Spas to take centre stage at ILTM

ILTM will introduce the dedicated area as a space for specialist spa travel companies to meet “international innovators in spa and wellness” and the move comes in line with a general growth in spa and wellness travel, predicted to further grow by 55% before 2017.

Alison Gilmore, senior exhibition director, ILTM Portfolio, said: “Agents from the UK who specialise in designing luxury leisure programmes with a specific interest in spa and wellness travel are invited to register their interest in attending ILTM as soon as possible. Overall, we aim to welcome 30% new buyers to the event this year.”

ILTM is also offering an exclusive package to a limited number of dedicated spa suppliers interested in the new focus at the show.

Gilmore added the show would see many new participants from Italy, Turkey, Spain and France. Asia – and specifically India - and South America also feature more strongly, Gilmore said, as do new products from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the Middle East.

Gilmore said: “This year’s event promises to be the biggest ever, with luxury suppliers from more than 70 countries attending to meet the most discerning of the world’s luxury travel buyers.”

She added that more than 1,400 luxury travel buyers were set to attend this year’s ILTM.

The ILTM Opening Forum will explore the increasing importance of customer service, customer experience as well as behavioural economics - where psychology meets economics – and their impact on the luxury travel industry.

The annual event takes place November 30-December 3 and UK buyers who wish to attend should contact gareth.baguley@reedexpo.co.uk before the end of September.

Meanwhile, a wellness lounge introduced at WTM London for the first time this year has already sold out.