Render Tourism), Colin Duncan (Founder, Dunwood Holiday Group) and Catherine Skeggs (Group Travel organiser) 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.

12 – 12.30pm: Supercharge your business: the value of B2B networking through trade association membership. Organised by the CTA, this session features coach tour operators, wholesalers and attraction members discussing the value of belonging to a trade association membership. They will be discussing the ample networking opportunities that membership provides, which can lead to new partnerships and business growth. Panelists include Robert Shaw (Director, Harry Shaw, and CTA Chair), Jennifer Cormack (Sales and Marketing Director, Windermere Lake Cruises), Shaun Read (Managing Director, Ashley & Newey) and Tim Southby (Director, Heathside Travel).

Further keynotes are yet to be unveiled, promising more valuable insights for the travel trade industry.

New Exhibitors and Familiar Faces

The exhibitor lineup is set to be a feast for the senses, featuring stalwart brands such as Continuum Attractions, CroisiEurope, Cumbria Tourism, Daniel Twaites Hotels & Spas, Holiday Ireland Hotels, Longleat, Tourism Ireland, Visit Devon, Visit Liverpool, Visit Wales and many more.

Newcomers including Bouden Coach Travel, Didcot Railway, Dolphin Spirit Inverness, Knowsley Safari, MammaMia! The Party, the Museum of Cider, Quest Liverpool Apartment Hotel, Skipton Town Council, Thursford Collection, Visit Derby, Visit Essex and Waterside Hotels join the fold, contributing to a diverse and dynamic showcase of the UK and Irelands best offerings.

Says Chris Owens, Managing Director at Alpine Travel: “By attending the British Tourism & Travel Show, we are able to explore new possibilities which in turn creates opportunities of the future.”

‘More content, more ideas’

Alongside the hundreds of exhibitors and engaging keynote sessions, visitors can indulge in the Food and Drink Trail, and sample local delicacies from around the country to spark inspiration for food-focused tours. The event also provides ample networking opportunities with industry professionals, offering a chance to glean insights and share experiences.

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 renowned, new, and unique places to visit around the country. 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 trade and group travel organisers

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.

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Media Enquiries:
Jacqui Trayford, Marketing Manager
t: +44 (0)1733 405749
e: [email protected]
Website: www.tourismshow.co.uk
Twitter: www.twitter.com/tourism_show
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TourismTravelShow
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/british-tourism-travel-show/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/btts_tourismshow/

Christina Glenister, Marketing Director
t: +44 (0)1733 889690
e: [email protected]

Event enquiries:
Lloyd Jones, Event Manager
t: +44 (0)1733 889 684
e: [email protected]

Helen Conway, Group Event Director
e: [email protected]

About the Organiser:
Diversified Communications UK Ltd (Diversified UK) is a fast-growing trade event organiser and publisher based in Brighton. Diversified UK’s transport & travel portfolio includes Euro Bus Expo; routeone magazine; routeone Awards and the British Tourism & Travel Show. For more information, visit: www.divcom.co.uk.

Diversified UK is part of Diversified Communications, a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities and digital and print publications. As producers of these market-leading products Diversified Communications connects, educates and strengthens business communities in over 15 industries including: food and beverage, healthcare, natural and organic, business management and technology. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA with divisions and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately held, third generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit: www.divcom.com.